Predator (film): Difference between revisions
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== Main Cast == | == Main Cast == | ||
'''Arnold Schwarzenegger''' as '''Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer''' | * '''Arnold Schwarzenegger''' as '''Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer''' | ||
'''Carl Weathers''' as '''Dillon''' | * '''Carl Weathers''' as '''Dillon''' | ||
'''Jesse Ventura''' as '''Blain Cooper''' | * '''Jesse Ventura''' as '''Blain Cooper''' | ||
'''Bill Duke''' as '''Mac Eliot''' | * '''Bill Duke''' as '''Mac Eliot''' | ||
'''Richard Chaves''' as '''Poncho''' | * '''Richard Chaves''' as '''Poncho''' | ||
'''Sonny Landham''' as '''Billy Sole''' | * '''Sonny Landham''' as '''Billy Sole''' | ||
'''Shane Black''' as '''Hawkins''' | * '''Shane Black''' as '''Hawkins''' | ||
'''Kevin Peter Hall''' as '''The Predator''' | * '''Kevin Peter Hall''' as '''The Predator''' | ||
== Characters == | == Characters == | ||
'''Dutch Schaefer:''' The seasoned leader of the commando unit, who ultimately faces the Predator alone in a battle of wits and survival. | * '''Dutch Schaefer:''' The seasoned leader of the commando unit, who ultimately faces the Predator alone in a battle of wits and survival. | ||
'''Dillon:''' A CIA operative and Dutch’s old comrade, who manipulates the team into completing a secret black-ops mission. | * '''Dillon:''' A CIA operative and Dutch’s old comrade, who manipulates the team into completing a secret black-ops mission. | ||
'''Mac, Blain, Billy, Poncho, Hawkins:''' Dutch’s highly skilled team, each killed by the Predator as the hunt intensifies. | * '''Mac, Blain, Billy, Poncho, Hawkins:''' Dutch’s highly skilled team, each killed by the Predator as the hunt intensifies. | ||
'''The Jungle Hunter:''' A Yautja warrior on a trophy hunt, using thermal vision, cloaking, and plasma weaponry. | * '''The Jungle Hunter:''' A Yautja warrior on a trophy hunt, using thermal vision, cloaking, and plasma weaponry. | ||
== Predator Technology == | == Predator Technology == | ||
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''Predator'' was a box office hit and became a cult classic. While initially receiving mixed reviews, it has since been recognized as one of the best action and sci-fi films of the 1980s. | ''Predator'' was a box office hit and became a cult classic. While initially receiving mixed reviews, it has since been recognized as one of the best action and sci-fi films of the 1980s. | ||
'''Rotten Tomatoes:''' 80% | * '''Rotten Tomatoes:''' 80% | ||
'''Metacritic:''' 45/100 | * '''Metacritic:''' 45/100 | ||
'''CinemaScore:''' B+ | * '''CinemaScore:''' B+ | ||
The film launched a franchise that includes multiple sequels, crossover films, novels, comics, and games. | The film launched a franchise that includes multiple sequels, crossover films, novels, comics, and games. | ||
| Line 72: | Line 72: | ||
* The rivalry between Predator and human warriors | * The rivalry between Predator and human warriors | ||
The film’s legacy lives on in sequels such as ''[[Predator 2]]'', ''[[Predators (2010)]]'', and ''[[Prey (2022)]]'', as well as crossovers like ''[[Alien vs. Predator ( | The film’s legacy lives on in sequels such as ''[[Predator 2]]'', ''[[Predators (2010)]]'', and ''[[Prey (2022)]]'', as well as crossovers like ''[[Alien vs. Predator (film)]]''. | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[Predator 2]] | * [[Predator 2]] | ||
* [[The Predator ( | * [[The Predator (film)]] | ||
* [[Prey (2022)]] | * [[Prey (2022)]] | ||
* [[Yautja (Predator species)]] | * [[Yautja (Predator species)]] | ||
| Line 82: | Line 82: | ||
* [[Jungle Hunter (Predator)]] | * [[Jungle Hunter (Predator)]] | ||
* [[Predator Technology]] | * [[Predator Technology]] | ||
* [[Predator Franchise]] | * [[Predator Franchise]] | ||
== External Links == | == External Links == | ||
Latest revision as of 13:11, 8 July 2025
Predator (1987)
Predator is a 1987 science fiction action film directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film follows an elite team of military commandos on a rescue mission in a Central American jungle who find themselves hunted by a technologically advanced alien known as the Predator.
Combining action, suspense, and horror elements, Predator is considered a genre-defining classic that launched the long-running Predator franchise. It introduced the Yautja species, known for their honor-based hunting rituals and iconic thermal vision, cloaking, and weaponry.
Release Information
- Release Date: June 12, 1987 (USA)
- Director: John McTiernan
- Screenplay: Jim Thomas, John Thomas
- Studio: 20th Century Fox
- Runtime: 107 minutes
- Rating: R
- Budget: $15 million
- Box Office: $98 million (worldwide)
Synopsis
A covert U.S. military team led by Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer is sent into the jungles of Central America on a supposed hostage rescue mission. As the squad proceeds deeper into the jungle, they discover that the mission was a setup and they were actually sent to eliminate insurgents.
Soon, the team encounters a new threat: a mysterious creature that hunts them one by one. Invisible, intelligent, and armed with advanced alien technology, the Predator kills the soldiers for sport. As Dutch’s team is picked off, he must rely on instinct, tactics, and brute strength to confront the alien hunter in a final showdown.
Main Cast
- Arnold Schwarzenegger as Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer
- Carl Weathers as Dillon
- Jesse Ventura as Blain Cooper
- Bill Duke as Mac Eliot
- Richard Chaves as Poncho
- Sonny Landham as Billy Sole
- Shane Black as Hawkins
- Kevin Peter Hall as The Predator
Characters
- Dutch Schaefer: The seasoned leader of the commando unit, who ultimately faces the Predator alone in a battle of wits and survival.
- Dillon: A CIA operative and Dutch’s old comrade, who manipulates the team into completing a secret black-ops mission.
- Mac, Blain, Billy, Poncho, Hawkins: Dutch’s highly skilled team, each killed by the Predator as the hunt intensifies.
- The Jungle Hunter: A Yautja warrior on a trophy hunt, using thermal vision, cloaking, and plasma weaponry.
Predator Technology
The Predator wields advanced tools and weapons, including:
- Cloaking device for invisibility
- Thermal imaging helmet
- Shoulder-mounted plasma caster
- Wrist blades
- Voice mimicry
- Self-destruct device for honorable death
Themes
Survival of the Fittest: The film explores primal survival instincts, contrasting human cunning and brute force with alien technology. The Hunter and the Hunted: A central theme as the elite human soldiers become prey to a lone predator. Honor in Combat: The Predator spares unarmed targets and discards its technology for a final hand-to-hand fight, showing a code of honor. Masculinity and Violence: The film critiques and indulges in the hyper-masculinity of 1980s action cinema.
Production
Filmed primarily in the jungles of Mexico, Predator faced harsh weather and challenging conditions. The original creature design was replaced mid-production, leading to a complete redesign by Stan Winston Studio in collaboration with James Cameron.
Kevin Peter Hall portrayed the Predator in a practical suit, using stilts and animatronic elements to bring the alien to life. The film’s soundtrack was composed by Alan Silvestri and became iconic in its own right.
Reception
Predator was a box office hit and became a cult classic. While initially receiving mixed reviews, it has since been recognized as one of the best action and sci-fi films of the 1980s.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
- Metacritic: 45/100
- CinemaScore: B+
The film launched a franchise that includes multiple sequels, crossover films, novels, comics, and games.
Legacy
Predator introduced the Yautja species and established core franchise elements:
- The jungle as a hunting ground
- The Predator’s unique arsenal and hunting code
- The idea of humans proving themselves as worthy prey
- The rivalry between Predator and human warriors
The film’s legacy lives on in sequels such as Predator 2, Predators (2010), and Prey (2022), as well as crossovers like Alien vs. Predator (film).
See Also
- Predator 2
- The Predator (film)
- Prey (2022)
- Yautja (Predator species)
- Dutch Schaefer
- Jungle Hunter (Predator)
- Predator Technology
- Predator Franchise