Action Sci-Fi Horror Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (11 September 2017)

Predator is a true sci-fi action horror movie, even to this day it has hardly aged at all and is still as tense, atmospheric and suspenseful as it was 30 years ago. What makes Predator so insanely good is: 1.) Characters- They all act realistically(unlike marines in Aliens) and they work as a team really well together. Even though there isn't a lot of time in the movie for character development they are still very well distinguished and memorable. 2.) Soundtrack- Something else... Brilliantly composed by Alan Silvestri far more nuanced then Back to the Future only adds more layers of depth to the whole movie as it's perfectly captures the essence of the jungle and the whole action horror sci-fi themes. 3.) Cinematography- This movie is shot in real life jungle and Donald McAlpine perfectly captures the atmosphere with carefully placed imagery which only act to draw the viewer more into the movie. 4.) Direction- It's well established fact that John McTiernan is one of the best action directors of all time and it really shows in the movie. Perfect pacing and very well shot in general with a lot of clarity in the scenes as to what is happening on screen. 5.) Predator himself -There can barely be anything new said to just how well realized the creature is. Very believable scary and awesome. A perfect adversary for the commandos, maybe a little overpowered, but that only adds to the tension and the whole despair of the situation they are in as they try to survive.
All of these work together perfectly to draw the viewer into the film and you will be finding yourself forgetting that you are indeed watching a movie. A very claustrophobic and tense atmosphere manifests itself into the movie and i at times felt anxiety because of it. When a movie induces anxiety in you you know it's a very good movie. The only other movies i remember that did that was Alien 1979 and The Thing 1982.
There have been complaints about the thin plot of the movie, but that hardly diminishes the quality of the movie as Predator is more about situation the commandos found themselves in than it is about the plot. The only complaint i have is maybe the silly one-liners at the beginning of the movie and also editing lacking in some places, but those are quickly forgotten as the whole movie is just so good.
In the end Predator is a masterpiece along with Alien 1979 and The Thing 1982. It takes the viewer brilliantly through the movie as you watch the noose getting tighter and tighter and the tension rising and rising all the way to it's brilliantly realized conclusion. Highly recommended.