Review of Predator: Special Edition (2 Discs)

Introduction

A while back, being a fan of the original Predator, I shelled out for the Predator I and II boxset. Unfortunately, watching a film at 3 am is not advisable at the best of times, and the twinge that not all was well was quickly lost to a peaceful slumber. It wasn`t until much later, after reading about it on the net that I realised that the Predator in the boxset had been gutted. Some bright spark had decided to sanitise the violence. To cut a long story short, a quick trade in later and I sit here having watched the (hopefully) uncut Predator SE, complete with discloads of extras.

Twentieth Century Fox released two of the most memorable sci-fi actioners in the eighties and in the process created two iconic symbols of pop culture that even today persist in public consciousness. Aliens was the amazing sequel to the 1979 sci-fi horror, Alien. A year later, Fox unleashed Predator and a merchandiser`s dream was born. Successful in their own right as franchises, something special blossomed when the two series `crossed-over`. Today we have Aliens versus Predator novels, comic books (Graphic novels for the purist) and even computer games. You can find the PC demo for Aliens V Predator 2 on Disc 1 of this set, but none of this would have happened without the movie, Predator.

Dutch commands a Special Forces unit made up of disparate characters, one whose reputation for accomplishing the impossible is renowned. As we join the story, this group has been called down to a nameless Banana republic, to affect the rescue of American diplomatic hostages who have inadvertently strayed across the border. At the HQ, Dutch finds old friend turned CIA operative, Dillon who announces that he is accompanying the team on the mission. A late night, helicopter incursion finds the team in the thick of the jungle, but things go wrong straight away when they find the remains of a previously unmentioned rescue team, skinned, butchered and hanging from the trees. Assigning this horror to bloodthirsty rebels, they attack their mission with resolve. The rebel compound is devastated in an effective attack that leaves no-one standing and one survivor, Anna to be taken prisoner. But there are no hostages, only the fruits of a CIA mission that had been Dillon`s secret agenda. Angered at being double crossed, Dutch proceeds to take his team to the evacuation point with alacrity. But their troubles are only just beginning, because the ultimate incursion force is in turn being stalked, stalked by something not of this Earth.

Video

The Special Edition of Predator comes with a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer. Being a 1987 movie, I wasn`t surprised to see the grain typical of the films of this time. The image itself is sharp and clear with strong colours. With all the action, there is a fair amount of smoke and dust from explosions, or misty jungle scenes, but there is no evidence of artefacts. I felt the contrast could have been a little stronger and signs of age, scratches and flecks of dirt are readily apparent. Surely for a Special Edition, a better attempt at restoration could have been made. Still, it`s an acceptable enough picture.

Audio

Predator comes once again with a DD 5.1 English soundtrack, but the biggest draw of this disc is the DTS soundtrack. Guess which one I couldn`t listen to. I`ll leave the DTS soundtrack for someone else to comment on. I found the surround very effective, the jungle is very immersive, but the effects really shine when called on to convey the Predator`s viewpoint. Alan Silvestri`s music is effective in evincing tension. An unusual thing that I noticed was that the explosions sounded remarkably subdued compared to the gunfire. The explosions are emphasised with plenty of visceral bass, but little else. On the whole an effective and powerful soundtrack.

Features

Disc 1, while boasting the film also has a few extras.

For those of you with a PC, you can try the Aliens versus Predator 2 demo.
More importantly there are two commentaries on this disc. The text commentary is by Film Journalist/Historian Eric Lichtenfield and on it he interviews several members of the Predator crew, and gathers their reminiscences for the commentary.
The audio commentary is with director John McTiernan and he sounds remarkably laid back and relaxed as he recounts his experiences of filming Predator, practically his first big feature. His comments are interesting and pertinent to the action on screen. He is also forthright about what worked and what didn`t.
There is also one Easter egg secreted away on this disc.

The following extras are presented on Disc 2.

There are approximately 100 stills in a photo gallery.
There is a Predator Profile that comprises a set of stills looking at the Predator`s capabilities.
A deleted scene and 3 outtakes total six minutes of footage.
Predator Special FX is 4½ minutes of footage showing how the camouflage was accomplished.
"Inside the Predator" is a section of interviews totalling half an hour that look at the Predator movie, with interviews from 1987 and more recently. As well as looking behind the scenes of an action sequence, there is an accolade to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the man, the famous minigun that Blain totes, a tribute to Kevin Peter Hall who was the Predator, a look at make-up and continuity, location shooting and finally the design of the characters.
Finally there is an entertaining look at the making of in the half-hour documentary, "If It Bleeds, We Can Kill It"
Before I forget, there are three Easter Eggs to find as well.

Conclusion

Back in 1987, Predator seemed like just another action movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. But Predator was to make a substantial impact on audiences and catapult Arnie into a new level of stardom. After all this time, Predator still looks fresh and exciting, and even to an extent unique. Something about the film defies analysis, as so many identikit films, with a menace picking off hapless humans until only a hero/heroine remains to fight back, have passed by barely flickering on the public consciousness. A lot has to do with the Predator itself. McTiernan followed the classic suspense rules of not truly showing the nemesis until the final act. But what was truly inspired was the Predator`s viewpoint with the genuinely alien vision immediately unnerving audiences. When the predator finally attacks, it is invisible, with only a distortion indicating its presence. Even when the predator is revealed, it`s only at the final confrontation do we get a true look at it`s alien nature, and unlike Jaws, the actual creature is menacing.

The innovating thing about this movie was the way that the story unfolded. It almost feels as if we join the story halfway through as Dutch and his team land in the jungle in the middle of a hostage crisis. The film takes half an hour establishing the characters and allowing the audience to empathise with them. You feel as if there is a deeper story going on as Dillon`s CIA background leads the team into what could be an untenable situation. The mission that they are sent on looks difficult, and the way they accomplish it only serves to underscore just how competent and lethal these individuals are. This build up only makes the Predator look even more lethal when it finally begins the hunt.

The cast is by and large very good. Carl Weathers provides solid support, and creates an aura of tension in the team as the unscrupulous Dillon. Bill Duke is equally impressive as Mac, who has an interesting friendship with Blain played tongue in cheek by Jesse Ventura. Sonny Landham plays a stereotypical Indian, who wouldn`t look out of place in a fifties western. Shane Black (Hawkins) appears long enough to recite two terrible jokes. This is the same Shane Black who wrote Lethal Weapon by the way. The revelation of this film must be Arnold Schwarzenegger as Dutch though, as for the first time he gets to flex some acting muscle. Admittedly this is the perfect role for him, as the leader of a commando team going into the jungle to kill anything that moves and shoot some foliage for the sake of it, he would seem almost typecast, but with the friction created by Dillon, he portrays his feelings of betrayal well, and in the Predator Arnie seems to have finally met his match and the final confrontation is a cinematic clash of the Titans. The last vision we have of Dutch is that of a man haunted by what he has been through, and we have no doubt that he`ll be spending the next couple of decades in therapy. After all these years, I still believe that this is Arnold`s best acting performance. Kevin Peter Hall is exceptional in bringing the Predator to life and through his performance really brings an alien menace.

The film is by no means perfect. It contains some of the most ridiculous dialogue ever uttered in movies, and the way the characters posture and strut their macho stuff before the Predator makes his appearance is a little laughable. I mustn`t forget the most ridiculous weapon ever seen (until Eraser`s railguns), the totally impractical minigun "Old Painless". Oh well, it`s fun to look at.

Predator is still an amazing film, and this disc is a major improvement on the original release. While the picture could have been better, the sound is great and it`s packed to the gills with interesting extras. Best of all, it`s not cut.