|
Alien vs. Predator (also known as AVP) is a motion picture released in 2004 by 20th Century Fox and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. It is based both on several series of Alien vs. Predator comic books published by Dark Horse Comics and on the Alien and Predator films which spawned the original characters. The release of the film marks the two species' first shared appearance in a motion picture.
The concept of pitting the two creatures against one another has its roots in the Dark Horse Comics. Stan Winston also hinted at a crossver by placing an alien skull in a trophy case aboard the Predator's ship in Predator 2. Screenwriter Peter Briggs created the original spec screenplay in 1990-1991, which itself was essentially a rewrite of the first comic series of the same name.
A number of changes were made to both the appearance and equipment of the Predators in AvP. Director Paul Anderson and the film's costume designers chose to give the Predators heavier armor in AvP than had been seen in the prior Predator films, partly because they felt it made the Predators seem less vulnerable to the Aliens and partly because it gave them a larger, sturdier overall appearance. Some fans, however, were upset with the costuming, as many felt that it made the Predators appear overly bulky, unstable and awkward. In addition, the Predator's vision system has been modified; it now includes a viewing mode used for tracking the Aliens. Modifications have been made to almost all of the previous weapons: the wrist blades are longer and larger, and can be fired; the net gun has been built into the wrist gauntlet, and its nets automatically contract; a folding shuriken-style weapon has replaced the disc; a more ornate version of the spear appears at the end of the film, perhaps only given to Predator elders; the plasmacasters are larger and more powerful, for use against Aliens; and one Predator is given a pair of giant, retractable fore-arm claws, though he never gets a chance to use them.
Critics weren't allowed to view the film in advance. Once critics were able to review the film, the response was generally negative.
Despite mostly poor reviews, the film earned more than $38 million over its US opening weekend and spent its first week of release at the top of box office charts. However, subsequent weeks saw the film's revenue take a severe decline. Even so, it ranks as one of the most successful films to date in either franchise. The film earned $171.2 million worldwide, with a sequel, Alien vs. Predator: Survival of the Fittest, scheduled for December 25, 2007. Visual effects artists, the Brothers Strause, known for directing commercial and music videos, are confirmed to be directing the project.Wikipedia |
|
|
