Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Alien Predators Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 28, 2019

There are aliens. Young people. A European setting. And it was made in the 1980s. “Alien Predators” (titled “Alien Predator” on IMDB and “The Falling” on the disc) has everything going for it, created with prime ingredients for a wild genre ride that pits hapless humans against an extraterrestrial threat. And yet, the film is terrible, showing a frustrating lack of interest in creating any sort of fear factor, with writer/director Deran Sarafian unable to decide if he wants to make a goofy movie or a seriously haunting one, ending up with a mess of different tones, supported by a largely incapable cast. That “Alien Predators” chooses to do so little with its premise is almost maddening, with Sarafian clearly lost at sea, unable to decide what he wants from the production or how to steer it to scares.

When the Skylab satellite falls back to Earth in the late 1970s, it crashes around Duarte. Spain, with NASA officials setting up shop in town, constructing a massive research center. Years later, pals Damon (Dennis Christopher) and Michael (Martin Hewitt) are traveling across Spain with their companion, Sam (Lynn-Holly Johnson), hoping to enjoy a long vacation in their RV and big thrills with their dune buggy. The guys are in love with Sam, commencing a competition to win her attention, but emergency matters take top priority when the gang encounters auto troubles after swerving to avoid a roadside mess made of a local cow. Left in Duarte, the trio tries to make the best of the situation while aiming to make RV repairs, entering the small town with hopes to get a meal and enjoy local customs. Instead, they’re met with a lightly populated village home to residents prone to aggressive behavior, threatening the visitors. Arriving to clarify the situation is Dr. Tracer (Luis Prendes), a NASA scientist who’s trying to keep a lid on the local research station, realizing that something pulled from space long ago has escaped, hunting for humans to infect, turning them into murderous aggressors.

“Alien Predators” has a substantial problem when it comes to likability. While they should be fun folk, out enjoying some youthful freedom with an RV ride across Europe, Michael, Damon, and Sam are wholly obnoxious characters who just might be the dumbest horror trio of the 1980s. The screenplay keeps them college-age and silly, embracing the trip as a chance to cut loose and tear around on a dune buggy, living the dream. Actual human qualities are absent, as Sarafian keeps them cartoonish, slipping into deadly comedy bits and playful banter, with Christopher under the assumption he’s supporting the feature’s energy single-handedly, offering an uncomfortably hyperactive turn. Damon and Michael are difficult to watch, acting more as scene partners who’ve just met than longtime friends, and their treatment of Sam is fairly odious, openly pressuring the dim woman into a relationship as they compete for her heart, eventually resorting to sexual harassment to lock her down, practically threatening her when she hesitates to commit. They’re creeps, but unfortunately, “Alien Predators” turns them into heroes.

The Skylab crash has potential, mixing NASA interests with horrors ones, bringing the battleground to rural Spain. Sarafian has never been a consistent director (helming “Terminal Velocity” and “Death Warrant” before transferring to television work), and he makes plenty of rookie mistakes with his professional debut. Suspense is minimal, basically following the trio into Duarte, where they encounter the infected residents, including a server in an empty restaurant who displays her intimidation by fluffing up her red hair after bringing out the food. There’s a mysterious trucker on the loose as well, trying to run over the visitors.

While the youngsters gradually catch on to the growing menace, the other side of “Alien Predators” concerns Dr. Tracer’s increasing awareness that trouble is spreading, making his way around Duarte, investigating victims. There’s more with the NASA research facility, but science isn’t really the priority here. Oddly, neither is gore, with gross-outs few and far between in the movie, contained to a few shots of bursting cysts, shredded bodies, and an opening where a local cow is the first to be taken down by the alien menace, with its guts feasted on by wild dogs. Sarafian cranks up the munching, licking sound effects here, making it the lone scene to trigger its intended reaction of revulsion. That is, if we’re not counting moments where Christopher, Johnson, and Hewitt try to act.

Alien Predators Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

An MGM catalog title, "Alien Predators" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Age is apparent, but detail isn't completely gone, delivering some mild textures on facial surfaces, makeup achievements, and town locations. Costuming is passable as well, with period fashion coming through. Colors are acceptable, hitting highs with displays of red blood and assorted innards, brighter clothing, and greenery. While hues aren't remarkable, primaries are presented comfortably. Delineation is satisfactory, preserving frame information during evening sequences. Source is in decent condition, without major areas of damage.

Alien Predators Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also handles with noticeable age, battling some sibilance issues from time to time. Tech accomplishments are also limited, with a few dialogue exchanges muddied. Intelligibility is far from problematic, with the main performances coming through strongly, preserving yelling matches and what passes for emotionality here. Scoring needs are met with adequately defined instrumentation and placement. Atmospherics are acceptable, and sound effects are cranked up to help broadcast goopy alien events.

Alien Predators Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director Deran Sarafian.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:47, SD) is included.

Alien Predators Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Alien Predators" evolves into more of an action film in the finale, dealing with NASA compound infiltrations and a car chase. Sarafian packs in some danger, uses a shot of a massive explosion at two points in the movie, and sticks in as many "Twilight Zone" references as he can. It's a fairly random directorial offering, but the creative chaos doesn't result in a compelling picture.