Magical bit of storytelling

Rating: 9/10 (11 August 2005)

Being eleven when i saw this movie probably says more about why i love it than anything else. From the very start when the predator ship falls to earth and when the majestic music of Alan Silvestri kicks in...my god. People tend to overlook a movie like this, saying it's an 'Arnie movie' or that is has no substance. This movie is layered. From the relationship between Dutch and Dillon, Blain and Mac and the entire squad, to the slow realization that they are being hunted by some impossible thing that should not exist. Billy's character is just incredible. His way of seeing the world is unique and interesting. He knows things before anybody else does. One of the most haunting lines in movies is when Billy confesses his fear.
Poncho:"You know something Billy, what is it?"
Billy: "I'm scared."
Poncho:"."Bullshit. You ain't afraid of no man."
Billy: "There's something out there waiting for us and it ain't no man...we're all gonna die."
WOW. And his stand on the bridge. Deciding to take the monster on with just a blade. And i'm so glad we saw nothing of that fight. Just fantastic. The action scenes at the rebel base are dated and way too Hollywood for my taste but i can sit through it knowing it is just a means to an end. Also how dutch escapes that bomb blast at the end is a little mystifying and i would've liked to have seen Dutch get taken out with the Predator but that is just my personal preference on an otherwise magical bit of storytelling.