Violent and Fantastic 80s Sci-Fi Action

Rating: 8/10 (2 January 2010)

"Predator" of 1987 is probably one of the most famous Sci-Fi/Action flicks of the 80s, and my choice for Arnold Schwarzenegger's second-greatest film after the 1984 masterpiece "Terminator" (with "Conan The Barbarian" and "Total Recall" on close third and fourth places). "Predator" follows a quite simplistic plot, and, in this case, this is a good thing, as the story is executed in an ingenious manner. Directed by action-expert John McTiernan, who is probably best known for "Die Hard", "Predator" is an incredibly entertaining and highly suspenseful blend of typical 80s-Action and gory Sci-Fi Horror which doesn't cease to be exciting for even a second.
A group of commandos led by Major Alan 'Dutch' Schaefer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) are sent on a rescue-mission to the jungle of Guatemala, where a minister is supposed to be held hostage by Guerillas. After discovering the skinned corpses of another special task force, the elite soldiers find themselves hunted down by an unknown and invisible fiend...
"Predator" is an action film that succeeds in all regards. The film is fantastically shot in a great, menacing jungle setting. The effects and action sequences are made with perfection, and the violence is very gory, probably the goriest in any Schwarzenegger film. This is not the kind of film that calls for brilliant character performances, and Schwarzenegger fits perfectly in his role as do the other members of the cast. The commandos include Schwarzenegger's fellow actor-turned-governor Jesse Ventura as well as the always-imposing Bill Duke and Carl Weathers (who is best known for the role of Apollo Creed in Rocky). The ravishing Epilarda Carillo is very beautiful in the sole female role; she doesn't have a lot to say though. Without giving away too much, I can say that the highly memorable eponymous villain is truly menacing. Basically, "Predator" delivers everything one can hope for in a good-action flick: great cinematography, great action, great suspense, very gory violence, and, simply put, 100 minutes of pure testosterone-driven entertainment that is stunning and intense from the beginning to the end.