Predator (1987)

 Predator (1987)

If Alien and Rambo decided to have a baby together, Predator would be their child. It begins like Rambo but ends in the horrifying style of Alien. In essence, this film is a product of the 1980’s. It is a B-film creature feature that dials it up from scene one and does not relent until the credits. There are hammy one-liners that we come to love from Arnold Schwarzenegger. The script dares you to defy logic, which you shall need to do if you are going to give the film a passing grade. Once I put all my smartness aside, the film is plenty of fun! It is certainly a macho movie, but any film that combats an alien against humans is fine by me. The action is well-choreographed and I loved the fight sequences. The visual effects are ahead of its time. The movie really wanted to show off Stan Winston’s creature design. This is one of those heavy action movies designed to take you on an escapade. Too bad none of the sequels (mostly) were able to take suit. Oh…and the jungles, which were filmed in the swamps of Mexico, never looked more beautiful.

The script was written by Jim Thomas and James Thomas. The idea came to fruition over an old joke about the Rocky franchise. The joke goes that Rocky has run out of credible opponents, so his next opponent should be an alien. The screenwriters took that idea to heart and created a story which involved military operations in Central America, which was part of the political ideas of America at the time. John McTiernan was hired to direct this as his first studio film. He would later gain fame as a great action director (you should really see Die Hard).

The film ran into creature design problems at first. Stan Winston created the famous design as we know it today. Although those horrid facial tentacles was suggested by James Cameron, as these two previously worked together on The Terminator. Originally, Jean-Claude Van Damme was hired to play the creature because of his extensive martial art skills. However, his size did not compare to the more intimidating sizes of Schwarzenegger and his commando team. And he kept complaining about the suit. He was eventually let go and 7’2 actor Kevin Peter Hall was hired in his stead. That was a good call, because size matters. It helped made “The Predator” a truly iconic scary creature.

Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his elite team of commandos have been sent to the jungles of Central America to infiltrate a terrorist base. When they arrive to the camp, they see the terrorists strung up and murdered in a very violent way. The team comes to realize that they are dealing with something…out of this world. They soon discover the creature that is hunting them, The Predator, tracks rare species and uses their skulls for trophies after they have been murdered. As the team is getting picked off one-by-one, their survival skills are going to be needed.

This is not a movie that requires serious, A-grade acting chops. In fact, many on the team are B-stars at best and used for their hulking size (looking at you, Jesse Ventura). Regardless, the cast is fun. Watching Schwarzenegger in action against this alien is all I need. Once again, he does not fail in delivering his one-liners. The supporting cast is rounded out by professional wrestlers or B-actors. Although Carl Weathers and Bill Duke both do a great job. By all reports, filming was a struggle. Being covered in cold mud for three weeks or freezing in the Mexican jungles (where heat lamps were required) must have been something. Arnold would say that is this where the phrase “macho man” films were coined. Still, the actors and the director held themselves up admirably.

Look, Predator is not going to win any writing or acting awards. What it is, is a fun horror/sci-fi movie that delivers the big, bad goodies. You can stuff your face with popcorn watching Arnold do his thing. There are truly terrifying moments and the creature itself is literally a gross-out. I see why 20^th Century Fox would later team this villain up with the Alien franchise. Made sense on paper at least. If you want a breakneck-paced action movie that never relents and one that could be the poster child of the 1980’s, I can recommend Predator. No brain, but lots of heart, soul, and energy.

My Grade: B