I Ain't Got Time To Bleed!

Rating: 7/10 (18 July 2008)

Arnie once again dons his self destructing shirt and large weapon for a brief spot of jungle warfare. After Dutch (Arnie) and his team are sent on a rescue mission, joined by Dillon (Carl Weathers) things get a bit hairy. As usual Arnie has been lead into a scrupulous situation filled with Rebels armed to the teeth with all manner of explosives and ballistics and some nice skinless corpses to decorate the trees, like Christmas baubles. Fortunately, Arnie (as usual) is prepared and flexes his biceps while firing more one liners than bullets. The film then takes a sci fi twist, and the team of elite soldiers are pitted against an alien warrior who finds hunting muscular strong men a form of sport.
The balance of tension plus all guns blazing action work really well, and the use of some decent (yet a bit dated) special effects top off the experience. Although Predator isn't exactly artistic, it delivers its narrative effectively nevertheless. You certainly get all the bang you could want for your buck here, as usual with an Arnie film.
The rest of the cast were also really enjoyable to watch and the subtle blend of humour and at times drama came across brilliantly. The characters weren't over developed nor were they linear and pointless. Each character had a role, unlike most action films in which the supporting cast are cast aside like a used tissue after a certain cinematic event.
Overall, Predator kept me interested for its running time and unlike most modern action farces, didn't trail off in the last half hour, reducing me to a tearful and bored wreck. The soundtrack worked well with the events and the setting was well planned and coincided beautifully with the narrative.
Action and Arnie fans should enjoy, yet if your after a more serious sci-fi horror/action try Alien/s