Predator

release year: 1987
genre: sci-fi/action
viewing setting: home DVD, 3/24/10 and many other times, including theater in 1987

synopsis: An elite commando unit goes into the South American jungle to retrive some missing diplomats, but is eventually stalked by a hunter who's not from this world.

impressions: This is a military action movie for the first part, a monster movie for the second part, and a one-on-one survival contest for the third part. The directing style is superb, as is the suspense. This is a defining movie of both the sci-fi and action genres.

something this movie has that no other movie has: Arnold, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, and Sonny Landham all in the same place at the same time. That's a lot of testosterone.

acting: Arnold Schwarzenegger is more muscle than acting, as the leader of the special forces unit. Carl Weathers is the former operative turned desk jockey who has his own agenda. Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, and Sonny Landham have good supporting roles as tough commandos. Make no mistake about any of these mens' roles, though - this is definitely a grunting tough-guy movie.

final word: A classic that spawned many sequels and spin-offs in other media (books, comics, video games.)

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