Logan Sork Film Reviews
Predator
The period from the late 1908’s through the early 1990’s was considered the golden age for the action film genre. These films often had heroes who were muscle bound, loud explosions and fight scenes and cheesy one liners that can still be remembered to this day. These films often tended to blend together as a result of the clichés that were established during the period. Then along came Predator. It had all the clichés mentioned before, muscular heroes, cheesy one liners and loud action. But there is a point at which the film subverts the genre expectations at the time and becomes something truly unique. Both a celebration and a satire of the 1980’s action flick.
The film is directed by John McTiernan and stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Dutch, the leader of a military rescue team that is tasked by the U.S government to rescue hostages from Central America. As the head further into the dense jungle on their mission, they slowly begin to realize that they have become prey for an extra-terrestrial hunter. They must abandon their mission and work together to stop the predator before they become trophies to the alien creature.
What works about this film is the way that it gives you plenty of the genre expectations for a testosterone filled 80’s action flick, while also offering something new and unexpected. The film starts off with a simple enough premise seen in many films of the genre, a group of soldiers must rescue a group of hostages from some stereotypical evil people. This sounds straightforward, but as the film continues, there are subtle hints dropped about the films changing tone and impending danger. This is mainly done through editing and sound. As the men move on their mission to investigate the last known location, the editing and music are fast paced and quick. This is interrupted every so often as the music becomes ominous and the fast-paced cuts are replaced with unbroken shots of jungle trees, almost as if focusing on something we cannot see. The discovery of mutilated corpses is even more unsettling, implying that something even more sinister lurks within the trees.
The entire first act of the film is basically a generic action film in which people say one liners and there are a lot of explosions. What makes this unique however is the way it concludes. Th first act culminates in a large battle between the small band of soldiers and a guerilla placement that has kidnapped the hostages. This battle is everything the 80’s action films were about: loud explosions, over the top deaths and cheesy one-liners. The battle even seems like it would be placed at the end of a movie like this. What sets this apart is that the men fail to rescue the hostages in time and must return to the base defeated. Usually, the men portrayed in this type of film would save the day and be heroes. It is from here that the film stops obeying the genre expectations and becomes a different beast.
As the men trek through the jungle, they start to become weary that something is not right amongst them. It is at this point that one of the men is killed by the creature, with each one being hunted down one by one soon after. This is perhaps the biggest change in terms of genre, the invincibility of the characters. Many men like this in other action films would be invincible to anything the villains would throw at them. Here however, we have an alien being capable of hunting down and exterminating these types of characters as if they were normal civilians. The deaths of the men show that the predator is even more terrifying, as it is capable of hunting down characters thought to be invincible. The predator’s design is also unique and different, as it utilizes advanced alien weaponry, but also draws inspiration from the hunters of tribal civilizations. This design and hunting techniques make it a true force to be reckoned with.
While the film is a true subversion of the genre, it can also be appreciated for embracing its roots in the action genre. There are some truly amazing action sequences that still hold up to this day. There are also some great moments between the cast, as they manage to portray true comradery amongst each other. This really come into play when the predator hunts them down and we hope that they can escape, as opposed to not caring at all. The film also has multiple one liners within its script that have now become legendary phrases in popular culture. All of this is brought together through McTiernan’s excellent direction, allowing it to succeed both as an 80’s action flick and an alien horror film.
Predator is a truly unique masterpiece of the action genre. On one hand, you have the classic genre clichés that are utilized so well. The cheesy one-liners, the quick action and overall feel of adrenaline in the first half. On the other hand, as the film reaches its second half it subverts many expectations that have come with the genre. These two mindsets blend seamlessly to create a truly unique experience. Part adrenaline pumping action, part alien hunter thrill ride, one unforgettable film.
9/10