Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Predator, just another standard 80's action flick? Some would tell you that's all it is, but few, if any, of those others have had the impact that Predator has. Sure it's no big deal that it spawned a sequel, lots of movies do that, but it has also bled into Batman lore and faced Aliens (you know, Sigourney's aliens) in numerous comic books plus a new movie. Come on, name one other 80's action movie that had enough merits to be integrated into Batman comics. Maybe I shouldn't say that, somebody will come up with one. The point is there is more imagination behind Predator than a single movie or two could contain.

I think my fascination with Predator is largely because it was my first memorable cross-genre experience. I know that there probably aren't many people who get a kick out of that as much as I do, but I love seeing something typical from an atypical point of view. It's part of what makes me a huge Dean Koontz fan and influences many of the stories I write. I love The Nightmare Before Christmas partially because it has such a unique blend of Christmas and Halloween imagery, Wolf because it is horror-genre werewolves from a dramatic view (there have been similar takes on vampires, but only a few like this dealing with wolves), and of course, Predator.

The first half of Predator is a basic modern war movie. You've got the standard cinematic best-of-the-best Special Forces team saving hostages from an enemy camp deep in the jungle. The last half still keeps some of those element but throws in sci-fi and slasher-horror. Now a dangerous alien is hunting the team, taking them out 1 by 1 until it faces off against the leader (Arnold S). It still kind of carries the feel of watching the war movie but with an inhuman element.

There is a little bit of a plot twist when Arnold finds out why his team was really sent into the jungle, but mostly it entails a bunch of guys just trying to survive, not a complex plot. The heroes are straight-shooting guys, a military rescue team tight as brothers and fierce as a mother Grizzly, but Dillon (Arnold's superior who insists on going into battle with them) and Predator's motivations take some revealing throughout the story. Predator is not some killer out hacking up folks because they let him drown in a previous life or because he's flipped his lid (gone crazy). This guy is a hunter. He likes the thrill of the chase and takes pride in the trophies he collects from his prey. He even displays some manner of sportsmanship by not killing someone that is unarmed. What makes him frightening is that he's not going after hormone-high teenagers but the most manly men you can imagine and highly trained ones at that.

The jungle setting is beautiful and creepy. I can't think of a better setting for this kind of movie. The sequel takes it into the big city, but that just can't create the atmosphere that the jungle does. The special effects and costumes good considering their age, and the actors well placed for their roles. For example, Blain just needs to be rough so Jessie Ventura carries the role, but for his friend who needs to show more emotional range veteran actor Bill Duke steps up.

It's a great struggle for survival against the unknown that pulls the viewer into this imaginary world. It's great for action and sci-fi fans alike and remains my favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger movie of all time.

Content:
The movie could be a lot more violently graphic than it is. There are still some disturbing scenes but the picture doesn't dwell on them. You get just enough to know what's going on and maybe get a quick "Eeewww!" from the squeamish. The language is pretty bad. There is no nudity or sex, but one guy tells some sexually graphic jokes.

The DVD:
I wish I were reviewing the newest release, but I have to settle for the old one. It's the DTS, Enhanced Widescreen release that I'm talking about. While there's not a lot in the way of extras, the presentation of the film should please most fans. The picture (1.85 Anamorphic) has been cleaned and the audio remastered. It looks and sounds great for an 80's action flick. I would imagine that the new release looks as good if not better.

The case is plastic with a standard, simple card insert. The menus are very simple. There's a trailer which is the only extra.

If you get in the mood for a decent action movie or even a thriller go check it out. You'll want to add the newer version to your collection, but if you'd rather have cheap over the extra features, I imagine this version will show up in clearance bins and such. Even if it's not something you want to have in your library it's worth a rental especially if you remember liking it back in the 80's. I give it 3.5* because the DVD doesn't have anything to offer but round it up because I enjoy the movie so much. If the audio/video quality had been any less I would have dropped the rating.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age