Run Through the Jungle!

Rating: 7/10 (4 December 2018)

"Predator" was one of star Arnold Schwarzeneggar's better films of the 80s. He was in top physical condition as evidenced by his bulging biceps which are on display throughout the film.
Dutch (Arnold) and his elite rescue team land in a remote unnamed Latin country. In addition to himself, there is Mac (Bill Duke), Blain (Jesse Ventura), Billy (Sonny Landham), Poncho (Richard Chaves) and Hawkins (Shane Black). They are there to assist CIA Colonel Dillon (Carl Weathers) in rescuing a cabinet minister (from where we are not told), who has been kidnapped.
As they plod through the dense jungle, they find a wrecked helicopter and later the crew skinned alive and left hanging from the trees. Later they come upon a rebel guerilla camp where the prisoners are being held. Dutch and his team, in typical Arnold fashion, wipe out the camp in an exciting sequence without sustaining a casualty. They take a young woman, Anna, prisoner and hold her for questioning.
It is at this point that Dutch realizes that they have been duped as there is no cabinet minister and no ransom demand. It seems that in order to acquire the services of Dutch and his team, the caper had to appear to be a rescue mission. But the troubles for the group are just beginning.
From the opening scene we are aware that some form of alien has been dropped off on earth for an unknown reason. The alien has the power to cloak himself so that he cannot be seen. He begins to stalk the crew. Anna tries to escape and is caught by Hawkins. They are the first to be attacked by the alien predator (Kevin Peter Hall) who appears to be hunting each member of the crew. Hawkins is brutally slain but Anna is spared. The predator with its advanced weaponry and gadgets is no match for the crew.
One by one each man is brutally killed until only Dutch and Anna remain. Dutch sends her to find the waiting helicopter while he prepares for a final showdown with the predator. The final 15 or 20 minutes of the film is all Arnold and the predator. A cat and mouse game between the two ensues and............................
Lots of blood and gore in this one. From the attack on the Guerilla camp to the final showdown, bodies pile up and blood spatters throughout. Not for the faint of heart "The Predator" is nonetheless an excellent action adventure. I thought the opening scene where an alien is "dropped off" on earth gave away the surprise of the predator hiding in the jungle. The reason for his presence is never really explained nor is the country where the action takes place, unless I missed it, is not named.
Vintage Arnold.