Released in 1990, Predator 2 is a science fiction action-horror film produced by 20th Century Fox, Silver Pictures, Gordon Company, and Davis Entertainment. Directed by Stephen Hopkins, the film features actors Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Ruben Blades, Maria Conchita Alonso, and Bill Paxton in lead roles. The movie is a sequel to the critically acclaimed film Predator and brings back the mysterious extraterrestrial creature, the Predator, who wreaks havoc in the city instead of the usual jungle setting. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive synopsis and review of Predator 2.
Synopsis
The movie is set in Los Angeles in the year 1997, where two drug cartels from different countries, Colombia and Jamaica, are engaged in a violent turf war. Lt. Michael Harrigan (played by Danny Glover) and his team arrive at the scene to control the situation. Unbeknownst to them, the Predator is silently watching from the shadows. Michael manages to save two of his team members who were shot during the chaos as he repels the Colombia gang.
As the Colombia gang is forced to retreat, they seek refuge in their own territory. It is here where the Predator makes its first appearance by attacking and killing the entire gang in a brutal fashion. Michael, along with detectives Leona Cantrell and Danny Archuleta, ignores orders to return to their headquarters and investigates the scene. They discover that the Jamaica gang had killed all the Colombia gang members that had partaken in a gunfight, but the bodies were later skinned by the Predator.
Michael is still in denial about the Predator’s existence, attributing it to his exhaustion and acrophobia. He is then summoned by his superiors, and they introduce him to Peter Keyes and Jerry Lambert. Keyes is a special agent investigating the Jamaica and Colombia gang wars, while Lambert is a police officer assigned to Michael’s team.
The Jamaica gang kills the Colombia gang’s leader, but they are killed by the Predator. Michael reaches the crime scene and witnesses a similar skinning of the Jamaica gang members’ bodies. Angered, Michael seeks to bring the killer to justice.
During forensic examination, the team discovers that the weapon used to kill Danny had a chemical element unlisted on the periodic table. Michael seeks answers from King Willie, a Jamaica crime boss skilled in voodoo. Willie reveals that the killer is a supernatural being and warns Michael to prepare for a confrontation.
Shortly after meeting with Michael, Willie is killed by the Predator. Michael gathers his team at a warehouse to plan their next move. Cantrell and Lambert take a train to meet Michael, but the train is attacked by the Predator, causing numerous casualties. Cantrell survives the attack, but it is later revealed that she is pregnant.
Michael arrives at the incident site and is confronted by Keyes, who informs him that the perpetrator is an extraterrestrial creature. The Predator possesses a device that can detect prey through heat and can camouflage itself. Keyes also reveals that such an entity had previously attacked a group of soldiers in a jungle in America ten years ago.
How will Michael confront the Predator?
Review
Predator 2, besides being a sequel to the critically acclaimed predecessor, makes a valiant effort to stand on its own. The movie offers a more complex and layered storyline than its predecessor, with multiple plot points involving bureaucratic complications and conflicts between various parties. The action sequences are intense, and the cinematography offers an authentic representation of a dystopian Los Angeles in 1997.
Danny Glover delivers an impressive performance as the lead, Lt. Michael Harrigan, and is aptly supported by a capable cast. The film introduces some new twists to the Predator’s mythology, making it an intriguing watch for fans of the franchise. The creature is depicted just as brutally and sadistically as in the first movie, and its predatory instincts are well-captured.
However, like its predecessor, Predator 2 lags behind in terms of character depth. Even though Michael Harrigan is given some character development, it is not fully explored, and the other characters are relegated to the background.
Conclusion
Predator 2 may not have achieved the same level of success as the first movie, but it is still an entertaining watch for fans of the franchise. The storyline is intriguing, and the Predator is just as terrifying and brutal as ever. However, the movie falls short in terms of character development, which hinders the overall impact of the film.
