thanks so much for all the comments and positive feedback, I really enjoy reading them. Will always ...
thanks so much for all the comments and positive feedback, I really enjoy reading them. Will always endeavour to return a rate, please let me know if I miss anyone out!
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Predator (1987)
Dir: John McTiernan Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, Kevin Peter Hall
For me, Predator is one of Arnie's finer action movies, along with Commando and Total Recall that exemplify the genre. Minus the special effects of later films, it still matches them for action and visceral thrills. Predator is a blend of macho and science fiction. With Die Hard director John McTiernan at the helm it is more measured than other action films of the period. The unfurling story is not simply a preamble to the gunfire, it stands out with merit in its own right. Amongst the Stallone and Schwarzenegger films of the period, this is practically unique.
A plane has gone down in the Central American jungle with a crew of US airmen who are subsequently been held by terrorists. There is of course, just one man who can rescue them, Colonel 'Dutch' Scultz played by Arnie. He leads his team of incredibly macho commandos
into the jungle, tracks down the terrorists and dispatch them with minimal fuss. On the way the team pick up farmer/terrorist lady/? Elpidia Carrillo for window dressing and then heads for home. Of course it isn't that simple, there is someone (or something) tracking Dutch's team through The Green. The hunter is a 7 feet plus tall dreadlocked Alien who hunts people for sport, sees the heat of its quarry and uses a variety of devious toys to kill them off. One by one, Arnie's troop fall prey to the Predator until just he is left. A life and death jungle struggle ensues..
You can almost sense the testosterone seeping through the screen during the 106 minutes run time of this film. This was one of Arnold Schwarzeneggers first major features and he plays the role of Dutch straight pretty much throughout. No wisecracking, monotone one man army here, Arnie displays a full range with emotions like fear and worry in this movie: unprecedented in one of his films. Of course, the script gives Arnie a bounty of macho wisecracks and dialogue that he gleefully mangles with his guttural Austrian accent ('Get in Da Choppagh!!'). Dutch is ably backed up by a support of bulky alpha males who shine in their own right. Bill Duke is the finest of these - he plays Mac, an imposing, shaven headed sergeant who is in driven to madness by what transpires. Jesse Ventura is Blain, a macho man with a moustache (rare that, even then) who is the deliverer of one of the most needlessly virile lines of dialogue I have ever heard (you know, the chewing tobacco wisecrack). Carl Weathers (of Rocky fame) features as Dillon, a former buddy of Schultz who sends the men out in the first place.
The actors work together extremely well. According to the director commentary they were sent on a boot camp before filming started so the camaraderie feels very authentic. The whole 'slasher in the jungle' idea plays out gratifyingly despite the limitations of budget, technology and other factors. Case in point: Dutch visibily looses weight over the course of some scenes (Delhi belly being to blame)- apparently Arnie completes some scenes with an IV rig in his arm. Visually, the special effects have dated surprisingly well - FX master Stan Winston (who worked on the Terminator movies) created a ground breaking Predator reminiscent to HR Geiger's designs for the Alien films. Twenty years on you still admire the naturalistic countenance of this creature, it looks like a pi**ed off lobster on steroids.
Overall this movie is one of the best of the action movie genre. All the components are there to make the teenage fanboys drool: macho flesh, plenty of wisecracks, gratutitous gunfire and gore. However, Predator stands apart for its nuances and understatement.. and I never thought Id say that for an action movie! The heroes are not fearless warriors, they get spooked at times and even untermench Arnie displays a measure of terror at the end. The violence (and there is plenty of it) is played sparingly, creepers and other Central American foliage play their part in masking the gore and even creating a certain amount of suspense. The dialogue is credible and devoid of the usual macho hot air and wooden plot exposition you'd expect from an Arnie film. Bill Duke is superb as the doomed Mac, unsettlingly efficient at the start but spooked to mania during later scenes - a multifaceted performance compared to his acrylic suited goon in Commando.
One of Arnie's finest. And a credible sci-fi thriller to boot..
If you haven't seen it for a while, check it out. Those without a predilection for action movies might be pleasantly surprised too. It's not as bad as you probably thought.
4/5
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Although it was only made in 1987,Predatoris already the kind of film that has action fans ... more
sighing, "They don't make 'em like that any more". Few later films can equal its testosterone-fuelled scenario, its graphic violence or its genuinely unnerving s...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Although it was only made in 1987,Predatoris already the kind of film that has action fans ... more
sighing, "They don't make 'em like that any more". Few later films can equal its testosterone-fuelled scenario, its graphic violence or its genuinely unnerving s...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Classic sci fi, plenty of violence and action, thrilling!!! some tense action to be enjoyed without a doubt Disadvantages: Getting on abit now, was made in 1987, but special effects are ace for the time
midjet666 04.02.2005 (07.02.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Predator (DVD)
Advantages: Classic sci fi, plenty of violence and action, thrilling!!! some tense action to be enjoyed without a doubt Disadvantages: Getting on abit now, was made in 1987, but special effects are ace for the time
midjet666 04.02.2005 (07.02.2005)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Predator (DVD)
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Dec 30th, 2008
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