The 80´s was a hell of a good time for action films. In fact, this was the period where some of the best action classics came out. Just think about it for a while, we got The Terminator, Aliens, Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Robocop, Rambo films, and many others. The 80´s launched a lot of possibilities for action movie directors. They combined many different genres, and tried to combine some insane ideas. Some films were of course more fun to watch, without being good. While some films like Commando, with Arnold Schwarzenegger, turned out to be the right kind of film for the sunday family dinner. Lots of violence, classic dialogue and lots of muscles. Commando was cut a hell of a lot on swedish VHS, back in the days of VHS renting stores. I remember seeing the cut version, it destroyed the film completely. For some reason, some asshole thought that video violence was bad for you, when in fact they did not forbid swedish Dansband albums. At least i got to see the uncut version on Filmnet, a tv channel that showed a lot of action films. And of course i was so happy, because that showed me why censoring films was the work of Satan. Schwarzenegger released quite a lot of action films in the 80´s, and one of the classic ones that is actually turning 30 years old this year, is of course The Running Man. The idea of a tv show, where you hunt victims on live tv to kill, turned out to be a nice surprise. The film is actually pretty well made, and Schwarzenegger is also good in the lead role. If you have not seen The Running Man yet, i suggest you try and find the blu ray release. It is a fun ride, and have some classic scenes. But let´s stay here in the year 1987. Because this was the year when Schwarzenegger made one of his best film in his whole career. A film that changed the lives for many movie lovers forever, with an epic action film. I am of course talking about the film Predator, directed by John McTiernan ( the director who also made another great action film, Die Hard with Bruce Willis ). This film became a box office success, and fans of the Predator genre have always loved the first movie. In some ways, you could say that Predator gave us a different concept on sci fi action, because we have never seen a film combining a war film with an alien in a jungle. This year it is 30 years ago since Predator hit theatres worldwide, and of course we should celebrate this with a blu ray review. I had to see the film again just to see, if Predator is still a true classic, or have the film lost some quality after so many years ?
Major Alan " Dutch " Schaefer ( Arnold Schwarzenegger ), Blain Copper ( Jesse Ventura ), Mac Eliot ( Bill Duke ), Jorge " Poncho " Ramirez ( Richard Chavez ), Rick Hawkins ( Shane Black ) and Billy Sole ( Sonny Landham ) are all called in for a mission, deep down in the Val Verde jungle. Major General Homer Phillips ( R.G. Armstrong ) give Major Dutch all the information with Dutch all friend Colonel George Dillon ( Carl Weathers ). The mission is to rescue a cabinet minister, and his crew, as their helicopter seemed to have crashed into the jungle. The mission is to find them, and get them out. The chopper is located, but with butchered bodies hanging from the trees. Dutch and his men all head down into the deep jungle, and wipe out an army. But the evidence in this camp, turns out to be something completely different to what the mission was said to be. It seems that they have been fooled, that in fact the CIA lied, just to get Dutch and his men to do their dirty work. Dillon knew this, but did not say anything. A woman named Anna Gonsalves ( Elpidia Carillo ), found in the military camp, is forced to go with Dutch and his men, as they try to make their way back to safety. But during this time, one of the soldiers are killed, and disappear in front of Anna. Since she is the only witness, she can´t describe what she saw. But this turns out to be something, that no one is prepared for. Dutch and his men are now hunted, by an unknown alien life form, known as Predator ( Kevin Peter Hall ).
One of the reasons why Predator is one of the best action movies of the 80´s, is because it does not hold back the brutal violence. You get massive shootouts, explosions, and a lot of rage, just the way you want an action film to be in the jungle, between soldiers. This film could have failed on so many levels, but thanks to director John McTiernan and his wonderful cast, you get all that you could wish for. I can´t say there are many military teams i have seen in films, that feels so connected, as this team does. Every single character give the film something positive, and you really feel like they are a team. Arnold Schwarzenegger as Dutch, is simply outstanding. This is in my opinion one of his most iconic movie characters of all time. Maybe not on the same level as The Terminator, but still pretty close. Carl Weathers as Dillon, is one of those unforgettable characters. He might not be the best nicest guy in the gang, but his secrets during their mission makes the plot more reasonable. Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura is the bad ass war machine Blain, and if someone is going to clean up this jungle, you know he is the one to do it. Unfortunately, he is not one of the survivors, but you got to love his rough character. The story set in the jungle is a brilliant idea, because of the fact that this team of soldiers have been in many wars worldwide, but nothing as difficult as this one. The massive shoot outs last very long, and it is clearly made with an glimpse of an eye, to make it almost a satire of violence in some scenes. The Predator suit is very impressive, considering this was made in the 80´s. The alien looks really cool, and the make up effects works very well. The scene where Dutch and Predator fight against each other, is one of those scenes where the nostalgia level reaches to the top. The theme song, composed by Alan Silvestri, fits perfect to the look of the film, with a majestic string orchestra. The blu ray release i have, simply called Ultimate Hunter Edition, also includes some nice special features, where you learn more about the making of Predator, with interviews from the cast, and of course a Commentary by director John McTiernan. Predator is still today one of the most iconic action films from my childhood, and even if it has gone 30 years, the film does not fail to deliver quality. Since we are getting a new Predator film out in theatres next year, i suggest you buy the blu ray release of Predator, and gather all your friends for a movie night. Predator kicks ass in so many wonderful ways, and will always be classic for all ages to experience.
Rating: DDDD
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