Predator (1987)

Genres

Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Director

John McTiernan

Country

USA

Cast

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Elpidia Carrillo, Bill Duke, Richard Chaves, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Landham, Shane Black, R. G. Armstrong, Kevin Peter Hall, Sven-Ole Thorsen, Peter Cullen

Storyline

A team of commandos led by Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is hired by the CIA to rescue some missing airmen. But there's something strange going on in that jungle and they soon find themselves hunted by some unknown enemy.

Opinion

I'm not going to lie, I couldn't care less about Predator. I just watched it because I was curious to see the Alien vs Predator movies and I thought it'd be only fair to know the competitors first. I didn't even know there was Schwarzenegger in it. That being said, it turned out to be a pretty solid and tense action thriller and I actually enjoyed it.

Sure, it's far from being the perfect film. The story is pretty simple and straight forward and it's nothing more than a hunt or be hunted type of story. However, it benefits from a pointless subplot about missing airmen. It is discharged pretty soon but it has the purpose to place the commandos into the jungle in the first place. Also, the story is quite engaging.

The characters were the biggest surprise. They aren't complex, they have no backstories, they lack development, and yet they are great. First, all of that isn't really necessary in an action flick; second, the only thing the characters have in common is that they all (almost) are commandos. They are indeed very different from each other, especially the sensible leader - and it was so weird seeing Schwarzenegger in such a role.

But let's get to the really juicy stuff, the action. Just like everything else, this is also simple, it's just blood and bullets, but it's a hell of a fun. The action sequences are exciting, well-paced, they kind of feel realistic and, like I said, they are fun to watch. And the suspense and tension John McTiernan was able to build and deliver really help.