As of Sept. 16, “The Predator” (2018) has been ranked number one in the box office at $24.6 million, according to Box Office Mojo. Sixth in a long line of films in the “Predator” franchise, the latest addition may seem like a tired idea. Similar to other franchises with a six-or-more movie streak, the concept has been seen before and it’s unclear how they could revitalize the movie after so many attempts.

I’m a fan of the “Predator” franchise and I was skeptical the new movie would meet my high expectations based off the original idea, so I revisited the thrilling series before watching the newest film. Although Box Office Mojo claims “The Predator” has the “lowest opening weekend gross for a live action film debuting in over 4,000 theaters,” my conclusion is that the film isn’t disappointing.

While this review will be spoiler-free regarding “The Predator,” I highly recommend watching the original motion pictures in the series before seeing this movie since the most current film closely follows the earlier concepts. However, it’s not necessary to start from the beginning.

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The first film, “Predator” (1987), captivates its audience with a constant feeling of suspense throughout the movie, leaving plenty of room for questions that are mostly answered in its sequel, “Predator 2” (1990).

The franchise then breaks off into a crossover with the “Alien” (1979) series for two films and returns to its original Predator-only style in the 2010 picture “Predators,” which begins to delve into new ideas about the extraterrestrials’ origins. Although it’s been eight years since “Predators,” “The Predator” seems to pick up right where the idea left off.

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I was immediately captivated by the 1980s-esque music score connected to the film. Oftentimes, the idea of inserting popular modern songs into movies can get repetitive. In this instance, “The Predator” and its score gives the feeling that you have been transported back to the premiere of the first movie.

The new film and the original are similar in more ways than just the score. The latest movie keeps the early concept of the Predator species but further develops the conflict with them in order to avoid wearing out the plot of the early films. “The Predator” also pays homage to the past movies, proving that it isn’t just the beginning of a reboot series.

The movie stays consistent with styles from the original idea and includes famous quotes from previous movies. Renowned props make an appearance, and there are many new qualities to this film as well. For instance, there are far more comedic lines in “The Predator,” but the humor is in good taste and blends well with the action.

The creators of this picture dive deeper into the plot than ever before, all while connecting the other films’ plots to keep the idea going. The creators expand the idea of the Predators’ purpose through the decades, and they make it clear that there is potential for another movie in the series.

I was thoroughly entertained throughout the movie and enjoyed the connection it has to the others in the series. It’s a great modern take on the decade-old idea, and I highly recommend that all the fans of the “Predator” franchise to give it a chance.