This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.
Trick or Treat
Plot Overview
A young autistic boy Rory McKenna (Jacob
Tremblay) intercepts a package from his Army Rangers father Cpt. Quinn McKenna (Boyd Holbrook) who'd
mailed home the “evidence” for safe keeping after encountering
a bad-ass space “predator” while on an anti-cartel sniper
mission in Mexico. Rory dresses in this alien battle gear for Halloween
and for a change fares better with his bully nemeses. Meanwhile
another “predator” chases the first one
(“Thing One”) from where it was being held,
“heavily sedated,” in a secure location: Project
Stargazer. A comely biologist Casey Bracket (Olivia Munn) teams
up with Cpt. McKenna and his (Therapy)
Group 2 of soldiers with psych.
problems to pursue the creature(s) for study.
It is Miss Bracket's fear that these space “predators” plan to colonize a warmer planet earth as suits their liking once it warms up through the greenhouse effect. However, the alien, otherworldly scientists don't seem to concur with this 19th century science of ours; at least there is no preparation observed for any imminent invasion. (The movie “The Martian” shows earth scientists having got wise to greenhouses staying warm from blocking convection, not radiation as was thought in the 1800s.) The “predator's” Halloween treat, “his gift to humankind,” of some of their technology seems to be more along the lines of making it a fair fight for these “sports hunters” rather than to enable us to stop an invasion of so-called “predators.” Think of the scene in “Crocodile Dundee” where the kangaroos shoot back.
Ideology
The champ was the autistic-savant boy Rory who was able to decipher alien code. This along the lines of, (Prov. 25:13) “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.” We felt vicarious relief when the movie quickly shifted from the hot steamy jungles of Mexico to the northern states in October. Similarly, it's a relief to have a kid who can interpret the alien code for us.
(Prov. 25:14) “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” Cpt. McKenna thinks he's a real prize, a man among men, but his wife pegs him as a “poor husband, good soldier.”
(Prov. 25:15) “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” When the ragtag soldiers of Group 2 spirited away Miss Bracket out of danger, they had her laid out on a bed waiting for the tranquilizer to wear off. They treated her very tenderly until she concluded they posed no threat (“I'm in.”)
(Prov. 25:16) “Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.” When Rory was out with the other kids trick-or-treating, they received tons of goodies to fill their bags with. He didn't need one last house that appeared not open to it; knock on that door and the whole evening could be ruined.
(Prov. 25:17) “Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.” The soldiers are better off not hanging around Mrs. McKenna's house when there is soldiering to be done outside, even though technically it wasn't their fight.
Production Values
This sci-fi thriller, “” was directed by Shane Black who co-starred in the original “Predator.” It was co-written by Shane Black and Fred Dekker. It stars Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, and Jacob Tremblay. The main parts, in fact all the characters, were played naturally and with panache. The violence is over the top and the sound track awesome. The music is just right for a creepy, alien flick. It grabs you from the start and won't let go.
MPAA rated it R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, and crude sexual references. It overdoes it on the f-word. It picks up from where the franchise left off, but one can understand it cold. No time was wasted for extensive character development, but they pretty much stick to type. Despite multiple intrigues the plot is pretty easy to follow, and the surprises are rationed out.
Review Conclusion w/ Christian Recommendation
This sequel puts other sequels to shame. The good guys were sympathetic, the bad guys dastardly, and the aliens ugly. The autistic kid had a brilliant side, the soldiers had camaraderie, the scientists had crisp explanations, the women had moxie, the alien hunter had dogs, and the foot soldiers had lines. It's a nuanced and well-rounded picture for its type.
Movie Ratings
Action factor: Edge of your seat action-packed. Suitability For Children: Not Suitable for Children of Any Age Special effects: Amazing special effects! Video Occasion: Fit For a Friday Evening Suspense: Keeps you on the edge of your seat Overall movie rating: Five stars out of five.
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