Aliens versus Predator. A famous science fiction/Horror series crossover between 2 famous film franchises. Aliens(debut in the 1979 film "Alien" starring Sigourney Weaver and directed by Ridley scott), and Predator(debut in 1987 film "Predator" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Produced by Joel Silver). The idea started off from a scene in Predator 2 showing an Alien skull within the Predator spaceship. The idea went on to spawn a critically acclaimed comic series by Dark Horse, a number of novels, a series of computer games and finally 2 movies.
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In my post today, i shall be discussing not one of those said media involving AVP but rather the concept of "aliens Vs predator" as a whole. The essence of the franchise if you might put it simply. And i shall use info from the 2 films(im guessing that more ppl woul have heard of or watched the films as opposed to read the comics and books.
The 2 films (Alien Vs Predator directed by Paul WS Anderson and Aliens Vs Predator:Requiem by the Strause Brothers) were only moderately successful at box offices. However reviews by critics were not as kind. I feel the reason for the negative reviews are attributed to a servere misunderstanding of Aliens Vs Predator franchise. The reviewers come into the films expecting a simple monster-on-monster smack down, which AVP is not and never was. If you were to delve into the comics and books, Aliens Vs Predator has many concepts anchored in psychology, historical mythology, animal beharioral patterns, even Philosophy and life values.
HUH?? Philosophy and life values?? In a monster movie??
Of course i say. THINK ABOUT IT. I shall break it down, concept by concept and how each monster personifies said concept and why they might come into conflict. When im done, go rewatch the films again, and maybe pick up some of the novels or comics.
1) New Vs Old
"If it aint broken, don't fix it". A very common phrase used nowadays. The Predator, if anything, embodies this in its totality. As shown in AVP(Alien Vs Predator) and AVPR(Aliens Vs Predator Requiem), The Predators have a strict almost obstinate adherance to not just ancient tradition, but even ancient forms of combat, equipment, and way of thinking. For example in AVP, the 3 Predators, though knowing they are going up against Aliens, do not utilise any weapon that is effectively "anti-Alien". All their weapons, except for the shoulder cannon, are not acid-proof, can be cut by Alien claws and even their armour can be chewed through by an Alien(evident by the Alien being able to break through the Predator's metal facemask and through its head in one bite.) Even their ways of taking down an Alien creature are "standard".(cut off its tail to cripple it then utilise superior strength and size to immobilise it in an open environment and then kill it with a ceremonial knife). Sure its tradition, its been done before, tried and tested. The weapons could have still been used creatively, but alas, they only utilise their "old" ways of combat. Once those weapons were lost and the means of effecting the old ways of combat were gone(eg: getting trapped in a cramped lower chamber and unable to use size to their advantage), the Predators were helpless. Obstinate and unwilling to "think out of the box" they succumed. Tradition and "the old ways", though, need not be a disability or a milestone around one's neck. The "wolf" Predator in AVPR utilised its traditional weapons to great effect against the Aliens he faced. The difference betweein "Wolf" and the 3 Predator initiates is that Wolf used the old weapons in "new" ways. A spear need not be used to stab as that would bring a shower of lethat acid blood. Instead, he used the spear as a bludgeoning tool. He did not cut the acid blood filled tail of the Aliens but instead went for the boney joints were there was the least likelyhood of bleeding. Knowing he would have a disadvantage in cramped close quarters, he utilised ranged weapons(despite it not being considered an "honorable" kill in Predator culture) and was not afraid to add other weapons to his arsenal.(Their tradition dictates only 1 shoulder plasma cannon per combatant, yet he took 2)
Tradition is not a hinderance. Over adherance to tradition and what one learnt, is the hinderance. Lessons of the past is not an instruction manual for handling future problems, but rather, it is a set of ingredients that one can use to come up with their own creative solution for future problems. Used creatively, "old ways" and tradition not longer are a hinderance to progress, but are a supplement and an aid to progress.
2) Adaptability Vs Stagnation
The Alien creature is the very embodiment of adaptability. From its way of overcoming obstacles to its very biological nature. The Predators on the other hand adhere to strictly to a set of ways that have not changed in centuries. The Alien's biology dictates that the adult form alien would take on physical characteristics of the host that it impregnates. Most of the time, the Alien facehugger embryo would try to impregnate the "dominant" species of a said environment. A wise choice as the dominant species in an environment would most likely mean that the species has many traits that make it the most likely to survive in the set environment. But that is an example which is more present in the comics. In the movies, the Alien adapts quickly to combat situations. First off, it tries to get up close to its opponent such that it is able to use its razor sharp claws and lethal spiked tail to greatest effect. Should the target possess ranged weapons, the Alien would opt to lay in wait and ambush its prey when it comes near. It learns quickly. For example, in the first movie an Alien sees another Alien blown apart by the Predator's Shoulder cannon shot. It then decides to retreat into the darkness and later catches the Predator unaware, tearing off the shoulder cannon FIRST. Another example is the first hand to hand combat scene between Alien and Predator in the first movie. The Alien, beaten hurt and tail cut off sees that the Predator is using its size and the space of the large room to its advantage(little hiding places, many obstacles for the Alien). It distracts the Predator then retreats into a smaller, cramped room. the Predator follows and thats when the Alien springs its trap.
In AVPR, the "Wolf" Predator shows how adapting to different combat situations, though given the same tools as the Predator initiates in AVP, is more effective than just sticking to a set form of combat. In cramped spaces like the sewers he utilised more agile parries, grabs and brapples, and short, quick stabs and punches to overcome his enemies. In open terrain like the roof tops, he utilised his full bulk and strength, cuting loose with full swing blows and powerful, precise spear thrusts. Finding out that he would be facing a new threat in the form of the Pred-Alien, the Wolf Predator supplements his arsenal with a second Shoulder cannon and stickybombs. Though armed with shoulder plasma cannons, he used them only if the enemy was very far away and not likely to be able to disable his guns. Later into the movie, his shoulder cannon gets damaged but he adapts them into a handheld, precision shot pistol.
Here's one life lesson we can learn from the movies. Change or die. Adapt or die. In everything that we do, the situtaion always changes. Do not get held back by memories of Halcyon days or regrets of mistakes. Learn from those, use them, and adapt to the ever changing present.
3) Feeling Vs Logic
The Alien = Feeling based way of functioning
Te Predator = highly logic based way of life
Why?
Well the Alien does show intelligence, but not in a "logic" sense of intelligence. It does things without conscience, without actual "thought", living and doing only because it feels like. It is pure Id, instinct and impulse. Assimilate, Grow, feed, reproduce, destroy potential threats, ensure species survival. It does not think about doing these things, they are just that ingrained into the Aliens physiology. They are animals, pure "id". And that is one extreme of relying too much on one's feelings and foregoing logical thought. we become animals. Feed, Fight and F**K(see reproduce) etc. Many of their actions shown in the film can be considered illogical but that is the whole point, and the whole meaning and essence of the name "alien". They are just that illogical that they are "strange" and "alien" to us. As Humans we have the capability for logical thought and should use that to balance our feelings lest we become animals.
Well the Alien does show intelligence, but not in a "logic" sense of intelligence. It does things without conscience, without actual "thought", living and doing only because it feels like. It is pure Id, instinct and impulse. Assimilate, Grow, feed, reproduce, destroy potential threats, ensure species survival. It does not think about doing these things, they are just that ingrained into the Aliens physiology. They are animals, pure "id". And that is one extreme of relying too much on one's feelings and foregoing logical thought. we become animals. Feed, Fight and F**K(see reproduce) etc. Many of their actions shown in the film can be considered illogical but that is the whole point, and the whole meaning and essence of the name "alien". They are just that illogical that they are "strange" and "alien" to us. As Humans we have the capability for logical thought and should use that to balance our feelings lest we become animals.
The Predators are also highly intelligent judging from their space-faring capabilities and technology. However, they depend on logic too much. And a warpped "hunter's" logic at that. A prime example is their logical reasoning that one must commit "honorable suicide" when one gets defeated by one's prey. Yes it is a logical thing to do. You're about to die at the hands of the creature you wanted to kill, it is an embarrassment, it is dictated by customs and traditions, etc. Their logic is warpped in a sense that they see death as the only "last resort" out of a problem. This is the same thing that people who comsider suicide go through. At first the considering of suicide is a purely feeling thing. Then it goes on to a warpping of the person's logic in that he thinks(and actually logically reasons out to himself) that death is the only way to go.
Other examples of the Predators' over adherance to logic would be that They insist on finishing off their prey despite being out numbered and out matched(dictated by customs that they do so or die trying. Yes logical but warpped) and the number of examples such as over adherance to ancient tradition. They would not kill females of a species if they are not deemed a threat.(see Predator 2) This warpped logical way of thinking can be used to the disadvantage of the Predator should a feeble looking but brave old woman pull out a gun and shoot the Predator in the back.
lol.
Lesson learnt. An over adherance to either feeling or logic isnt good and can be disasterous. Not only that, it tends to make one "alien" to the people around them. I personally advocate a BALANCE between logic and feeling.
4 et al) Yes yes this is a long post so i shall end here. However, other themes covered within the essence of "Aliens Vs Predator" are
- philosophy of critical realism(perception and sense-data)
- Maternal psychology
- philosophy regarding "Purpose" and "reason for being"
- Nature Vs Nurture plilosophy
- "Is blood thicker than water?"
- Moral Ethics and Egoism
So much in-depth elements present in the essence of AVP and it gets shoved aside and overlooked by people content on seeing only a bunch of monsters kill each other.
Critics may say "ok fine, there are a number of in-depth references and elements persent in AVP and AVPR but they are still bad movies".
Well allow me to counter some of their arguments as to why they say the movies may be "bad".
1) Too dark.
I say, "true to the original". The original "Alien" film and sequels like Aliens and Alien Resurrection were very darkly lit(or rather, not lit) as well as Predator 2 night scenes.
2) Uninteresting and "stock" human characters
I say. ITS ALIENS VS PREDATOR. Who cares about the humans. What matters is the essence and spirit of the concept that is Aliens Vs Predator. Oh and not to mention its a monster movie. Humans are beast fodder at most. They are MEANT to be uninteresting.
3) Actions of the Aliens or Predators seem "silly".
I say. THEY ARE ALIENS. Meaning creatures that are not like us. Their very actions are alien. They are meant to be.
Now, nowing all of this, go back and re-watch Alien Vs Predator and Aliens Vs Predator Requiem.
If it interests, pick up the comic books. Especially "Deadliest of the Species" (available with other stories as "Aliens Vs Predator Omnibus 2" found in any bookstore that sells comics). That story and other stories in the comics expand on the AVP concept to include elements like
- Plilosophy of Ontology(the nature of being/existence)
- Philosophical realism and the question of objective/subjective reality
- Politics
- Environmental Philosophy
- Utilitarianism
Just to name a few. The AVP comics are an extremely good read. It balances in-depth philosophical references with graphic monster on monster action and intriguing storyline.
For more in-depth reading concerning logic and feeling and what a true "balance" entails see the following
- a project that my friend(the writer of the blog) and i (a frequent contributer) are working on. It concerns self-improvement and basically giving one a more wholesome and fruitful experience of life and living itself.
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