Predator

Finally sat down to watch this. The biggest thing I noticed for actually seeing this through the entire way for the first time is that it's well-made. Now you might not consider this an amazing compliment from a critic like me, but this was made in 1987, where films were NOTHING but slipshod. This being competently directed, boarded, and acted is actually unusual for this point in time.

Let me be honest. The film is a lot more testosterone-filled than I usually like, and many of the quips are toxic male bullshit. Nevertheless, the film has memorable characters and a cool premise.

Dutch doesn't kill the Predator by outfighting it. That was the rest of the team's mistake. He kills the Predator by outsmarting it.

The Predator's laugh at the end is gonna give me nightmares.

Love Carl Weathers, who was probably detached from the most famous severed arm in film history. SNL did a bit that New York ought to have elected him governor the way California did Ah-nuld, and Minnesota did Jesse Ventura. Come to think of it, this movie DOES have an unusual amount of future governors in the cast. Okay, only two, but that's still a record.

Best unsung actor in the film is Bill Duke as Mac. He is amazing in every frame, and we alternately see Mac taking care of bidness and / or losing his shit, and Duke kills it both ways.

"I ain't got time to bleed." Jesse Ventura is a badass.

That Billy guy is also KIND of a badass, but he also creeps me out, so only partial credit there.

The casting call callback in the end credits is probably the one thing I disliked. Broke the reality a bit too much.

Predator as a film franchise has sort of a shaky reputation. But the first film isn't just great. I think it's probably MUCH better than critics back in 1987 gave it credit for. 4 1/2 stars.

Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

Some interesting archival stuff survived the making of the film. Overall: 3 1.2 stars.

Fleeing The Predator

Ahh! Those bugs! Speculation. Is it possible Arnie in retreat was cut / trimmed because Dutch being in retreat TOO much works against Arnold Schwarzenegger's action movie image? I wonder. 3 stars.

Chameleon

Maybe this was cut because it was a little on the nose? 3 stars.

Building A Trap

This montage was pared down in the film itself. 3 stars.

Sliding Downhill

Not a deleted scene, but more of a blooper / outtake. No sound, but it's still pretty funny. 4 stars.

Theatrical Trailers

Trailers for the first and second movie. Overall: 3 stars.

Predator

Honestly, trailers in the 1980's never wowed me. Until Don La Fontaine got involved, they were all a snooze. 2 1/2 stars.

Predator 2

I'm guessing this is a MUCH worse movie. But it's a MUCH better trailer because La Fontaine is the announcer. It's the only way this works. 4 stars.