Release Date: 12 June, 1987
What's It About: US military solders are tasked with the job of recovering a United States official held hostage in Guatemala. What they don't know is that their presence is being watched by something extraterrestrial who hunts men for sport...
The Good: Amazing makeup and special effects. Although this starts out as a run of the mill 1980s war action film, it quickly escalates into something out of science fiction once the role of the Predator becomes more prominent. There's alot of tension between Dutch and the Predator, and the creature is truly something worth our fear. There are plenty of iconic one scenes and one liners from this film that you're bound to remember long after you leave the theater.
The Bad: It's got a very stripped, simplistic storyline. Even for an action film, there isn't much beyond the US soldier team and the Predator. Even the human adversaries are quickly dispatched and forgotten about to make way for the Predator scenes in the second half of the film. It truly is mind-numbing popcorn entertainment, but it is a rather good one at that. It is also extremely violent, so be mindful of that walking in.
Best Performance: Arnold Schwarzenegger as Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer. In one of his more memorable roles, Arnold plays a veteran combat soldier. He brings all of his physicality into the role, but in this outing he is the one who looks severely outmatched by the sheer bulk and size of the titular Predator alien. Arnold is the submissive one in this film, and that is not something we are used to seeing. He brings all of his wit and charm to the role, however, and there's plenty of him to see and love.
Should I Watch It: One of the better science fiction action films of the 1980s and one that spawned not only a franchise of its own but a crossover franchise with Alien. If you love action, this is a must-see. There's something very gritty and grisly about this film, which holds no punches with its depiction of violence.
Post-Credits Scene: No
Similar Films: Aliens (1986), Commando (1985), The Abyss (1989)
Trailer: 