Look, there’s no one here that’s going to be able to convince you that Shane Black’s “The Predator” is a good movie (despite our critic’s rave review, which we’ll never forgive him for). For most of us, the film was not even close to being able to capture the magic of the first film. However, despite your preconceived notions about Black’s sequel/reboot, all of it might have been worth it because the good folks at Fox have just released “The Predator Holiday Special.” And in the two-minute special, Fox is able to have more fun and better action than “The Predator,” as well as all the classic lines that made the franchise so great.
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The premise of the Holiday Special is simple – Sprinkles the Elf is walking with one of Santa’s reindeer when the Predator attacks. Sprinkles and a few reindeer are battling the alien powerhouse, with all the blood, guts, and spine-ripping you come to expect. Oh yeah, then Santa joins the fray. And did we mention this is all done in the stop-motion style of the classic Rankin/Bass films?
No, this isn’t revolutionary stuff. And no, it’s not the most well-written two minutes you’ll ever see. But what it lacks in originality and clever writing, “The Predator Holiday Special” makes up for its deficiencies with some serious fun and an applause-worthy moment where Santa congratulates a reindeer with a handshake that is iconic.
Of course, the studio released this as a promotion for the Blu-ray and digital release of “The Predator.” And maybe, if you want to put some money down to own the movie for yourself, this is a good advertisement. But more than that, this is something you can share with your friends and reminisce about the days when Arnold Schwarzenegger was amazing and the villain was one of the most fearsome aliens in the universe.