Predator (1987) Review. ~ drawn quarterly

Thoughts: Predator, the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger action thriller directed by John McTiernan, who would later go on to direct the original Die Hard.

Directed by: John McTiernan
Genre: Action, Action Thriller, Sci-Fi,
Release Date: June 12, 1987
Running Time: 107 minutes
MMPA rating: R

The Good: Great action, Surprising amount of tension, Excellent special effects for the time, Original plot, Good mix of action and suspense,

The Bad: Some clichés and cheesy dialogue,

Plot: 7.9/10- The concept is original, however some of the dialogue is corny. Despite this, the plot is surprising smart and fun.

Action: 8.3/10- While it is not a pure film, there are enough action and thrills to entertain.

Acting: 6.9/10- Let's face it, Arnold Schwarzenegger is not a great actor, however you know exactly what are getting when you watch one of his movies. You just cannot criticize his performance. As for the other cast, they mostly gave average performances with some cheesy dialogue delivery.

Special effects: 8.6/10- The practical effects still look just as good as they did 25 years ago.

Soundtrack: 8.1/10- Alan Silvestri's score is excellent, adding to the tension of the film.

Comedy: 5.8/10- There are a few humorous parts and the cheesy lines were funny as well.

Would I Watch This Again: Although upon multiple the suspense if lost (this was my second viewing), it is a fun watch.

Overall: 8.0/10- Overall Predator is one of Schwarzenegger's best and it is always fun to watch him shoot things.

Closing comments: The unique mix of sci-fi and tension into the typical action film makes Predator different than most 80s action movies. But always remember "GET TO DA CHOPPA!"

Recommended for: Action fans, Thriller fans , Sci-Fi fans, Schwarzenegger fans,

Thanks to Buddy2Blogger for requesting I review this classic film.

Warning: This movie is rated "R" for graphic violence, profanity, and other mature content.

Plot: The following plot summery is copied from Wikipedia.com.
An alien spacecraft enters the Earth's atmosphere and jettisons a pod, which descends to Central America. Some time later, Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) arrives in Guatemala with his elite team for an operation to rescue a presidential cabinet minister and his aide who were abducted by guerrilla forces in Val Verde. Dutch's old military buddy, now working for the CIA, George Dillon (Carl Weathers), steps in as a liaison and joins the team: Mac Eliot (Bill Duke), Blain Cooper (Jesse Ventura), Billy Sole (Sonny Landham), Jorge "Poncho" Ramirez (Richard Chaves), and Rick Hawkins (Shane Black). The team is inserted into the jungle by helicopter and begins its hunt.
They soon find the wreckage of a downed helicopter, and later, the remains of several skinned bodies identified to be an Army Special Forces unit, whose presence in the country mystifies Dutch. They track the guerillas to a heavily defended rebel encampment which they destroy, except for a woman named Anna (Elpidia Carrillo) whom they take prisoner. Dutch is enraged when Dillon confesses the rescue mission had been a ploy to get his group to attack the camp and that the men they found earlier disappeared in the failed rescue of two CIA agents. As the team make their way to the extraction point, they are observed from afar by an unknown creature using thermal imaging. Watch the movie to see what happens next.