Look, first of all, I have to admit that AvP (the movie) holds very special place in my heart. I absolutely love Scar, I love Preds in that movie 'cause they were the first Preds 4 years old me had ever seen - years before I saw first Predator movie. As years went by and I got to see other movies I started to notice that AvP Preds look more humanised and kinda relatable. But I've never found them to look terrible. Same with AvPR - first time I'd seen Wolf. I thought: "Wow, that one nasty Predator ! And these mandibles are huge ! " I was amazed - not disgusted. I don't think I can really objectively judge these designs, I'm definetly biased in that matter 'cause of effect AvP had on me. But I'm gonna be that guy and say that no fan really can. To judge it objectively IMO you have to a) have proper education in that matter and b) to be emotionally detached from the creature you're talking about. I think, the first time pretty much every one of us who saw Predator (no matter what movie exactly it was) thought: "Wow, that's one cool looking monster". I doubt anyone have thought - "Ah, what a nicely designed creature. Look at this paintjob, at this texture, at all its armoury. Very, very nice". Nobody was thinking of how proffesionally the costume was made at that moment. All these technical things we learn much latter. At the end of the day, It's that truly child-like amazement that sparks fandom in us and that's stays with us for the rest of our lives. And that first impression definetly plays part in how we see certain things as years go by and something new and different comes out. So, I believe that you criticising Crabators is as biased in that matter as I'm defending them
To answer your question - yes, I see them as high quality. I don't think they're lower quality than Stan Winston's ones (God, save my soul for saying that) - they're different. No, I'm not worried for a new company coming in - I would be as curious as you to see what new company would bring to the table. But I feel bad for ADI reading all these posts "Good riddance ADI, it was long time coming". I don't know anyone of them, never met them, never spoken to them, they don't even know of my existence. But from what I know of them, what I've heard they seem to be nice guys who love doing their job and passionate about it. That's just the person I am - I tend to stand up for the whipping boy. I guess, that's why I like Alien 3, The Predator or Dark Knight Rises
