Predators

Directed by David Osit, Predators details the rise and fall of the popular To Catch a Predator segment that aired on Dateline between 2004 and 2007. Filmmaker Osit does a terrific job of initially capturing the viewer’s attention, as Predators opens with a behind-the-scenes look at the creation and execution of the aforementioned segment – with the eye-opening bent of this stretch enhanced by the inclusion of fairly riveting interviews and discussions. It’s disappointing to note, then, that the picture segues into a meandering midsection focused on To Catch a Predator copycats, and there’s little doubt that one’s efforts at working up any real interest in this stretch generally fall completely (and hopelessly) flat (ie who cares, ultimately). The picture does, thankfully, rally for a final half hour that fares a whole lot better than expected, as Osit offers up a gripping interview with To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen that proves an effective (and memorable) closer – which finally confirms Predators place as a decent-enough documentary that ironically would’ve been better off as a story on Dateline.

**1/2 out of ****