Everybody who likes monster movies probably has a favorite one. Looking back at the past, there have been so many good ones it is hard to pick a favorite. But for me, the choice has never been hard. At least not after seeing the monster in what some consider to be one of the best action films ever made (myself included). It was a film that was made in the 80’s and featured a young Arnold Schwarzenegger in his golden age of movies. The name of that film was Predator.

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In Predator a group of special commandos led by  the battlehardened Dutch are sent on a rescue mission deep in the Central American jungle. A group of hostages have been taken by guerrillas, and it is up to Dutch and his group to get them out. At least that is what they are being told. It soon becomes clear, that they are not the first ones who have been sent out on this mission. When they come across the butchered remains of a former rescue party, things are beginning to get very weird. How is it possible that a group of trained soldiers can be caught so completely by surprise? And why would a group of guerrillas skin people and leave them hanging in the jungle?  Dutch and his men are about to find out the horrible answers to these questions. A thing that is not of this world has made the jungle his own personal hunting ground, and the hunters will soon become the hunted.

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There are certain movies that you have seen so many times, and that still manage to entertain every single one of those times. Predator is one of those films. This is 80’s action film making at it’s best. Schwarzenegger is superb in his role as Dutch and delivers some of the best oneliners out of all his movies. (Who can forget the classic “Get to the chopppppaaaaaa” ). But the real star of the film is the Predator. I remember the first time I laid my eyes on the monster and I almost felt my jaw hitting the ground. Yes Alien is cool, I will not dispute that, but for me Predator will always be the favorite. The creature is just simply put: badass and the ultimate cool guy.

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Ofcourse the story in this film is almost non-existent, but seriously who cares about that, when a movie delivers this much tension and terrific action. Accompanied by a fantastic score made by composer Alan Silvestri, there are so many scenes in this movie that are incredible, that it is hard to pick a favorite. Even though this film is now 30 years old, it has withstood the test of time very well. If somehow you have missed out on this film back in the day, track it down if you can. It is a classic action movie, that everyone who has even a remote interest in action films should have seen at least once in his life. Next year we will get a new Predator movie, sadly without Arnold reprising his role. I highly doubt it will be as good as this one though.

I give Predator a 9 out of 10 score.