Rent Predator (1987)

All time classic - Predator review by JD

This film is a class act, one of the very best sci-fi OR action films ive ever seen.

Everything about the film feels right, right from the opening scenes. Its superbly directed and the main cast, an unbound team of soldiers (the film avoids any cheese and as such Arnies squad never gets named) are brilliant. There is no shakey cam here, its all proper action by proper action actors.

Indeed, if this film was just them mooching around the jungle it would still of been an excellent film.

But they run into something they dont expect.

Unlike other films where its pretty obvious the generic cast of monster fodder soldiers are all going to die, and probably quite quickly and with a lot of wimpering, here it has you thinking its the monster who is in trouble. And again, unlike modern films this is well cast as an equal fight. Arnies team are the 'best' as is there oppenent. Its an epic fight.

They really dont make films like this anymore.

Fantastically Entertaining - Never Bettered - Predator review by GI

The quintessential science fiction action film that has yet to be surpassed. Brilliantly edited and with a really great story and one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's best performances. Cleverly the film doesn't try to hide its intentions, it signposts its genre from the outset as we get a full on space setting for the opening with the arrival of an alien spacecraft in the Earth's atmosphere. Then we get the introduction of the main characters with Schwarzenegger's Dutch, the leader of a Special Forces Unit, and his team and Carl Weathers' CIA man, Dillon. They are sent into the jungles of Central America to rescue some hostages held by some nasty guerrillas. But they soon discover that their mission has a different agenda under the control of Dillon. But after a violent gun battle in the jungle the team discover they have become hunted by the visiting alien and must use all their skills to survive. The film builds tension in not revealing the alien's appearance although we get to be aware of its presence very early in the film. When this film first arrived the design and look of the creature was highly original and it is a brilliant conception by Stan Winston and a worthy adversary for Schwarzenegger. The action scenes in this film are grittily realistic and certainly director John McTiernan proves he is adept at extended action set pieces. This remains a stunningly entertaining film. Yes it's a macho action fest but that's what makes it so good. This is the first, the best and the only Predator film. None of the sequels or spin-offs has come close in story or style probably because Arnie refused to be involved with any of them.

A complete classic 80's action/thriller/horror film, with an almost never better Arnie - Predator review by Timmy B

One of the classics.

Packed full of one liners, dated and schlocky but excellently shot action scenes, plus what at the time was a really groundbreaking premise and special effects.

A band of rag-tag mercenaries are parachuted into the jungle to track down a missing team. What they discover and the subsequent escape is the driving force of the story.

This film, along with Commando, cemented Arnold Schwarzenegger's cult status, and with good reason. He is the best thing about it and fully embraced the ridiculous but also serious tone as well.

As much as there have been sequels and reboots, nothing comes close to this. Stick it on the TV, grab some popcorn, invite round some friends, leave all notions of seriousness at the door and enjoy one of the best and most influential action films ever made.