Predator (1987) / Action-Horror

MPAA Rated: R for gore, violence, and language
Running Time: 107 min.

Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Elpidia Carrillo, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Landham, Richard Chaves, Kevin Peter Hall
Director: John McTiernan
Screenplay: Jim Thomas, John Thomas

 

 

A crew of super-soldier mercenaries are hired to go into the jungles of South America to rescue some downed American statesmen, which turn out to really be CIA operatives. They find them alright, except they have been skinned and disemboweled. They try to make their way back to the helicopter, but someone is hunting them down...and that someone isn't human.

Predator is another terrific action vehicle for Arnie (The Terminator, True Lies), with a likeable and solid cast of costars. McTiernan (Die Hard, The Hunt for Red October) delivers an atmospheric and intensely effective style that will grab you and keep you from beginning to end. It would have been better without the unnecessary dialogue by Schwarzenegger toward the end of the movie, no doubt uttered because the creators felt we might be too stupid to realize what he is thinking.

Followed by a disappointing sequel with a different cast and director, Predator 2.
    
© 1997 Vince Leo