Predator - a Movie Review

Thanks to the latest information on the upcoming release of Robert Rodriguez's Predators, I worked myself up enough to watch the first two. I even felt the need to write an article based on the original; which is unfortunately what you find yourself reading now. Let's break it down. Beware of spoilers if you have yet to see the film.

We open with credits of an all star cast portraying an elite team sent to rescue hostages from guerrilla territory in Central America. Leader of the team is present day governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, who appears to be highly trained and recommended for the job. The film delivers his thoughts with expressed and riveting acting skills, which makes me curious how much English he knew at this point in his career. Apollo Creed, I mean Carl Weathers, is advised to monitor the mission; whom the team obviously despises because of his latest pogue status. The remaining members comprising the team include former governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, Sonny Landham, Richard Chavez and screenwriter Shane Black.

After a nearly successful mission, with one hostage obtained, the crew journeys through the jungle to rendezvous at the extraction point. However, things become complicated shortly after two of the team is picked off by a "camouflaged lizard." Apparently, the predator is wounded and Arnold suggests that a trap may hinder it long enough to be killed. Unfortunately, if this was the case the movie would have ended with a few more survivors. Instead, Chavez is wounded and accompanied to the extraction site alongside Arnold, our Native American friend Sonny, and the hostage. Apollo and Bill Duke decide to take the route of revenge, and fail miserably. As this is a review and not the entire plot summary, I will conclude by saying that Arnold survives after a hand to hand battle with the predator, and is eventually transported home along with the hostage survivor. Closing credits appear, The End.

If you can manage the poor one liners delivered especially by Arnold's character, along with a two minute close-up of his and Apollo's muscles tensing together in the beginning, the movie is phenomenal and deserves the reputation of classic. It is action mixed with a bit of sci-fi, so of course the reality remains that of questionable. But the characters have an on screen chemistry, and the dialogue is straight to the point, with the exception of a few jokes that add a comedic sense to the film. I don't think we can expect this quality in the 2010 release of Predators. Adrian Brody, who is one of my favorite actors, is transitioning into an action star and will lead the team of mercenaries this time around; quite the opposite of Arnold's body-building physique. Little specifics are known at this time, but I am curious to see where they take it.