Predator

Review by James Anthony

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Predator is a movie that all fox hunters should watch. Not for hints on trying to chase down the poor little red-coated creature, but more for the feeling of fear that walks with the stalked combat experts of Arnie Schwarzenegger's crack insertion team.

Flown into a remote part of Central America, Arnie and his boys find themselves not on a rescue mission, but a battle to survive against an alien hunter who is not only hi-tech, but a tough physical - and ugly - specimen as well.

One by one the soldiers, and a captured female rebel, find themselves in the Predator's triangular sights and the movie becomes a Ten Little Indians-style tale.

Now, it's not often that Arnie boy looks scared, but in Predator there are moments when the fear shows through those chiselled features.

The pace, as you would expect, is fast and you rarely have to sit and think about what may, or may not, be across the other side of the tree.

Predator is shot in some beautiful countryside that is as rugged as the insertion team. Thick jungle, fallen-tree bridges, lovely ferns and deep valleys.

The surroundings are counterpointed with some pretty gross scenes - like the skinned corpses and the one where a particularly brave trooper has his spine and skull removed expertly in one piece - but, in general, it is acceptable given the M15+ rating.

The lengthy mind and battle duel between a bow-and-arrow armed Arnie and the alien are thoughtfully done and do not descend into a nonsense.

Predator is an early Arnie movie and so does not compare with the likes of Total Recall or True Lies, but it does have its moments and, after a slow start, will keep you entertained. A good rental movie.

Conclusion: Movie 75%, Extras 30%

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