An utterly unique and superb film on many levels

Rating: Null/10 (30 April 2003)

In most of the commentaries given on this film people have cited many of the aspects of Predator that make it one of the best action/horror films ever made. SPOILER!! The aspect of the film i like the best is that it is almost two films with two distinct plots and themes that blend almost seamlessly into one another. In the beginning there are these well armed, well trained commandoes on a cut and dry mission to rescue hostages taken by a guerilla force. They go in, find the hostages dead, eliminate their captors and complete their mission. They are then in a rush against time to evade more guerillas who are hot on their trail. Now, it becomes a different movie, and the Predator aspect of it comes into play. The commandoes are killed one by one in a way that is unpredictable and wonderfully directed. Then it's down to Dutch, Billy, a severely wounded Poncho, and Anna. You think they might just make it to the chopper when in several quick scenes everyone is dead but Dutch and Anna. Anna goes to the chopper and the film evolves again into something wonderfully unique. Dutch vs. the Alien. He has none of his weapons but a knife and his cunning and the Predator is still running at full force. He makes some weapons and metamorphoses into a primal warrior, creating a bow and some primitive explosives from leftover launchable grenades. He sets off to stalk the stalker and it begins with that incredibly memorable war-cry of Arnold's and his rippling, mud covered body holds that massive torch in the air and issues that chilling war cry, inviting the alien to battle. Using not much more than his cunning and his natural surroundings, he traps and kills the physically and technologically more advanced Predator. What a wonderful progression and evolution in one perfect, neat film that certainly shouldn't have been ruined by a sequel. This movie is an A+