Review of Predator (1987) by Johnathon W — 01 May 2016

Classic action/horror film that ranks as one of the best of the genre, along with being one of Schwarzenegger's best movies. The cast is solid & fun, with the filmmaker giving them time to develop so you care about them when before they start getting picked off.

Schwarzenegger is at his charismatic best but allows room for the others to shine (Ventura delivers one-liners as good as Arnold while Bill Duke gives a compelling performance as a soldier slowly unraveling).

Behind the camera, director John McTieran keeps things simple but tense, wisely hiding the Predator to the last second while building up the cast. What makes the story so cool is it follows the classic slasher trope, though this time it's an alien killing off an elite army unit.

The first action scene is superb in showing how capable they are, so when the Predator does so up, he's even scary. The Predator itself remains a marvelous creation, thanks in large part to the late, great Stan Winston's brilliant creature design along with innovative special effects that still work today (the combination of invisibility & infrared vision is lethal).

Overall, just a great film from beginning to end, and the best of all the genres it represents.