Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
#1
Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
For a few unique elements that combined together created a pretty ageless looking movie for 1987, which is also unique considering this came out in the toughest era for looking ageless in the freakin 80s with all of its crazy ass styles.
1.The setting: Jungle. there are no urban settings, it's all countryside, even Die Hard 1 can't do this. There is no whatever 70s model long car that seemed to populate every 80s street or some bright Lambhorgini riding by with someone wearing giant shades. The raggedy natives/rebels probably still look like they did to this day.
2.The fashion styles. Since they're not wearing urban clothes, but military things, which don't go through as many changes as the type of jeans people wear. The army gear for those that aren't really into military details still look relatively modern, the rifles, the caps they wear, and their hair since people still cut their hair in the military as usual, aren't combed in any way or have the common 80s mullet or Sting style hair. Even in The Thing 1982 people have hippie hair! Also since they're a commando team they are not fated to wear that little Vietnam era helmet compared to today's ergonomically futuristic head gear. Their heads need only cloth for protection since they're so cool. Even the good Predator 2 seems to have people wearing fashions from about 4 different decades.
3.The way it's filmed, the camera isn't afraid to do close ups along with far shots, using either indiscriminantly just like movies noawadays and a few others from the past which also look ageless for these same reasons (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Apocalypse Now). Also the camera moves around without being static too much to date it, even the great Highlander movie has cheesy camerawork! This also probably has the best movie jungle ever the way it was filmed.
4.The special effects, this is especially tricky since a scifi movie severly becomes a prisoner of its time from the get-go from whatever quick advancement of effects is occuring. But it is utterly amazing how the Predator costume and his head look so real, not even the great Terminator 1 had such craft although i still like the Fisher Price evil Arnie head. Also it came at the tail end of the physical effects age when physical effects were still the only thing available and at its peak before things started switching toward the CGI age, any effects movie had this benefit then, like the Alien movies. The slightly-off invisible camo effect has also been copied a lot since then like Reptile in Mortal Kombat.
Hats off to Predator, in this Animal House group photo, one of the rare movies.
1.The setting: Jungle. there are no urban settings, it's all countryside, even Die Hard 1 can't do this. There is no whatever 70s model long car that seemed to populate every 80s street or some bright Lambhorgini riding by with someone wearing giant shades. The raggedy natives/rebels probably still look like they did to this day.
2.The fashion styles. Since they're not wearing urban clothes, but military things, which don't go through as many changes as the type of jeans people wear. The army gear for those that aren't really into military details still look relatively modern, the rifles, the caps they wear, and their hair since people still cut their hair in the military as usual, aren't combed in any way or have the common 80s mullet or Sting style hair. Even in The Thing 1982 people have hippie hair! Also since they're a commando team they are not fated to wear that little Vietnam era helmet compared to today's ergonomically futuristic head gear. Their heads need only cloth for protection since they're so cool. Even the good Predator 2 seems to have people wearing fashions from about 4 different decades.
3.The way it's filmed, the camera isn't afraid to do close ups along with far shots, using either indiscriminantly just like movies noawadays and a few others from the past which also look ageless for these same reasons (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Apocalypse Now). Also the camera moves around without being static too much to date it, even the great Highlander movie has cheesy camerawork! This also probably has the best movie jungle ever the way it was filmed.
4.The special effects, this is especially tricky since a scifi movie severly becomes a prisoner of its time from the get-go from whatever quick advancement of effects is occuring. But it is utterly amazing how the Predator costume and his head look so real, not even the great Terminator 1 had such craft although i still like the Fisher Price evil Arnie head. Also it came at the tail end of the physical effects age when physical effects were still the only thing available and at its peak before things started switching toward the CGI age, any effects movie had this benefit then, like the Alien movies. The slightly-off invisible camo effect has also been copied a lot since then like Reptile in Mortal Kombat.
Hats off to Predator, in this Animal House group photo, one of the rare movies.
Last edited by FRwL; 05-03-10 at 11:04 PM.
#2
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: NJ, the place where smiles go to die
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
Yup, same with Aliens. Why I trash & can't stand 99% of the special effect heavy movies that everyone here raves about. Pure creature effects, widescreen action, & the ability to hold a shot for more than 5 seconds, all things lost & forgoten today.
#3
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
Ditto.
It's very ageless oddly enough. It's actually and possibly the only 80s movie set in...the 80s...that doesn't feel like it's the 80s. And your reasons ring true. I mean hell that scene where the Predator literally reveals himself has aged well up till the cannon does it thing but even that really sells that scene well now. I mean..it's a damn good film. Out of all the 80s action films....this one is actually all around pretty damn good. Commando is awesome..as an action film. Predator hits it on all cylinders.
It's very ageless oddly enough. It's actually and possibly the only 80s movie set in...the 80s...that doesn't feel like it's the 80s. And your reasons ring true. I mean hell that scene where the Predator literally reveals himself has aged well up till the cannon does it thing but even that really sells that scene well now. I mean..it's a damn good film. Out of all the 80s action films....this one is actually all around pretty damn good. Commando is awesome..as an action film. Predator hits it on all cylinders.
#6
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,982
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
It's a RIGHT-WING movie so of course it's ageless.
The plot has the government to use the special task force in a mission that was a lie.
The plot has the government to use the special task force in a mission that was a lie.
#7
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
wtf is up w/ whatever you post? Are you seriously looking at Predator for such a level of preposterous depth?
#8
DVD Talk Legend
#9
DVD Talk Legend
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
Yep, the OP tackled pretty-much why this movie is so good.
John McTiernan is a man who cares about the camera. It shows what's going on in a traditional, relatively static manner, and relies on what's actually happening to create the feelings. ...not a twirly camera.
As a funny little side note, John McTiernan was the very first director that I ever memorized. I was maybe 8 years old. I thought (well, was) that I was supercool to know that stuff when I was a younkin. It all went downhill(?) from there.
I always thought it was supercool to see Shane Black acting in it.
John McTiernan is a man who cares about the camera. It shows what's going on in a traditional, relatively static manner, and relies on what's actually happening to create the feelings. ...not a twirly camera.
As a funny little side note, John McTiernan was the very first director that I ever memorized. I was maybe 8 years old. I thought (well, was) that I was supercool to know that stuff when I was a younkin. It all went downhill(?) from there.
I always thought it was supercool to see Shane Black acting in it.
#12
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
I only just found out recently Shane Black was the nerdy guy.
Man, I love Predator. Out of all Arnold's flicks...this film is my favorite. I love T2 a lot but...Predator had as much as I could ever want. Also....just I'm still amazed that The Predator suit looks that amazing today. No offense to Alien but...the Predator suit hasn't aged all it's still a massive menacing ugly motherfucker. I love when he takes off the mask...and the reveal you're just...in shock. Winston was a god in that field for sure.
Man, I love Predator. Out of all Arnold's flicks...this film is my favorite. I love T2 a lot but...Predator had as much as I could ever want. Also....just I'm still amazed that The Predator suit looks that amazing today. No offense to Alien but...the Predator suit hasn't aged all it's still a massive menacing ugly motherfucker. I love when he takes off the mask...and the reveal you're just...in shock. Winston was a god in that field for sure.
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
Oh wait, it is about fighting illegal aliens, though.
#14
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
Thanks to Shane Black, his character doesn't sport a cheesy red beret. He refused to wear the one wardrobe gave him.
#15
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
Probably referring to Arnold's team being sent in to find the previous team which were on a covert mission that violated U.S. law.
#16
DVD Talk Limited Edition
#17
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
#18
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
Great post, OP. I was just thinking the very same thing over the weekend. Predator could come out summer 2010 in theaters and not look dated at all.
Predator is just the perfect action movie. The suspense is built up. Great cast, awesome sound effects, and I love the jungle beat soundtrack. Killer action. The best scene is where they just go nuts and unload all their ammo into the jungle.
Even though the predator is just a guy in the suit, the makeup and camera shots still sell the creature to me.
Predator is just the perfect action movie. The suspense is built up. Great cast, awesome sound effects, and I love the jungle beat soundtrack. Killer action. The best scene is where they just go nuts and unload all their ammo into the jungle.
Even though the predator is just a guy in the suit, the makeup and camera shots still sell the creature to me.
#19
DVD Talk Limited Edition
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Behind the Orange Curtain
Posts: 20,085
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
Agreed on all counts. I fucking love this movie. It's got the manliest cast ever assembled, tons of great action and one of Winston's most timeless creatures. I think one factor that sets it apart from so many other movies is that, even if the Predator never showed up, it's still a badass movie all on its own.
#22
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
Yup, I've always said the same thing. There are some very minor dated elements but overall it holds up very well. Of course part of that is because it's just a remake of Beowulf.
I still remember seeing it in the theatre. People stood up at the end and clapped.
I still remember seeing it in the theatre. People stood up at the end and clapped.
#23
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
Agreed on all counts. I fucking love this movie. It's got the manliest cast ever assembled, tons of great action and one of Winston's most timeless creatures. I think one factor that sets it apart from so many other movies is that, even if the Predator never showed up, it's still a badass movie all on its own.
Stallone
Jason Statham
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Arnold! lol
Bruce Willis
Mickey Rourke
Danny Trejo
Jet Li
Dolph Lundgren
Mickey Rourke
#24
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Is anyone amazed how ageless Predator (1987) looks?
Although I had always watched westerns as a kid, this was the first movie which made me really acknowledge the gatling gun.