SYNOPSIS

An elite squad of U.S. Army commandos (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, and others) is sent to a remote region of South American jungle, where they've been assigned to search for South American officials who've been kidnapped by terrorists. Instead they find a bunch of skinned corpses hanging from the trees and realize that they're now facing a mysterious and much deadlier threat.

One of the best action films of the 1980’s is finally here, just in time for the theatrical release of Alien vs. Predator. Who would have thought in 1987 that the cast would include two future governors, and another man who would go on to become one of Hollywood’s highest paid screenwriters. For director John McTiernan, who would go on to helm Die Hard, The Hunt For Red October, and other action blockbusters, this was only his second film, and his first with a major studio. For Arnold, this was really the first time we got to see any of his personality, the first time he got to stretch himself beyond the sword and sorcery realm of Red Sonya and the Conan movies that had occupied him before this.

Arnold is definitely the star, but what makes Predator work so well is the team he has around him. This is the rare action film that has a rich ensemble cast, each actor bringing his character to life in such a way as to make them unique. This is a welcome change from the typical, two-dimensional characters that populate most action films. The writing is tight, void of extraneous scenes. We are in the story from the moment the film starts, and it stays on track until the end. McTiernan’s direction is controlled and focused, as though he had been making these kinds of films for years.

To talk about Predator as just an action movie is to miss the point. While there are action scenes in the film – all of which are incredible – the real engine that drives this movie is the suspense. Schwarzenegger and his team are sent into the jungle on a political mission to rescue some hostages, but when they arrive and see skinned bodies hanging from the trees, they know that there is something else going on. The hostage situation, such as it is, is really only the first act of the movie, and it is resolved in the first twenty minutes or so. The rest is the frustrating game of trying to avoid an enemy they cannot see, and trying to figure out what it is that is after them.

Predator is a good old-fashioned popcorn movie, one that never gets old and never fails to please. My little buddies and I used to do Arnold impressions and quote lines from this movie when it first came out, and it was nice to see that it still just as much fun all these years later. The writing is sharp and the action is intense. The film moves along at a rapid pace. The result is more than most films can say: Predator is a truly effective action movie.

Predator is presented in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, but I was expecting a little more from the transfer. The colors are not as sharp as they could be, and the overall picture looks scarcely better than what can be found on any television broadcast. The video presentation is by far the most disappointing thing about the disc.

This DVD presents a range of audio options. DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks are available in English, there is a Dolby Digital 1.0 track in Spanish, and there is a French track in Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo. The presentation is superb, with great dispersal throughout the sound system. Everything from the cracking of leaves to alien gunshots comes through sharply.

The bonus material is really what makes this disc a must-have. It is a dream come true for fans of the film and film geeks in general.

Disc One

Commentary by director John McTiernan: The director talks about what went into making his first bug studio film. He talks about how the actors were cast, shooting in Mexico, and how everything came together.

Text commentary by film journalist/historian Eric Lichtenfield: In subtitles, Lichtenfield and some of the people involved in the making of the film tell us how everything fell into place.

Sneak Peak at Alien vs. Predator: The trailer and a behind-the scenes look at the film.

Disc Two

“If It Bleeds We Can Kill It:” An all-new documentary that breaks down the making of Predator from origin to completion. There are new interviews with some of the actors, as well as footage from 1986 when the film was shot.

Classified Action: A look at the stunts and effects in the film and the work of the second unit director.

The Unseen Arnold: Interviews with and about the star of the movie.

Old Painless: A look at the massive machine gun used by Jesse Ventura in the film.

The Life Inside: A tribute to actor Kevin Peter Hall, the seven-foot-six actor who played the Predator in both films.

Camouflage: A look at the make up in the film, from the camouflage make up the characters wore to the more grisly make up effects.

Welcome to the Jungle: This featurette gives us some insight into shooting on location and how that effected the filming.

Character Design: This shows us how certain props, quirks and other ideas defined each character.

Never-Before-Seen Outtakes: Three short clips from the shooting of the film.

Rare Deleted Scene: From near the end of the film, where Arnold is running from the Predator. This is an interesting to see, but it is obvious why it was deleted.

Predator Red Suit: Special effects clips that show the red suit the actor had to wear.

Predator Camouflage Tests: Shows some early test of the Predator’s unusual camouflage technique.

Predator Profile: A look at the unstoppable alien’s tools of the trade.

Still Photo Gallery: Behind-the-scenes photos.

Also included with this disc is a movie cash coupon good for one theatrical admission to Alien vs. Predator.