Predator (1987)
If it bleeds, we can kill it
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, Elpidia Carrillo, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Landham, Richard Chaves, R.G. Armstrong, Shane Black
Director: John McTiernan
Running Time: 107 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 18
Action, Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
On DVD 'Predator', much like 'The Terminator' before it, is vintage Arnie. At one fairly early stage in this monstrous piece of sci-fi, the stubble-jawed Austrian stabs someone against a wooden post with a great big knife and says 'shtick around', before kicking down the door of a hut, quipping 'knock knock', and shooting everyone in sight. Already, you suspect, the 1987 cinema audience must have gotten what they paid for.
To be honest, that opening half-hour or so now seems more than a tad laborious. With more than a hint of the 'Rambo'-esque, it follows Arnie as Dutch, the leader of a crack Army rescue team sent deep into the South American jungle with the apparent intention of rescuing a Cabinet Minister from some terrorists. But, as Dutch and his team wander around making macho chit-chat, something is watching. Something terrifying. Something with heat-sensitive vision and a natty set of dreadlocks.
Like all the best monsters (most notably 'Jaws'), chances to get a decent look at the Predator are few and far between. We do know, however, that he's arrived from outer-space, he can camouflage himself against his jungle backdrop, and he collects human skulls - which, let's face it, is a bit creepy. God knows what his bedroom at home must look like. He's also played by Kevin Peter Hall, who we can assume is wearing a costume and isn't really that badly in need of both a dentist and a manicure.
So Predders picks off Dutch's team in convenient order of importance, until we reach what is one of the finest climactic 20 minutes in Hollywood history. John McTiernan's direction is spot-on, whilst Alan Silvestri's score builds the tension perfectly as we inevitably reach the man-to-man battle between a mud-caked Arnie and his alien foe. There's also some impressive FX for the time, particularly as the barely-visible beast leaps around the tree-tops scaring the living snot out of the US soldiers.
DVD Extras: Commentary with John McTiernan, 'If It Bleeds, We Can Kill It' documentary, 7 'Inside the Predator' featurettes, out-takes and deleted scenes, special effects segments, predator camouflage tests, photo gallery and Predator profile.
It's Got: Fantastic action scenes and a cracking ending.
It Needs: To answer certain questions, such as what the monster's doing on Earth in the first place.
Alternatives: Predator 2, Alien, The Terminator, First Blood
Summary: One of the most memorable movies of the 80s, worthy of any DVD collection.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 7th May 2003
External Links
Predator at the IMDB
Comments4 Comments |
| arnie u legend. classic schwarzengger kicking ass n chewing bubblegum. not to be taken too serious mind. characters are fantastic dutch, billy etc and of course the minigun. 10/10 |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 27 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| "Get to the chopper!!!!!!!!!" See Predator and you'll get it. |
| Comment by:- Predator Fan | | 18 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Probably my favorite movie of the 80's is Predator. Filled with action and horror, there is really no way this movie could go wrong. Except for the beginning when you see a spacecraft speeding past Earth then an space-pod breaking away from it and heading towards Earth. (little confusing) But I then found out why Predator came to Earth. He was in search of a prized Skull! (Arnold's) P.S They need a Predator 3! |
| Comment by:- Ryan Cody | www.movie-gazette.com/cinerevi... | 27 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| This movie ROCKED, I didn't think id like it at first, I was like 3, but then I got hooked on it, I am now a PREDATOR freak, I even have a PREDATOR bobble head thing, aswell as a mask, 2000000000000/10 |
| Comment by:- Vydrach | | 18 June 2005 | ip: logged |
