In delivering PG-13-rated excitement,
i Alien vs. Predator
i0 is an acceptably average science-fiction action thriller with some noteworthy highlights, even if it squanders its opportunity to intelligently combine two popular and R-rated franchises. Rabid fans can justifiably ask "Is that all there is?" after a decade of development hell and eager anticipation, but we're compensated by reasonably logical connections to the
i Alien
i0 legacy and the still-kicking
i Predator
i0 franchise (which hinted at
i AVP
i0 rivalry at the end of
i Predator 2
i0 ); some cleverly claustrophobic sets, tense atmosphere and impressive digital effects; and a climactic
i AVP
i0 smackdown that's not half bad. This disposable junk should've been better, but nobody who's seen
i Mortal Kombat
i0 or
i Resident Evil
i0 should be surprised by writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson's lack of imagination. As a brisk, 90-minute exercise in generic thrills, however, Anderson's work is occasionally impressive... right up to his shameless opening for yet another sequel.
i --Jeff Shannon