Predator

Details

Major Alan 'Dutch' Schaefer leads an elite team of commandos into the South American jungle on what initially appears to be a straightforward hostage rescue mission. It soon becomes clear, however, that the CIA has manipulated the operation to eliminate a heavily armed guerrilla force. Having completed the mission with military precision, the team begins its journey towards the extraction point believing the worst is behind them.

Instead, they find themselves being hunted by an unseen enemy unlike anything they have encountered before. One by one the commandos are picked off by a powerful, almost invisible predator whose advanced weaponry and stealth render even their impressive arsenal virtually useless. As the body count rises, Dutch realises that his only chance of survival is to stop running and confront the deadly hunter on its own terms.

Picture & Sound

The picture can actually be rather disappointing. Although the bit-rate remains comfortably above average, the opening scenes suffer from some hideously grainy footage together with a number of noticeable picture imperfections.

Fortunately, these problems appear largely confined to the early part of the film, almost as though two different film elements have been used for the transfer. Once they disappear, the jungle scenes display impressive colour depth and a good level of fine detail. For a film approaching fifteen years old, it has otherwise survived the ravages of time remarkably well.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack fares considerably better, making effective use of the surround channels for both Alan Silvestri's excellent score and the numerous action sequences. The assault on the rebel camp is particularly impressive, with gunfire and explosions filling the soundstage and giving the sequence plenty of impact. Dialogue can occasionally sound a little subdued, however, resulting in frequent volume adjustments before the next burst of action comes crashing through the speakers.

Menu & Extras

The menu is a dull, static and silent affair, while the extras are equally disappointing, consisting solely of the Theatrical Trailer. Considering that many of Fox's more recent releases are arriving packed with documentaries, interviews and featurettes, it is disappointing to see such a major catalogue title given such sparse treatment. One can only assume that the studio has very little interest in giving some of its older films the attention they deserve.

Overall

Despite the inconsistent picture quality and the almost complete lack of extras, Predator remains an essential addition to any action fan's collection. What begins as a fairly conventional macho military adventure gradually turns into something considerably more interesting, combining action, science-fiction and horror into a remarkably effective package.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was at the height of his powers when this was made, surrounded by an equally memorable collection of larger-than-life characters and backed by John McTiernan's assured direction. The DVD itself may be rather basic, but the film is still hugely entertaining and has lost very little of its impact. Perhaps Arnie should take a look back at films like this before making any more career decisions. It certainly puts Jingle All the Way into perspective!

Special features

• Theatrical Trailer