So the Video/DVD release of Alien vs. Predator finally happened in the UK.

It's probably my own fault for having a 13-year-old son in my mid-fifties, and having had to endure over six months of anticipation relating to this movie. The promise to buy a copy on the release date was made many moons ago so I couldn't back out!

Blockbusters Video sold out in a matter of hours! WH Smith almost sold out, just managed to get one of the very last copies (phew!).

So there we all sat. Two fifty-somethings, one twenty year old and one thirteen year old, viewing a movie that seemed to have had bad press from its birth. I immediately start spotting cliches from other sci-fi movies and am told to be quiet and not to spoil things.

The acting of the 'human' cast is shallow and unconvincing and the script seems to be an ill-fitting jigsaw of bits and pieces from a whole lot of far better movies.

Then these guys, the Aliens and Predators start to engage in mortal combat with each other and the film elevates to a whole new level. What I am trying to say is that it becomes extraordinarily good. Suddenly I no longer feel a sucker for buying this DVD; I no longer resent my son's natural 13-year-old vulnerability.

Will this movie ever rank alongside "War of the Worlds" or "Close Encounters"? Of course not, - but it sure is a whole lot of fun.