A Classic action movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. An elite team of Army commandos are sent into a central american jungle to retrieve a cabinet minister and aide. Little do they know they have become prey for something that lives only for the hunt, something that isn't human.
Spoilers and commentary below this line
One of the best action movies out there, Predator stands above the typical guns'n'aliens flick. The film is extremely well made, lush jungle locations provide a great and claustrophobic backdrop for the storyline. The standard action element of the leading lady baring breasts is thankfully absent, and the schmalzty back stories are at a bare minimum. We know hardly anything about the characters and that doesn't matter; they work together as a team, trading jokes and totally at ease with each other. This is illustrated well by the addition of Carl Weathers' character 'Dillon' - he's regarded with suspicion and derision from the start - and, while another writer would have him turn against our heroes, in this film he joins them and makes at least some efforts to redeem himself. The only downside is that 'Hawkins' is given little depth; it's fairly easy to guess he'll be killed off early due to his lack of dialogue.
Of course, there weren't going to be any oscars handed out for acting in this movie. This is action with a little suspense and gore thrown in for good measure. Schwarzenegger's character 'Dutch' is, of course, deadpan, honourable and resourceful; Arnold is fairly incapable of accomplishing much with what he has to work with, but we still suspend disbelief readily enough. Governer Jesse Ventura's 'Blaine' is rowdy and coarse, chewing tobacco and toting a rotary minigun for maximum bullet-factor. Unfortunately for him, we're not really given much of a reason to care for his demise, apart from 'Mac's deep friendship with him (shown to us after Blaine's death). Sonny Landham plays the stereotypical Native American tracker 'Billy' with ease; he's believable, if a little too silent and thoughtful. Dillon, the CIA operative who joins Dutch's team is a blustering Carl Weathers; of course, we don't get too many pencil pushers with massive physiques, so Dillon is given a tentative link to Dutch via Vietnam. Richard Chaves plays 'Poncho' - smiling, slightly wisecracking semi-latino and possibly the best character in the film, besides the Alien. The slight nod toward female involvement in Predator, 'Anna', is played by Elpidia Carillo. Unfortunately again, she has little role apart from looking terrified.
The special effects in this film have stood the test of time; the invisibility suit the alien uses is believable and well implemented with a heat devil-like shimmer to give away his position to the well trained eye. Watching the film again can be a game trying to spot the predator early on. The alien's visage, when finally revealed is suitably gross and material for one of the best lines in the movie. In 1987, Laser sights were new and impressive it seems, so the alien gets three in a triangle. We see the alien bleed fairly early on; it lends a slight credibility to the proceedings to see the hunter roar in pain as he sews a wound caused by gunfire.
There are problems with the film; the seemingly endless stream of ammunition the commandos dish out and some silly continuity mistakes. We know not to expect much from the action genre, so we're pleasantly surprised... to a point. The musical score is perfect for the film, adding just enough tension to keep us interested.
A cut above the rest, Predator for me stands with Aliens and Die Hard as the best action movies of the 80's, and one of the best of all time.