I had forgotten how raw this movie was...

Rating: 8/10 (14 May 2009)

Predator.
If you are at home in the sci-fi universe you have probably already watched or at least heard from this movie. Predator is considered a classic must-see in it's genre. And I agree with that.
So what is this movie about? A team of special commandos are send into the jungle to rescue an ambassador from the local rebels. However, when they get to their base they find out that it was all a set-up. Apparently, a different team was send to that area before them, but they all mysteriously disappeared. Soon, the commandos find out that something in the jungle is hunting them and that it's not from this Earth...
A very good cast makes this film far from boring. Arnold as the lead adds his usual share to the movie. It are the other actors that deserve more credit, if you want my honest opinion. There's good chemistry between them and it makes the film more enjoyable.
The story develops at a steady pace, with the strange plot twists now and then that make Predator famous. You will see things that will make you uneasy, so don't watch this if you're under-aged or can't handle some gore. Predator ain't a movie for kids.
That brings me to the real star of the movie, the Predator. At the time, I had no idea that this alien species would ever cross blades with a different, just-as-famous alien race, called the Xenomorphs (or Aliens). The predator is a true work of art. The way it moves, thinks and hunts is unique, to say the least. The effects on the creature are also VERY well done. There isn't a single moment in this movie that I found the creature unrealistic (if that makes sense, since it IS an alien species). The laugh at the end of the movie is perhaps the only thing that's a little out of place though.
I'll be very interested to see how the remake (or reboot) of this movie is gonna turn out. Hopefully they won't ruin too much of the magic of the original film.
Predator is a must-see for Sci-Fi fans and certainly watchable for fans of thriller/horror movies too! I give this movie 8 out of 10 stars.