25th Anniversary of Predator today. (12th June)

MR. ELIMINATOR · 12 June, 2012, 08:28:27 PM

What an awesome film. Hopefully Arnie will do another one now that he has returned to acting. It's been too long since there was a good one. 25 years in fact!

Beaky Smoochies · 13 June, 2012, 01:38:20 AM

I would say 22 years, I always liked Predator 2 big time, don't know why it gets so much criticism, Stephen Hopkins may be no John McTiernan, but I think he did a bang-up job... and hopefully he'll be directing the 24 movie when (or if) it happens.

locustsofdeath! · 13 June, 2012, 06:21:20 AM

Quote from: Beaky Smoochies on 13 June, 2012, 01:38:20 AM
I would say 22 years, I always liked Predator 2 big time, don't know why it gets so much criticism, Stephen Hopkins may be no John McTiernan, but I think he did a bang-up job... and hopefully he'll be directing the 24 movie when (or if) it happens.

Yeah, I'm with you. Predator 2 is a fun action film, and I really like that the Predator gets more screen time and development. it's no Predator, but it's no broke dick dog, either.

Mardroid · 13 June, 2012, 06:05:39 PM

Yes, Predator 2 is way underrated, although some of the acting is a bit cheesy.

It's a sequel which, while remaining true to the tropes of the first film, brings something new to the story other than just a change of setting.

I liked the recent film Predators too, although it may be a bit too similar to the first film*. So I guess for me, it's just been a year or so since we've had a good Predator film.

That first was something special though. 25 years. Wow.

*[spoiler]I have mixed feelings about the need to bring in this new breed of Predator too, but I suppose it doesn't really matter. They're pretty much the same thing if a bit more extreme. I liked the fact the original breed made a good account of himself in that mash up with the other, though.[/spoiler]

Fisticuffs · 13 June, 2012, 08:22:57 PM

I love both Predator 1 and 2, although 2 is let down by Danny Glovers flappy pyjama bottoms he wears throughout the film.

As for AvP, some nice ideas, and as far as I know they haven't done anything except film already existing Fan-made stuff or stuff from various canonical sources (AvP computer games etc), but I try not to think of about them anyway.

Quite enjoyed Predators though, good popcorn fun.

radiator · 13 June, 2012, 08:34:24 PM

Yep, I like predator 2 as well, though it's obviously quite a silly film. I think what mainly lets it down is Danny Glover who is seriously miscast.

I just got the original Predator on a limited edition steelbook Blu ray set, it's well overdue a rewatch.

Never seen any of the AvPs or Presators, but I gather that I'm not missing much...

locustsofdeath! · 13 June, 2012, 08:46:07 PM

Quote from: radiator on 13 June, 2012, 08:34:24 PM
I think what mainly lets it down is Danny Glover who is seriously miscast.

I agree, although I don't think the cast is very strong at all - not even Bill Paxton, who might have been told to "just do that Hudson thing, only more annoying". I think the setting is clever - we go from the jungle to the concrete jungle - and the monster FX are fantastic. The action is great, and I get a bit of enjoyment at seeing the Predator get his ass thoroughly kicked towards the end of the film!

I thought Predators was okay, but not as good as Predator 2. The AvP films...well they're a case of adult me regretting what teenaged me hoped so desperately for.

MR. ELIMINATOR · 13 June, 2012, 10:35:53 PM

There are some good bits in Predator 2 and I like it, but I dunno, I just can't quite call it good.

Predators was the same, but I just didn't like the new design and Adrian Brody kind of ruined it completely.

Bat King · 13 June, 2012, 10:41:24 PM

I like the lot...

Predator & Predator 2 aren't as different as Alien is to Aliens but different enough.

Predators is a far better 3rd outing than Alien 3...

Professor Bear · 13 June, 2012, 10:52:15 PM

Quote from: locustsofdeath! on 13 June, 2012, 08:46:07 PMThe AvP films...well they're a case of adult me regretting what teenaged me hoped so desperately for.

In fairness, teenage you was probably hoping for something as entertaining and NOT SHOT IN THE DARK as the original Dark Horse comics series, which was boss apart from the space samurai lady at the end, as I am pretty sure being a samurai is not actually encoded in the DNA of everyone from Asia.

I kind of liked Predators. Someone in the room at the original pitch meeting should have said "no, that's stupid" when the notion of super-Predators came up, but otherwise it's as good as it could have been in contemporary Hollywood - "you know what would make this scene even more exciting? IF IT WAS RUNNING AT HALF SPEED."
25 years, though? Fuck me. And it's still fantastic.

locustsofdeath! · 14 June, 2012, 01:51:38 AM

Quote from: Professah Byah on 13 June, 2012, 10:52:15 PM
Quote from: locustsofdeath! on 13 June, 2012, 08:46:07 PMThe AvP films...well they're a case of adult me regretting what teenaged me hoped so desperately for.

In fairness, teenage you was probably hoping for something as entertaining and NOT SHOT IN THE DARK as the original Dark Horse comics series,

Predator 2 got my brain reeling when I saw the Xenomorph skull in the Predator trophy case, but yeah, the Dark Horse comics were great fun, and I must have read that first series a dozen times. They got the important things right - like not having it take place on Earth.

Quote from: Bat King on 13 June, 2012, 10:41:24 PM
Predators is a far better 3rd outing than Alien 3...

I quite like Alien 3 (the director's cut). The setting is bleak, the atmosphere nihilistic, Ripley's story coming full circle. Had the series ended there, it'd really be a nice fairytale. Dillon (nice Predator nod, I think) is a fascinating character, very well acted by Charles Dutton. Very underrated film - I think Alien Resurrection is the absolute dud of the series.

Syne · 14 June, 2012, 03:06:22 AM

Hmmm. Seeing as how Ridley seems to be quietly excising the AvsP movies from the Alien cannon, how's that going to effect Predator continuity I wonder? There's always parallel universes I guess

Beaky Smoochies · 14 June, 2012, 03:18:24 AM

Quote from: Fisticuffs on 13 June, 2012, 08:22:57 PM
As for AvP, some nice ideas

... and actually makes more sense than a certain prequel currently in cinemas that I could mention...

Quote from: locustsofdeath! on 14 June, 2012, 01:51:38 AM
I quite like Alien 3 (the director's cut). The setting is bleak, the atmosphere nihilistic, Ripley's story coming full circle. Had the series ended there, it'd really be a nice fairytale. Dillon (nice Predator nod, I think) is a fascinating character, very well acted by Charles Dutton. Very underrated film - I think Alien Resurrection is the absolute dud of the series.

THIS... with big feckin' bells on it!

HdE · 14 June, 2012, 03:24:51 AM

Hm. Last time I saw the original Predator, my thoughts were torn between how well the creature effects hold up to this day, and how BADLY everything else about to seems to have dated. There's some truly woeful acting in that movie! That said, Arnie's showdown with Ol' Tusky is still exciting stuff.

I'm in the Predator 2 camp. Better film by a mile, I think. Better use of the Predator, logical progression from the first movie, Predator gets some WAY cool toys to play with (and they've never been bested in subsequent movie, in my opinion)... oh, and GARY BUSEY!

Predators, however, I hate with a fiery passion.

Professor Bear · 14 June, 2012, 03:13:12 PM

If this is turning into a good old-fashioned "who would win a fight between" thread, I'm firmly in the Predator camp. Aliens are pussies and someone with moderate kung fu skills could probably slap one around like the shiny androgynous space-bitches they are.