Exactly, the plasma-proof skin is so stupid as well as Fugitive not giving a better fight. I have no problem with the idea of the upgrade, but the way they're showing him is to me just a sign of bad writing...
I'll swallow the plasma-proof part because Fugitive has such a mall plasma caster, so maybe it ain't a very powerful one? Still a bad idea.
How do we make this new predator more badass? Make him bigger and buffer! What else can we do? Make him bullet/plasma-proof! What kind of armor will he use? No, he doesn't need armor, his skin will be bullet/plasma-proof!
I mean really, they were smart enough to not make Berserker bullet-proof. This really is stepping on the line of being ridiculous...
To me, the predator was always cool because of his unique combination of hunting culture and interesting technology and armor design. Now, he's Hulk with mandibles, the Upgrade looks a lot more generic, just another big monster. I still do like the design, though a lot less than the other predators.
I have no problem with Upgrade being superior than other preds now. It does make sense to me that some preds would juice up because their egos got hurt. But the way things are getting handled is what worries me. I have 2 problems with how they handled the fight between Upgrade and Fugitive:
1. It is a bit disrespectful to the classic preds if you don't give Fugitive even a chance, just sounds like poor writing.
2. They miss an opportunity for a great fight scene.
I still hope this movie will be good. I mostly hope that they portray Upgrade as an intelligent character and not just as another mindless beast. If they do that, I'm on board with everything else.