View Poll Results: Which is the better action film?
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Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
07-03-10, 12:27 AM
#26
DVD Talk Limited Edition
07-03-10, 02:39 AM
#28
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Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
If you put a gun to my head and forced me to choose between the two, I'd go with Die Hard. The everyman element makes it the more appealing, I suppose.
But seriously, these are two of the best action films ever made. Predator is still the ultimate "group of badasses" film (and I'm guessing The Expendables won't change that, even if it's awesome), and it has one of the best movie monsters of all time. It's also the best genre switching movie ever, being a perfect Arnold action movie at the beginning, then turning towards horror/sci-fi.
Die Hard has one of the best human villains of all time, and has a scenario that just about anyone can relate to, versus Predator, which is more outlandish.
So yeah, if my life didn't depend on it, I'd call it an even draw. If I really really really had to choose, I'd go with Die Hard.
But seriously, these are two of the best action films ever made. Predator is still the ultimate "group of badasses" film (and I'm guessing The Expendables won't change that, even if it's awesome), and it has one of the best movie monsters of all time. It's also the best genre switching movie ever, being a perfect Arnold action movie at the beginning, then turning towards horror/sci-fi.
Die Hard has one of the best human villains of all time, and has a scenario that just about anyone can relate to, versus Predator, which is more outlandish.
So yeah, if my life didn't depend on it, I'd call it an even draw. If I really really really had to choose, I'd go with Die Hard.
Last edited by Supermallet; 07-03-10 at 03:49 AM.
07-03-10, 05:42 AM
#29
Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
This would be like asking what do I like better, Star Wars or Empire? I love and grew up with Diehard and Predator, but if I had to choose...... probably Diehard. I would also put Lethal Weapon in this class as that was a time when action films gave us memorable characters, now they are all about explosions and CGI.
07-03-10, 06:56 AM
#31
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Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
by seriously do you mean...like it's There Will Be Blood and I have to really think it over? No...no really...
I like Predator a lot, Die Hard as well. So...you know...20 years of growing up w/ Predator and probably....12 years w/ Die Hard...you tend to really remember a lot of those films.
I like Predator a lot, Die Hard as well. So...you know...20 years of growing up w/ Predator and probably....12 years w/ Die Hard...you tend to really remember a lot of those films.
07-03-10, 08:09 AM
#32
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Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
Predator!
Solid Snake, I'll get to reading your treatise later, but I appreciate the passion for the subject. Predator is a movie I grew up with too
And I actually do think there's depth to be found in Predator!
You got a bunch of macho men with their big guns a.k.a. phallic symbols. They run around in a female-free combat zone, pointing their phallic symbols at other men with phallic symbols
Then they get utterly dominated and destroyed by a creature with decidedly non-masculine features... long hair, long fingernails, cat-like grace. There's even something gynecological about the creature's face. Especially the mouth parts...
It's man's greatest fear! The true predator...
Okay just kidding
Solid Snake, I'll get to reading your treatise later, but I appreciate the passion for the subject. Predator is a movie I grew up with too
And I actually do think there's depth to be found in Predator!
You got a bunch of macho men with their big guns a.k.a. phallic symbols. They run around in a female-free combat zone, pointing their phallic symbols at other men with phallic symbols
Then they get utterly dominated and destroyed by a creature with decidedly non-masculine features... long hair, long fingernails, cat-like grace. There's even something gynecological about the creature's face. Especially the mouth parts...
It's man's greatest fear! The true predator...
Okay just kidding
07-03-10, 08:41 AM
#33
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
Die Hard because it was a game-changer - totally evolved the way that action movies were made.
Predator is just a really good monster movie, but it's not all that different from Alien and 100s of older movies that came before it, other than the fact that it's a well-told story. Predator is basically a sci-fi take on "The Most Dangerous Game".
Predator is just a really good monster movie, but it's not all that different from Alien and 100s of older movies that came before it, other than the fact that it's a well-told story. Predator is basically a sci-fi take on "The Most Dangerous Game".
07-03-10, 09:38 AM
#34
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
Almost didn't vote because the all caps bothers me, but.... Voted Predator today, but could change it tomorrow. Two of the the best action films ever. Terminator would have gotten my vote if it was in the poll.
07-03-10, 10:50 AM
#35
DVD Talk Hero - 2023 TOTY Award Winner
Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
Have to disagree here. I'd comfortably place The Hunt for Red October and probably The Thomas Crown Affair over Predator. Die Hard is actually a very good movie by any reasonable standards. Predator is, IMHO, just an unusually good example of an otherwise rotten genre of one-liner-ridden action-adventure crapfests featuring a handful of leading men.
It is funny that someone mentioned the ensemble in Predator (which was pretty forgettable sans Ventura). It was the ensemble in Die Hard that made it such a strong movie.
It is funny that someone mentioned the ensemble in Predator (which was pretty forgettable sans Ventura). It was the ensemble in Die Hard that made it such a strong movie.
07-03-10, 11:27 AM
#36
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Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
Very tough call, but if we're talking full-blown macho action then it's Predator all the way. The thing I've always loved about Predator is that, if you remove the eponymous bounty hunter, the movie would still kick an ungodly amount of ass. Add him in, and you've got a thing of beauty.
07-03-10, 01:01 PM
#37
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Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
Predator. I've never been a big Die Hard fan. I don't like how the majority of the film takes place in one building, the small spaces they would film in and lack of location changes really started to bother me while I watched it. I almost felt claustrophobic. Predator may have every 80's action movie cliche, but it was a really fun movie with an awesome cast and creative alien design. So yeah, Predator hands down.
07-03-10, 01:13 PM
#38
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Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
I also like the more epic feel of Predator, like said above Die Hard takes place in one building which is unique actually but nothing beats the mythical jungle. Also the ending of Die Hard kind of got preachy a little bit while Predator was just surveying the scorched land before going into a chopper no fuss no muss! Die Hard is a game changer that influenced 90s action movies significantly i agree but even if Predator is a more traditional Dangerous Game/Beowulf storyline i still love it more!
07-03-10, 03:39 PM
#39
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Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
Predator. I've never been a big Die Hard fan. I don't like how the majority of the film takes place in one building, the small spaces they would film in and lack of location changes really started to bother me while I watched it. I almost felt claustrophobic. Predator may have every 80's action movie cliche, but it was a really fun movie with an awesome cast and creative alien design. So yeah, Predator hands down.
One of my favorite movies so I voted for it, but I admit I've never seen Predator all the way through. Could be a good opportunity for the Sci-Fi challenge.
as he does with every thread
07-03-10, 04:31 PM
#41
Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
Are you serious? With the exception of the character of Poncho, the ensemble is incredibly memorable.
07-03-10, 04:54 PM
#42
DVD Talk Hero - 2023 TOTY Award Winner
07-03-10, 05:19 PM
#44
DVD Talk Legend
07-03-10, 10:30 PM
#48
Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
07-03-10, 10:31 PM
#49
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Re: Predator vs. Die Hard..which is better?
I can stand it. I love DH. BUT...it's a bit...how do I say this? Average visually in a sense. It's in a damn building in the 80s. Clothes and hair..80s. 80s doesn't age well visually. faceless goons galore. I never cared for Argyle. I DID like Carl Winslow's relationship w/ McClane...that was smart. The ending is kind of weird...I didn't need for Carl Winslow to redeem himself. I trusted him completely and appreciated his presence. It did kind of get preachy. Also the whole villain not yet did...that's cliche. LOVE the flick but...it does has it's flaws. Out of all it's little annoying flaws..it all doesn't hurt the character of John McClane which makes you like it all the more.
