Predator
by Cheeto
Posted on 8 November 2021
Rating -
Predator is a 1987 American science fiction action horror film directed by John McTiernan and written by brothers Jim and John Thomas. It is the first installment in the Predator franchise. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as the leader of an elite paramilitary rescue team on a mission to save hostages in guerrilla-held territory in a Central American rainforest, who encounter the deadly Predator (Kevin Peter Hall), a technologically advanced alien who stalks and hunts them down.
Predator is one of my favourite movies of all time, so I’m going to try and be as fair to the film as I can. Here in the UK, we have U, PG, 12, 12A, 15 and 18 age certificates on movies, Predator was the first 18 I ever watched. Yep; I remember, at the age of 8, I put it in and had a brilliant 1 hour and 50 minutes.
First off, this is the most macho, testosterone-filled film ever made. The cast is pure 80’s, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura. What more is there to like? Speaking of Schwarzenegger, he bosses the screen as Alan ‘Dutch’ Schaefer; a battle-hardened Major who leads an elite team of operatives into the heart of Val Verde, on a rescue mission. This if the first film during McTiernan’s prime, along with Predator, he directed; Die Hard and The Hunt for Red October, and I can tell you, these are all classic movies.
I love the whole setting, and in turn, the feel of this film. The jungle setting evokes feelings of isolation, and it truly makes for a eerie watch. I love the dialogue and banter between our main characters, the chemistry is unmatched, and it makes the film an easier watch.
Predator is absolutely action packed, even before we get to the scenes with said Predator, there is a whole sequence in which we see our main characters storm an enemy base and take a previously captured woman. During this sequence, we are shown great pyro effects, and of course, plenty of gore. We are subjected to one of Arne’s great one liners, ‘stick around’, which I still anticipate every time I re-watch this movie.
This film isn’t just all action though, the reason why this film is the cream of the crop when it comes to 80’s action movies is because of the antagonist; the Predator. During the first scenes in the jungle, we see the POV of the Predator, his sight isn’t the same as a humans though, it is infared. The Predator stalks our main characters, moving through the trees. One of the characters, Billy, who is the groups tracker, mentions that there is something in the trees. We can see the alarmed look on Dutch’s face. This is something rare due to the fact that we always see Arne as this big brute of a man, not scared of anything, it adds a different dynamic to the character, and in turn, it puts us on the edge of our seats.
The thing that I love about this film is the gradual paranoia and panic that ensues between our characters. This of course, is only heightened, when they are picked off one by one. When Arne is the last one left, apart from the girl, we get one of the most iconic lines in movie history; ‘run, go, get to the chopper!’. We then transition into the third act.
Now, the third act is one of the best in action, Dutch falls into a lake, followed by The Predator. Dutch is covered in mud and realises that the Predator can’t see him, also, we get our first look of him. This is due to up to that point, he has been invisible, this is because of his much more advanced, alien technology.
As the Predator goes away, we see Dutch begin to set up alarm contraptions, and traps. I love this part of the film because man has to go back to his primal instincts to survive. We get a great tense ending in which we see Dutch use said traps until he is bested by the Predator. As Dutch is on the floor after being pummeled by our antagonist, the Predator takes of his helmet, revealing his face, and I can tell you, he ain’t pretty. Stanley Winston was on his A-game when doing the effects, the Predator truly does look amazing. Also, Kevin Peter Hall puts in a great shift as the Predator. Standing at 7ft 2inches, he was an imposing figure, even able to make Arnold Schwarzenegger appear small.
As we see Dutch fool the Predator into stepping into one of his traps, upon his death, the Predator charges up his self-destruct device on his wrist, and lets out a human laugh, Billy’s laugh infact, as he has the ability to mimic noises. Dutch evades the explosion and is air lifted out of the jungle.
Overall, Predator is one of the greatest Sci-Fi Action movies ever made, a kickass cast, an intimidating antagonist. A genuinely fascinating plot, and plenty of 80’s action. Oh, and a brilliant soundtrack and main score by Alan Silvestri. Definitely give this one a watch guys.
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