Considering Alien Vs Predator brings together two of science fiction's biggest franchises of the last 25 years, it comes as a bit of a surprise when a caption pops up at the beginning of the film informing us that it's October 3, 2004.

So, having established the action in this movie takes place less than three weeks ago, can we really expect to see the type of hi-tech gadgetry and weapons that were an integral part of all six movies on which this one film is based?

Well, yes we can and in that respect fans of the films, AvP comics and computer game won't be disappointed. Unfortunately this film is predictable in many other ways too.

The action takes place, literally, in Antarctica. A satellite has detected a mysterious pyramid-like structure deep within the ice and wealthy entrepeneur Charles Weyland (Henriksen) launches an expedition to explore it.

So a team of scientists, climbers and archaeologists embark on what was always going to be a hazardous adventure. But it becomes even more dangerous when they get caught in the middle of a war between two of the most deadly species of monsters in the universe.

The razor-tooth, acid-blood Aliens and the chameleon-like, skull/spine collecting Predators thrilled and scared audiences in movies that ranged from the brilliant to the ludicrous.

Putting the two together in one film should prove to be explosive the tagline, "Whoever wins, we lose", is inspired and there are some bone-jarring confrontations.

Caught in the middle are the unfortunate humans, who seem to have stumbled into an ancient feud. They tear around the labyrinthine set as if they are involved in some elaborate paintball or laserquest game, and for a while it's exciting stuff.

But the film is lumbered with a lazy, lumpen script that neither surprises nor excites its audience.

As soon as one character shows pictures of his kids back home you just know he won't make it to the end of the movie.

And surely, in one of the coldest places on Earth, any exposed flesh is likely to get frostbite. Not for these guys, who seem to be as resistant to the elements as their extra terrestrial enemies.

Alien Vs Predator was never going to be a film that could boast originiality it's a sequel of sorts and there are the aforementioned comics and computer game but a few fresh ideas would have been welcome. 5/10

by Stephen Webb

Alien Vs Predator

Starring: Lance Henriksen, Sanaa Lathan

Director: Paul WS Anderson

Certificate 15, 100 minutes

Showing at: UGC and Cineworld from today