The much anticipated Predators (produced by Robert Rodriguez) sees a fairly lucrative turnout following its opening weekend placing 3rd behind Despicable Me (#1) and Twilight: Eclipse (#2) in the box office. Grossing $24.8M (relatively less than half of what Despicable Me pulled in) it’s likely that momentum for the film will pick up in the upcoming weeks.

Set 13 years after the events of Predator 2, the sci-fi action film follows the struggle of 8 humans snatched from Earth and dropped off in an alien jungle to be hunted in a horrifying game of kill-or-be-killed. The movie stars Adrien Brody (King Kong) in the action-hero spotlight as an American ex-military soldier-turned-mercenary and apparent graduate of the Spartacus workout. Topher Grace (Valentine’s Day, Spider-Man 3), Alice Braga (I Am Legend) and Laurence Fishburne (C.S.I., The Matrix) also help to round out the cast of misfits and fighters who are desperately looking for a ride home. Sticking close to tradition with the previous 2 movies, Predators ups the ante significantly with the hunted being stalked by 3 Predators instead of the previous lone wolves that Schwarzenegger and Danny Glover combatted. The film cleverly ties in events of the original Predator film as well while the action unfolds.

Utilizing great science fiction writing and excellent story pacing, the film does it’s job in a way that fanboys of the franchise will love and moviegoers seeking the next thrill can grab a hold of. Unlike the previous films, Predators is very light on the gore seeking out a more action packed approach. A lot of the mystery and intrigue with the Predators themselves is explored this time around and the writers use this opportunity to introduce new Predator types only seen in the comics and graphic novels. At it’s core, Predators is the typical guy movie with a lot of the thrills and suspense that the series is known for.

Though Universal’s Despicable Me does take the top honors over the weekend bringing both adults and children out to fill seats, Predators stealthily injects another supercharged action flick onto the scene to follow up A-Team, The Last Airbender and Knight & Day.