Yes. 'Predators' is a B-Movie.

Here are a few clips from Jeannette Catsoulis review of 'Predators':

Limply plotted in hoary Ten Little Indians style, Predators dangles human prey before inhuman hunters without asking us to give a damn about any of them.

...It's quite shocking to recall that Antal once directed the marvelously gripping Kontroll, as well as the tight little motel-room horror Vacancy...

...By anyone's reckoning, Predators is a middling 1980s B movie; too bad this is 2010.

Somehow misses the point. I'm not sure how the tone and content of the review applies to the material being judged or appeals to someone who might be considering seeing the movie which is being reviewed.

'Predators' is supposed to be an 80's-style B action/horror movie. We know that. It was designed that way. As such, it represents a success if it resembles such movies.

B movies tend to be middling in most aspects. But, they're fun. That which makes them less than stellar cinematically is exactly what the people who buy the tickets want to see. Gobs of cheesy action, not too much character development, cool monsters -- these are the things genre fans crave.

If they wanted to see a delicate drama, or gushing romantic period piece, they'd be well advised to watch another movie.

Occasionally, if we're lucky, a B movie will rise above. If Catsoulis had offered an example of an excellent B film from the 80s, the comparison she draws to 'Predators' as being of 'middling' quality might hold up better. She does, however, cite two previous directorial efforts by Antal, 'Kontroll' and 'Vacancy', implying 'Predators' is that much worse -- that it's 'shocking' to think the same guy made all three movies.

'Kontroll' and 'Vacancy' can't be called genre flicks. They aren't 80's-style and were certainly not meant to resemble B movies. You could argue that 'Vacancy' is a genre flick and a B picture but I don't think so. The vibe is too serious. The violence is very hardcore and stripped of camp value. This isn't very B movie-ish and elevates the picture above the 'genre' class. 'Vacancy' is in the horror genre (technically), but not a 'genre' movie. It's too deep and layered to be considered pulp.

As for being 80s-style, 'Vacancy' has a very contemporary 'character-driven horror/suspense' approach -- a far cry from the simplistic stalker style of movies from the 80s which epitomize the genre, 'Friday the 13th' and 'Halloween' (a 1978 film which can be credited with establishing the slasher style of 80s pulp horror movies).

As far as quality goes, I think it's fair to say (and this may be a bit too generous) that both 'Kontroll' and 'Vacancy' run in the middle of the pack, so it's hard to imagine there is the 'shocking' discrepancy in the quality of those films and that of 'Predators', which Catsoulis suggests.

'Predators' may not be a great cinematic achievement, but it wasn't meant to be. From script to screen 'Predators' was meant to be pop entertainment, a fun summertime romp, and should not be compared to films of a different design and appeal, even those made by the same director.

'Tremors' is the best B movie (80's-style or otherwise) I can think of off the top of my head. It's tightly plotted, turns on a dime, and has good character arc. Campy yet sincere, its characters adroitly sidestep caricature. The movie is as much fun as it is scary and suspenseful.

'Tremors' even supplies resonant thematic material throughout: we must fight demons in order to improve our lives. Pretty rare for a B movie.

There's also a nice symmetry in that the protagonist (who, in the beginning of the movie, is a happy dolt who never has a plan) comes up with a brilliant plan to destroy the monster and save everybody by the movie's end.

Well. 'Predators' may not be of the caliber of 'Tremors' but, come on, how often does that happen.

'Predators' probably isn't a masterpiece among B movies. However, few are. It may be lacking in theme, and be devoid of character development and arc, but it probably delivers what fans of the genre are looking for.

Critics, however, may have to look elsewhere if they're looking for the deepest, most nuanced of films.

I haven't seen 'Predators' but I can tell what kind of movie it is from the promo materials. If I were in the market for a shoot-em-up action flick with monsters I'd consider 'Predators'. If I was looking for a deeply subtle character piece loaded with drama and portraiture, 'Predators' would probably be the wrong movie to see.

I wish critics would remember who they are writing for when they trash a movie.