Predator

Another alien terrorist to terrorize our screens and nightmares was that in the form of the Predator series, the first of which, simply entitled Predator, was first let loose in 1987 by director John McTiernan.

Some may think they were just jumping on the Alien bandwagon. But there’s something profound and thrilling to be had watching Arnie running through the forest being chased by a nearly invisible threat. This story turns the monster in the woods into the alien in the woods, upping the stakes greatly. But if you add in a character who can fight back (eventually) then that’s when things really get interesting. The rest of the story is just details.

The question still remains though as to who is scarier: mud-coated Arnie or non mask-wearing Predator. But that’s a question for a different debate.

This film is undeniably an action film, with the guns, explosions, camouflage (both the humans and the Predator) and the army grunt stereotype. You know, that gruff, innuendo-toting kind, all muscle and mouth. But when you add in a monster, or alien in this case, chasing these men through the words, slaughtering them for its own fun, the hunters become the hunted, and the film becomes a horror/action hybrid, setting itself apart from its generation.

With the action part the special effects had to be good. They were spot on, if a little overused, which arguably could add to that macho army grunt stereotype, or just feel cheap. Maybe a little of both, to be honest.

Despite that though, the film has a very atmospheric feel to it, not only thanks to the environment and the threat of the Predator, but also due to the music which is used perfectly. The Predator’s theme alone is iconic, with a very predatory, tribal feel to it, like it’s an ancient demon of lore (which essentially it is made out to be in the movie).

It’s a very simple story of get out or die, yet somehow there were moments where it didn’t add up, like Arnie’s character, Dutch, getting hit by the Predator’s gun and him merely getting a sore shoulder, when everyone else who had been hit by the gun had previously died. Okay, he’s the main character, but he could have been made more injured than that at the very least, just to add more sense and tension to the moment.

However, the acting is still very good for its time, and you’re still able to lose yourself within this film as a result, hating characters because they’re annoying or stupid, or generally rooting for the good guys to live.

The best quotes from this movie are:

• *After pinning a guy to a wall with a knife* ‘Stick around.’ – Dutch
• ‘I ain’t got time to bleed.’ – Blain (Jesse Ventura)
• ‘Get to the chopper!’ – Dutch

 

Overall, this is an excellent start to an interesting series. Scary, tense and an almost perfect monster that’s almost impossible to kill. This is what classics are made of.

A 8.0 out of 10.

Die Hard: With a Vengeance

In 1995 director John McTiernan brought us the third instalment in the Die Hard series, Die hard: With a Vengeance.

In this one John (Bruce Willis) must play cat and mouse with German terrorist Simon Gruber (Jeremy Irons) in order to save lives. But Simon is actually up to more than anybody knows and it soon becomes clear that revenge isn’t the only thing on his agenda.

I loved the whole cat and mouse style story line. Instead of John playing games with the terrorists it’s the other way around, which really spices things up for the series.

Also with all the riddles and games played by the terrorists it shows that the Die Hard films are not just about mindless action and explosions, but actually have substance to their plot lines.

As ever, expect big explosions and special effects, brilliant and hilarious acting and an even more confusing and twisted story-line.

Some particular moments to watch out for are the bomb going off in the middle of a packed street in New York City at the beginning of the movie… typical Die Hard right from the start; John and his offensive sign that nearly gets him killed… he is forced to wear it as the terrorist’s first twisted move; the riddle via the phone and the fake bomb… this is a highly funny scene; John driving through the park… watch out people; the explosion in the subway; the terrorist trying to drown John, who ends up shooting up through a pipe… poor John; a guy gets cut in half… oww; and finally Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson) and John jumping off the boat as it explodes… again with the typical Die Hard style here.

And my favourite quotes from the film are:

• ‘You can stick your well-laid plan up your well-laid ass.’ – Zeus
• ‘Not even God knows what you’re doing!’ – Zeus to John

Overall the third instalment in the series had an epic story line, with fun moments and plenty of action.

An 8.3 out of 10.

Die Hard

It’s scary to think that the Die Hard films first came out 25 years ago, 4 years before I was even born. Now we have five of them and one must wonder if there will be an end to them.

The first film in the series, known simply as Die Hard, was brought to us in 1988 by director John McTiernan.

John McClane (Bruce Willis) of the NYPD finds himself in trouble when a gang of terrorists take over the hotel where his wife and others are throwing a Christmas party. But McClane is a hard man to kill, regardless of how reluctant he is to be the hero.

The Die Hard series is known for its impressive displays of explosions, action sequences and mind-boggling stunts. And the first film is no exception. Guns and explosions galore, tense moments and crazy concepts, this film is a true roller coaster ride of epic action.

I loved Bruce Willis’ portrayal of John, the reluctant hero, who tries to cover his fear and panic with stubbornness, cursing and jokes. Throughout the film his character blossoms into this determined and slightly dark figure.

What I didn’t overly like was the storyline, which seemed to be jumbled around and in places had no purpose. But you can look past this thanks to the brilliant combo of acting, special effects and stunts.

My favourite moments and scenes include Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) killing Joseph Yoshinobu Takagi (James Shigeta)… the blood was very 80s looking; John versus the blonde guy with the glasses; putting the blonde guy’s body in the elevator with a Santa’s hat and ‘Now I have a machine gun HO HO HO’ scrawled on his shirt… nice taunt; the blowing up of a police’s RV… yikes; John chucking an explosive strapped to a computer monitor down an elevator shaft… the result is a humongous explosion; the scene where there’s glass everywhere… all I can say is poor John’s bare feet; John jumping of the roof just as it explodes… typical Die Hard fashion; and finally John’s wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), punching a reporter. What fun!

And my favourite quotes from this film are:

• ‘Of all the terrorists in the world I had to kill, it had to be one with feet smaller than my sister.’ – John
• ‘Yipee ki ay mother f*cker!’ – John

Overall, this movie is a brilliant introduction to an action-packed series, with many unique ideas and some humour thrown in that makes for a rather interesting watch.

An 8.1 out of 10.