English Title: Alien vs. Predator
Movie Title: Alien vs. Predator
Year: 2004
Country: USA/Canada/Czech Republic/Germany/UK
Category: Horror/Thriller/Action/Sci-fi
Language: English
Subtitles: English
Duration: 01:42:10
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Cast: Tommy Flanagan as Mark Verheiden
Colin Salmon as Maxwell Stafford
Lance Henriksen as Charles Bishop Weyland
Ewen Bremner as Graeme Miller
Jan Pavel Filipensky as Boris (as Jan Filipensky)
Adrian Bouchet as Sven
Sanaa Lathan as Alexa Woods
Raoul Bova as Sebastian de Rosa
Joseph Rye as Joe Connors
Agathe De La Boulaye as Adele Rousseau
Carsten Norgaard as Rusten Quinn
Sam Troughton as Thomas Parks
Petr Jákl as Stone
Pavel Bezdek as Bass
Kieran Bew as Klaus
Carsten Voigt as Mikkel
Andy Lucas as Juan Ramirez
Liz May Brice as Supervisor
Glenn Conroy as Technician
Eoin McCarthy as Karl
Karima Adebibe as Sacrificial Maiden
Ian Whyte as Scar
Tom Woodruff Jr. as Grid
Synopsis:
Plot:
A mysterious pyramid is discovered beneath the Antarctic ice layer. Industrial tycoon Charles Bishop Weyland (Lance Henriksen) organizes an expedition team of archaeologists, scientists, and security experts led by adventurer Alexa Woods (Sanaa Lathan), nicknamed "Law." They venture into the frozen continent at the southern end of the Earth. After descending over 2000 meters into the ice, they find that the pyramid blends Aztec, Egyptian, and Cambodian cultures. The advanced technology inside indicates that some extraterrestrial beings have been visiting this place for thousands of years. As they are astonished, the pyramid doors suddenly close without warning, trapping everyone inside the labyrinthine structure. A terrifying truth emerges: the alien species "Predator" has imprisoned another extraterrestrial being, the "Alien Queen," here. Every 100 years, the queen lays embryonic eggs, and young Predators fight the offspring of Aliens to complete their "rite of passage." The ultimate battle between these two alien species ensues, and regardless of who wins, we lose.
Behind the Scenes:
[Alien + Predator]
In 1979, 20th Century Fox released Ridley Scott's "Alien," which not only received widespread acclaim but also ushered in a new era of science fiction films, becoming an undisputed classic. Subsequently, "Alien 2," "Alien 3," and "Alien 4" directed by James Cameron, David Fincher, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet respectively were also released. In 1987, Fox created the Predator from outer space, once again captivating audiences with its unconventional and violent sci-fi storyline, leading to sequels. A quarter of a century later, Fox combined the Alien and Predator into one movie, "Alien vs. Predator," which became one of the most anticipated transformations in the history of science fiction films.
The idea of bringing "Alien vs. Predator" to life on the big screen took nearly 10 years to develop. Fox was undecided among various storylines until director and screenwriter Paul Anderson presented his concept. Producer John Davis said, "Over the years, I've heard stories from more than 40 screenwriters. When Paul came to us with his story, he placed humans in the middle of the conflict between Aliens and Predators, and we were completely captivated."
Anderson recalls, "About nine years ago, just for fun, I had the idea of making a movie where Aliens and Predators would face off. At that time, I was taking my debut film 'Criminal Justice' to the Sundance Film Festival, and I never thought I'd ever make a movie like AVP."
"Eight years later," Anderson continued, "Fox started planning to make such a movie and invited me for a meeting. Our ideas coincided perfectly, and this time I knew I wouldn't miss the opportunity to realize my dream." According to producer Davis, finding a director who was very familiar with both Aliens and Predators was crucial, and as a super fan of both franchises, Anderson had watched these movies hundreds of times. He could recite any scene from memory, and his enthusiasm made him the ideal choice for directing the film.
To ensure the plot aligned logically with the development of previous "Alien" and "Predator" films, Anderson carefully searched his memory for every detail. For instance, in "Predator 2," the Predator's trophy collection included an Alien skull, suggesting a previous encounter between the two species. Anderson designed the Predators as beings who had visited Earth thousands of years ago, revered as gods, and profoundly influenced certain ancient civilizations like the Aztecs and Mayans, aligning with the interior design of the spaceship in "Predator 2."
At the same time, Anderson also created characters closely related to the "Alien" films, such as industrial tycoon Charles Bishop Weyland (played by Lance Henriksen, who appeared in "Alien 2" and "Alien 3"). Alien fans will surely recognize Bishop Weyland; Bishop was the android priest in "Alien 2" and "Alien 3," while Weyland came from the unfortunate company in the first "Alien" that sent people to search for the Alien. Anderson said, "Weyland made a fortune in high-tech enterprises and is the father of modern robotics technology. Therefore, the android priest created 150 years later retained his likeness."
[Alien VS Predator]
The life of an Alien begins with an egg laid by the Queen, containing an eight-legged creature that attaches itself to a suitable host when the time comes, implants an embryo inside the host, and then bursts out as a snake-like juvenile before shedding its skin and growing into a fierce and terrifying adult.
Claws: The Alien's claws are extremely sharp and often used to tear apart prey.
Tail: The sharp tail is also a highly lethal weapon, causing death or injury wherever it strikes.
Teeth: Bright and sharp, usually you can't see an Alien closing its mouth, so these teeth are quite intimidating.
Inner Teeth: Stronger than the outer teeth, with a hardness comparable to diamonds, capable of biting through metal.
Wall-Climbing: This is actually a skill of the Alien, allowing it to walk on walls and ceilings using its claws, surprising its opponents unexpectedly.
Acidic Blood: This yellow acid is highly corrosive, equivalent to the Alien's blood, which it won't use unless absolutely necessary.
Predators prefer to operate alone, hunting being their sole pleasure. Each Predator chooses its favorite weapons and style to hunt its prey. However, they generally consider killing humans to be the most challenging, and engaging in close combat with intelligent humans is worthwhile. The two most famous encounters between humans and Predators occurred in the jungles of Vietnam and Los Angeles, resulting in heavy human casualties each time.
Wrist Blades: A pair of sharp wrist blades on the Predator's forearms that can extend and retract at will, mainly used for close combat but offer no protection against strong acids.
Bone Knife: More accurately, a dagger made from Alien bones, typically used to skin and dismember Aliens.
Spear: A multi-functional spear similar to a fishing spear, versatile in combat whether near or far.
Self-Destruct Bomb: With power comparable to a small atomic bomb, it's the Predator's first choice when running low on strength.
Shoulder Cannon: Located on the Predator's back shoulder, powered by an electrical device on the shoulder, equipped with laser aiming capabilities.
Disc: Shaped like a pair of axes, sturdy and sharp, capable of penetrating concrete and returning to the Predator's hand.
Boomerang: Developed from the disc, a sword-toothed boomerang will replace the disc in this film.
Net Gun: A pistol that fires a metal net, which not only traps prey but can even penetrate their bodies to kill them.
Wrist Rocket: A rocket launcher attached to the wrist, capable of destroying anything if using the original ammunition.
Self-Medical Kit: Contains various medical devices for healing wounds and restoring strength.
Invisibility: The most typical function of the Predator, but it cannot stop the pheromones produced during movement and lacks waterproofing (appears when wet).
Mask: Can receive multiple spectrums, most famously known for tracking humans using infrared, though it's unknown what method is used to track Aliens.
Mesh Bodysuit: Allows Predators to withstand high temperatures, but humans can trace their movements when they move.