MovieChat Forums > Predator (1987) Discussion > The little things in the movie....

The little things in the movie....

posted 2 years ago by Ripkens25 (1898)
28 replies | jump to latest

I rewatched this movie again the other night, and it STILL holds up so well. It makes modern, CGI-laden action flicks look so bad, poorly-conceived and pussified.

(The Road Warrior is another film that falls into this category). Tough and gritty, unapologetically.

And while Predator was just meant to be a fun romp with this fantastic cast...lots of machine guns, explosions and carnage (staples of the 80’s)....it has those nice little touches that elevate it above your typical C-movie, cookie-cutter machine gun fest. And those touches are usually thanks to having a good director.

One example of a very small decision (probably by the director) which creates a special moment in the film....is when, after the whole unit unleashes an amazing barrage of firepower into the jungle (toward the direction they think the Predator is), they eventually stop, almost simultaneously, creating an almost perfect silence, except for the sound of Mac’s revolving gun barrels.

That sound...of metal grinding away on metal...all ammo spent....and, Mac’s finger just LOCKED on the trigger....before finally releasing....just brilliant.
Whoever made the decision for that little moment—just brilliant.

What are some other cool little touches in this movie?

[–] Ripkens25 (1898) 2 years ago

Bump

[–] kittmaster (43) 2 years ago

I think when you are presented with something so unearthly like a creature that is nearly transparent.....even the most highly trained combat operative would move to the next level of WTF and fear....holding the trigger like that until it "stops"......was exactly the right visceral response. I wish they would make more movies using these techniques...CGI has its place..but this is one of my favorites right behind Aliens (1986).

[–] Ripkens25 (1898) 2 years ago

Yes, Aliens was a great theater experience. Still holds up!

[–] kittmaster (43) 2 years ago

I remember seeing the theatrical version and it became my favorite all time movie.....then somewhere in years later when they released the extended version with the tunnel guns and missing footage.....that REALLY made the movie in my opinion.

I agree, the tech aspect still holds up and a great story too.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (71468) 2 years ago

Good point.

Both were released about a year apart, I think a lot of 80s action fans would have trouble picking Aliens (86) or Predator (87) as better…both were perfect.
I don’t think I can.

[–] Nanook (1414) 2 years ago

The mouth design of the Predator was something I hadn't seen before, and only recently discovered it closely resembles the fangs of a gaboon viper, which independently "walk" when they bite, inflicting multiple envenomating punctures.

As you say, sometimes the difference between a good and great film are the little touches that make it stand out. The first thing I think of is the moment an explosion happens in space in Firefly, it didn't go "BOOM." That made me smile and nod.

[–] spurtle467 (1498) 2 years ago

When Dutch is about to bash the Predator's head in with a rock to finish it off and notices it's bleeding heavily and practically dead anyway, and he asks "What the hell are you?". They could have left it at that but they had the Predator repeat back in its alien voice what Dutch just said. It adds another level of strangeness about this creature for us and Dutch to consider.

[–] acelesson (688) 2 years ago

I took that as the predator also asking Arnie the same question...almost as if it has never seen a warrior like Arnold.

[–] spurtle467 (1498) 2 years ago

I hadn't thought of that but yeah that's one possibility.

[–] andersonb85 (1579) 2 years ago

I just watched it and it is one of the few Arnold action movies that holds up over the decades. I still get that kick I got from the first viewing👍

[–] millsey72 (9530) 2 years ago

This movie was one of his more ridiculous over the top movies. Thats why I prefer Commando to this one

[–] andersonb85 (1579) 2 years ago

That's what I think of commando. We should just agree to disagree.

[–] Ripkens25 (1898) 2 years ago

One of my pet peeves with Commando is….with each of those machine gun fights, whenever a grenade gets thrown, you see 3-4 enemy soldiers get catapulted through the air (and plain as day, you see the little ramps that launch forward to send the stuntmen flying)!

Plus, I can’t get past the bad guy being…the badass with the mohawk from The Road Warrior…but here, he has flabby arms, a Village People mustache and a mesh, sleeveless shirt. SMH.

Commando is cheesy. Predator is just full-on badass. Right down to having Sunny Ladham (Billy) in the cast! Word has it…the producers had to hire a bodyguard whenever he was on set. Not to protect Sunny from the cast. It was to protect the cast…from Sunny!!

[–] BillySlater (4096) 2 years ago

Commando is even more ridiculous. Predator is actually a good movie. Commando is like a guilty pleasure movie.

[–] millsey72 (9530) 2 years ago

Commando is about a father who will do anything to get his daughter back from the kidnappers. Predator is a silly alien invasion movie. Which sounds more ridiculous?

[–] BillySlater (4096) 2 years ago

A man notching up a 100 kills and defeating a small army on his own is far sillier to me than a movie that has an alien in it.

[–] millsey72 (9530) 2 years ago

The ending displayed incredible fighting instinct and really showed why he was the best

[–] BillySlater (4096) 2 years ago

Btw you seem to love plot holes so much. How bout when Arnold jumps out of a plane taking off from over 100 feet and lands in a swamp completely unscathed? lol

[–] millsey72 (9530) 2 years ago

Matrix was a survival specialist. I see no problem with him landing in a swamp from 100 feet or so. Plus he had so much muscle, he can do things other men can't

[–] MichaelJPollock (649) 2 years ago

Yeah but 'Commando' was directed by the guy who did 'Roller Boogie' and 'Truck Stop Women', and 'Predator' was directed by the guy who brought you 'Die Hard' 1 and 3... not quite the same league in terms of direction. Making a film is more than just shooting a script. I'll take the ridiculous story shot by a great filmmaker anytime.

[–] millsey72 (9530) 2 years ago

The only Die Hard movie I really cared for was part 5

[–] MichaelJPollock (649) 2 years ago

Well, one doesn't choose one's aesthetic sensibility I guess.

[–] AZ (62) 2 years ago

It's a believable world. You can tell it was made from a place of inspiration not agenda or check boxes. It's perfectly possible to have action and heart in the same movie. Heart in the sense that it seems to have been made with a lot of love. A lot of care. In a grueling environment that shows through in the scenery and performances. It wasn't an easy set out in the jungle from what the "making of" videos tell us.

I like the camaraderie between the characters most. Dutch and his men are all likable. All great characters themselves but work together well. There's no long expositions but you get a sense they've been on a lot of missions and have bonded through them.

[–] Ripkens25 (1898) 2 years ago

Yes, great post.
They definitely come across as a tight unit, even if if not much is verbalized to help spoon feed us on that.

Your post reminded me that even the end credits are rather unique, and a throwback.

[–] AZ (62) 2 years ago

The credits are great. They keep the energy and fun going to the very end. Not every movie can pull off a curtain call but it does. I wish I could have seen it in a theater.

It's like a callback to silver screen WW2 movies and gutsy heroes. Sure all their masculinity means little against the Predator so in a way it subverts the old school heroic trope. It still shows a lot of love for it at the same time and ends on a great note. Literally with the music.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

This movie was never meant to be a mere fun romp typical C-movie. You knew from the first viewing that it was something big. Something special. And it will always hold up well. It's one of those movie that because of the way it's filmed, is timeless and undated. One of the touches that stands out for me is the absolute realism of Dillon's arm when it hits the ground with his finger still squeezing the trigger. Better than any CGI.

[–] Quasimodo (16388) 2 years ago

And then there's the crappy poster.

[–] Ripkens25 (1898) 2 years ago

I think Billy’s presence in the movie elevated things quite a bit. The actor himself had quite a mystique about him to begin with. And so did his character in the film. He didn’t say much….but when he did speak, it had a lot of weight.