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Meathead Cinema Review: "Predator"
Movie review of “Predator”by Evan Clark NSCA-CPT
“Predator” - 1987
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, and THE PREDATOR
Rating: “Prime Cut”, MeatHead Classic 5/5
1987 was an amazing year in the film industry. To start, Sean Connery won an academy award for best supporting actor in “The Untouchables”. 1987 also marked the release of “Lethal Weapon” which was the first film of arguably the best buddy-cop series ever made. But more important than any of this, was the release of “Predator”: the universally, galactically, internationally and nationally acclaimed non-fiction documentary about Arnold Schwarzenegger murking and outsmarting a dreadlocked alien in the dense, uninhabitable Guatemalan rain forest. It was just Arnold and The Predator, man to man, mano-a-alien, both of them possessing uncanny hunting prowess.
From start to finish, this film nails it. The cornerstone of “Predator” is the cast. The casting director of “Predator” actually received a Presidential Medal of Freedom and a Nobel Peace Prize for assembling the most badass crush of rhinos ever to be caught on camera. Physicists are baffled that the shear amount of muscle and swagger did not cause a massive black hole in the galaxy and a tear in the space-time continuum. This group of diesels would literally take a dump on The Avengers and then tell them to, “Stop whining!”
The cast is built on the legendary diesel, and former United States governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as our protagonist named Dutch. Jesse Ventura, another future United States governor, portrays the perfect Blain; a tobacco chewing, hot-headed, gun slinging deputy. Carl Weathers, famous for his role as Apollo Creed from the “Rocky” series and Chubbs from “Happy Gilmore”, plays Dillon, who is as ripped as a paper shredder. Capping it all off is Bill Duke, who nailed his role as “MAC!!!!”.
There are some significant plot points worth discussing, like Dutch’s character arc; he starts out as a predator, becomes the prey, and then returns back to being a predator hunting The Predator (head spinning yet?). However these plot points are neither here nor there. Let’s stick to the more important details: the quotes. This documentary is stocked full of some of the most memorable quotes in film history. As passionate Arnold Schwarzenegger fans (we consider ourselves true aficianados), we here at JackedPack end up quoting this movie throughout the day. If you were unaware, the art of quoting Arnold is actually called, “Arnold Schwarzenegging”. If you do not actively “Schwarzeneg” throughout the day, something is seriously wrong with you.
Let’s start with a “Predator” quote from former US Governor Jesse Ventura in the role of Blain. When this diesel offered some chewing tobacco to his fellow diesel brothers and no one wanted any, an offended Blain told them off and said:
Jesse Ventura went on to serve as Minnesota’s governor for 4 great years.
“Predator” is particularly full of Arnold one-liners. You know, when Arnold says something funny and then kills someone, or kills someone and then drops a pun on them? Everyone loves Arnold one-liners and in fact the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is going to make Arnold one-liners a category at the next Oscars.
One quote that did receive an Academy Award was, “GET TO THE CHOPPA!!!” which has been circulating all mediums since 1987. It has been ranked #1 on the “Most Epic Movie Lines of All Time” list since 1956 (that’s 31 years before the quote was even screamed!)
The entire film is full of terrific quotes, but we want to highlight one quote in particular. This specific scene hosts perhaps the most celebrated handshake/high five of all time. During filming in the dense Guatemalan rain forest, when this handshake went down, Guatemala City (the capital of Guatemala located hundreds of miles from the filming location) suffered a small earthquake that registered a 2.3 on the Richter Scale. We would explain the context to you put perhaps it would be better for you to watch the scene (view HERE with amazing music). Our review of “Predator” is a resounding 12 out of 10 stars. Every man should watch “Predator” at least 5 times a year for their entire life. This film has changed many lives for the better. In fact, in most countries, watching “Predator” is a right of passage for young teens. I personally grew my first chest hair at the age of 11 after watching “Predator” for the first time. If you have not seen “Predator”, shame on you.
Comments
Posted by Swole One on Nov 27, 2012
Predator is the very best movie in existence. I have watched this no less than 100 times. I have actually put this video on instead of music when working out solo in a private gym before. Best meathead cinema evar.