Predator (1987)

The 1980s exploded with an abundance of science fiction movies/film franchises that are remembered for the impact they had on cinema at the time and a portion of them starred rising action star Arnold Schwarzenegger. As time moves forward, Hollywood's determination to extend a number of these series with additions that attempt to capture the spark of what made their predecessors good quality end up become laughable, insulting, or just recycled into becoming tedious. One of these includes the Predator film franchise, which debut in the late 1980s and has spawned a handful of entries that have attempted to succeed in making the iconic creature culturally relevant in a rapidly growing world. With the release of the newest project in the series having been released by this point, The Predator, I decided to avoid for the time being since I don't have an urgent need to check it out and, most importantly, I've never watch the original famous work that started it all...until now. After watching it, I enjoyed the experience and can see how great and iconic this was for its genre.

Plot: The story follows a group of soldiers being hunted down by a malevolent violent creature during a mission. This premise may be simple and predictable on paper, but the execution of it is quite solid based actors performances and the atmosphere of the environment. There are a few minor horror elements but it's heavy into the action thriller genre that fully embraces the 1980s macho interactions between these soldiers. Something to appreciate is how it takes the appropriate amount of time to allow the audience to know the personalities of each member before the danger strikes against. What adds to the fun in the story are the one liners that bring some levity to dire circumstances. Overall while there really isn't that much to describe when it come to the plot as its something standard, the delivery of its important pieces more than make up for it.

Characters: The people to focus on are Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Dillon (Carl Weathers). Dutch is an tough Army Special Forces Major enlisted into a mission whose skills and pride are put to the test when encountering a dangerous threat. Arnold is a strong player among the cast whose charisma and ridiculous plot armor proves how big of a name he was back then to carry big films like this. Dillon is a CIA agent who recruits Dutch and his team into a task that escalates into something more deadly than they realized. Carl gives solid commanding performance in much of his scenes as his character is attempting to be stay ahead of the creature while being dominant with the crew. Honorable mentions go to Mac (Bill Duke), Anna (Elpidia Carrllo) and Billy (Sonny Landham) for the great acting chops they had in some stellar standout moments.

The iconic creature: As for Predator himself, it's an entertaining treat to watch as he stalks his prey. It takes about 30 minutes or so for the creature to take action but the build up for him is worth it. The sadistic nature it has in taking on armed soldiers as disposable toys to kill is fascinating. The showdown it has in the third act is where the malevolent being is at his most competitive in taking on Schwarzenegger. The only detail about it that hasn't aged well is the cloaking technology as it doesn't hold up that well for the most part, which given 1980s computer effects at the time isn't surprising.

Overall Consensus: Predator earns its iconic status in the action genre through great cast portrayals, solid suspense, awesome thrills, and treating the important elements of its story/characters with care. ⭑⭑⭑⭑1/2🍿 Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes R

Reasons to watch it: You like any of the aforementioned actors. You are a fan of 1980s action thrillers with plenty of one liners and macho cliches. You want to see the roots of the Predator film franchise. You don’t mind blood, gore, and intense gun violence.

Reasons to avoid it: You dislike any of the aforementioned actors. You aren't a fan of 1980s action thrillers with plenty of one liners and macho cliches. You aren't interested in the roots of the Predator film franchise. You are sensitive blood, gore, and intense gun violence