PopHorror Let's Get Scared
In the summer of 1987 we were introduced to one of the most iconic villains in film: extraterrestrials that were strategic, ritualistic trophy hunters given the name ‘Predator.’ The film of the same name is considered by many to be the ultimate action movie of the 80s. It has an awesome cast, including Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime. It is not only action packed, it definitely has a horror vibe to it and it has a lot of classic one-liners that are part of pop culture. Some famous ones-“Get to da choppa!” and “I ain’t got time to bleed.” It started the Predator franchise, which included branching out with comics based on the film. The original is considered the “cream of the crop” of Predator films. While I do consider it a favorite, and you can read more fun facts about Predator here. I’m here to talk about my absolute favorite Predator movie, Predators.
Predators is celebrating 15 years this month. Let’s look back!
Synopsis from IMDb:
A group of elite warriors parachute into an unfamiliar jungle and are hunted by members of a merciless alien race.
Predators is actually the third film in the Predator series (not the AVP series). There is a Predator 2 film starring Danny Glover from 1990, while not a favorite, it has grown on me over the years of rewatches. A fun fact I just learned reading through IMDb. The reason why the film isn’t called Predator 3, and was called Predators, was a tribute to Alien and the sequel to Alien, they just added the “s” to make it plural, Aliens.
Have a look at the trailer below!
“It’s a game preserve…and we’re the game.”
Predators was a concept that was created by Richard Rodriguez, back in 1995 when he was working on the film Desperado. He presented it to 20th Century Fox and they turned it down, the budget was too large. They decided pursue the script and revise the script fifteen years later. When Richard Rodriguez was asked what inspired him make a Predator film, he said “he was inspired what to do from Predator (1987), and what not to do by Predator 2 (1990), Alien vs. Predator (2004), and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007).”
Richard Rodriguez didn’t direct Predators, he wrote and produced it. It was directed by Nimród Antal. Previous to Predators, he directed Vacancy (2007) and Armored (2009). The film’s cast is Adrien Brody (Royce), Topher Grace (Edwin), Alice Braga (Isabelle), Walton Goggins (Stans), Laurence Fisburne (Ronald Noland), Oleg Taktarov (Nikolai), Louis Ozawa (Hanzo), Mahershala Ali (Mombasa) and Danny Trejo (Cuchillo). Carey Jones plays the ‘Tracker Predator” and Derek Mears plays the “Classic Predator”.
A lot of fans weren’t happy about this casting before they saw the movie. It just didn’t seem to fit a “Predator” movie. They couldn’t have been more wrong. This cast fits this movie perfectly. Each actor owned his or her role. They were believable in every way and they jelled together. The plot is simple and in my opinion just what the franchise needed. It was time to change it up, Predators have already come here to Earth, let’s go to their homeland and be hunted there. That’s how the movie opens, the elite warriors were hand chosen to be literally dropped on this planet to be hunted by Predators. They, of course, have no memory as to where they are. As they are trying to determine where they are, they soon realize they aren’t on Earth and they need to get off this planet.
They also soon realize there is no other humans on this island, they are first attacked by creatures that are like hunting dogs. Royce realizes that they are being hunted on this planet and they need to find the way out of the planet. They do meet Ronald Noland (Laurence Fishburne), who has survived for about 10 years there. They learn more about the creatures hunting them from him. Unfortunately that situation goes south and the team is left to fend for themselves. They continue to lose members of the pack in the booby trapped jungle and at the hands of the Predators.
Royce (Adrien Brody) is an action hero for modern times. While there is plenty of action, he brings more of a calm to the movie, using his mind first and not just blowing up things like Predator (1987). Isabelle (Alice Braga) isn’t a damsel in distress, she is fighting along with them. But what I like is she still has caring feelings and put others first, but still remained fearless. Stans (Walton Goggins) brings comedic relief to the film. Hanzo (Louis Ozawa), speaks very few words, but is outstanding. Edwin (Topher Grace) is a character that I admit, should have saw what he was up to but didn’t. A surprising twist near the end.
Final Thought
What is cool is this film is its own film. It is not a direct scene for scene of Predator (1987), though they did put some nostalgic nods to the first film.
Predators is available to rent and own on digital platforms and is streaming now on Hulu and Disney Plus.
