Predator 2, released in theaters on Nov. 21, 1990, takes the intense, high-stakes premise of the original film and cleverly relocates it to the sweltering, dystopian urban landscape of Los Angeles in 1997. The film is a hyper-kinetic, violent thriller that successfully expands the scope of the Predator mythology while serving as a gritty action showcase.
The plot unfolds during a massive heatwave that has exacerbated an ongoing gang war, pushing the city’s police force to its breaking point.
Detective Lieutenant Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) is a veteran cop who trusts only his instincts and his team, which includes the pragmatic Detective Leona Cantrell (Maria Conchita Alonzo), the cautious Detective Danny Archuleta (Ruben Blades), and the excitable Detective Jerry Lambert (Bill Paxton).
Their world is thrown into chaos when a series of impossibly brutal killings decimate the city’s most dangerous gangs.
The unseen, highly advanced killer (Kevin Peter Hall) leaves behind a trail of specialized, ritualistic violence that defies any known human explanation.
Harrigan’s investigation soon puts him in direct conflict with a highly secretive, well-equipped government task force, led by the enigmatic Peter Keyes (Gary Busey).
Keyes is intent on taking control of the case, suggesting the true killer is not of this world.
The tension mounts as Harrigan races against both the alien hunter and the shadowy federal agency to uncover the truth.
The excellent ensemble cast further includes Robert Davi, Adam Baldwin, and Steve Kahan, all contributing to the escalating pressure.
Morton Downey Jr. also adds a volatile element as a sensationalist television reporter, further complicating the public chaos.
Danny Glover in Predator 2 (Photo/20th Century Fox)
Reception for Predator 2
Predator 2 grossed $8.8 million on its opening weekend, finishing fourth at the box office behind Home Alone ($21 million), Three Men and a Little Lady ($13.8 million) and Dances with Wolves ($9.5 million).
The film would gross $57.1 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave Predator 2 two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
The legacy of Predator 2 lies in its crucial expansion of the franchise’s lore, proving that the trophy hunter’s arena is not limited to isolated jungles but includes the concrete jungles of humanity.
Predator 2 established the creature as a consistent intergalactic presence and set the aesthetic tone for future urban-themed sci-fi action, offering a compelling blend of police procedural and creature feature.
