OK, AVP's concept, such as it is, of pitting two of cinema's most known monsters against each other in mortal combat (not Mortal Kombat) began back in the day as a graphic novel. A graphic novel is a comic book of allegedly higher aesthetic and narrative value not necessarily aimed at little kids. However, even a comic book would be embarrassed at the setup here in which these two cinematic make-up and effects legends duke it out. Any teenager who reads Fangoria magazine could have dreamed this one up. And hell, who cares what he excuses are, we just want to see the Aliens and Predators run amok, which they do.

• $3,300
• 42" Plasma
• 1024x768
• Key Connections: Dual HDMI and component inputs

Triad's Platinum speakers walked away with Loudpseaker System of the year, with a system with equal amounts of unbridled dynamic power and inner detail and finesse.

Although our review hasn't been published yet, Tom Norton loved NAD's Masters Series power amp so much we decided to give it our version of a Browny Button!