Predator - 1987

[Snikt]

If there is a thread dedicated to this classic, i apologize, I searched and could not find it.

Opened 6-12-1987
Budget $15-$18 million
WW Box office: $98 million.

What is it that makes this film such a classic? Why have none of sequels been able to match it completely?

Please discuss and celebrate this film.

For me, this might actually Arnold’s best work as an actor. He genuinely gives a great performance, you believe him in this film as an every man. It might be one of the few of his films to utilize suspense, terror, sci-if and action. I think it’s why I also like End of Days.

Even though there are great one-liners and quotable dialogue, none of it feels forced. It all feels natural. And everyone (except may Jesse Ventura) gives a nice performance.

I might also have a soft spot in my heart for this film because it’s one of the 1st movies in remember watching (at too early of an age ) with my dad. So I always think of him when I watch it.

[Himmel]

A masterpiece, Predator is definitely one of the best alien thrillers ever made. It is my second personal favorite movie next to Alien. Certainly one of the best Arnold movies, along with Terminator 1-2,and Total Recall. Mix a simple but effective story, one cool alien, well directed action scenes, Arnold kicking ass and you get an top notch action movie. Sure, there are some exaggerated macho performances, but John knows how to do it with style.

31 years after its original release, it's hard to believe that there was once a time when John McTiernan's Predator wasn't revered as one of the best action movies of the modern era. Critics savaged the film, although now even the stuffiest of critics cannot deny its shamelessly muscly, bullet-spraying, blood-spattering charm. Predator is now held in as equally high regard as McTiernan's other action classic Die Hard.

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by Himmel

A masterpiece, Predator is definitely one of the best alien thrillers ever made. It is my second personal favorite movie next to Alien. Certainly one of the best Arnold movies, along with Terminator 1-2,and Total Recall. Mix a simple but effective story, one cool alien, well directed action scenes, Arnold kicking ass and you get an top notch action movie. Sure, there are some exaggerated macho performances, but John knows how to do it with style.

31 years after its original release, it's hard to believe that there was once a time when John McTiernan's Predator wasn't revered as one of the best action movies of the modern era. Critics savaged the film, although now even the stuffiest of critics cannot deny its shamelessly muscly, bullet-spraying, blood-spattering charm. Predator is now held in as equally high regard as McTiernan's other action classic Die Hard.

I loved reading how this film was butchered by critics back in the day, but now it’s a classic. Funny how things work out

[CreasyBear]

Pretty much the best action film ever made.

[Jay H.]

Random thoughts:

I enjoy Predator, Predator 2, and Predators equally. The final act of Predator 2 is masterful. The Predator is garbage and I stopped watching about an hour into it. Shame; I usually like Shane Black's stuff.

[Mister_Kidd]

5 stars, of course. What kind of question is this?

I also want to point out that Predator 2 is crazy underrated.

[CSM101]

This movie is comfort food. I’ve watched it about four times since the pandemic/quarantine.

[Toadbully]

Originally Posted by Jay H.

Random thoughts:

I enjoy Predator, Predator 2, and Predators equally. The final act of Predator 2 is masterful. The Predator is garbage and I stopped watching about an hour into it. Shame; I usually like Shane Black's stuff.

I feel like Predators gets a little weak in the third act. Its just not as strong at and that's a shame because that movie is really good.
Predator is amazing obviously. Predator 2 is great.
The Predator is absolute trash. That ending with the Predator Killer is quite possibly the dumbest thing in the entire franchise.
Would have been cool if Royce popped out having escaped the Predator world. Maybe not "cool" but better than the predator killer...

[CreasyBear]

Meh, I like The Predator. None of the sequels come close to the original, but they're all about on the same level for me.

[Cremildo]

I'm long due for a rewatch. I wasn't impressed when I watched it well over a decade ago, but I haven't harbored any strong feelings of distaste for it.

[Ironhorse75]

What a freaking run by McTiernan, Verhoeven, and Carpenter.

[Damon1281]

This is probably my favorite movie ever if I go by re-watches. Action sci-fi with characters that actually look like they could kick someones @ss. Plus, a fairly decent 3D conversion and a great score. 5 stars.


Predator II not so much, but still fun. Gary Busey, Morton Downey, and a miscast Bill Paxton drag this sequel down.


Predators, boring.


The Predator, asinine.

[DR Herbert West]

1. Predator
2. Predator 2

3. Predators



4. AVP

5. The Predator







6. AVP 2

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by CSM101

This movie is comfort food. I’ve watched it about four times since the pandemic/quarantine.

That’s another thing. It’s infinitely rewatchable. The entire 3rd act is pure gold too

[UltraMario9]

First half Rambo + Second half Alien = Perfection

[shinobipopcorn]

I gave it a 3. I like it, but I didn't rate it higher because it's not a movie I can rewatch over and over. The only actor I like is Arnold, and to be frank it's a guy movie. I like Commando a bit more, but Predator has the superior score. I can't help but associate every Silvestri movie with Roger Rabbit though.

Still waiting for Governor Predator...

[Gizz]

I voted five stars. I really love The Predator series of films.

[MattJ1991]

The best thing about this movie is that it could have been an amazing guerilla warfare film, or a great science fiction slasher, but it opted to be both.

[avilab]

Predator is the Gold Standard for action movies.

[voltz]

Real men will rate this five and nothing less.

I really like Predator 2 just as much. People shoot down on it because they expected bigger and better (as usual), but it's actually a good cop meets psychopathic killer story, even though the killer isn't human and there's this whole cartel drug war going.