PREDATOR film analysis - story structure and plot logistics - by Rob Ager
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- Опубликовано: 1 авг 2023
- Deceptively simple at the plot level, Predator is a deeper and more complex movie beneath the surface.
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Surprised you did not touch on how perfectly fitting/foreshadowed each character death is - the guy who makes sexist jokes is stripped naked and emasculated, guy who ain't got time to bleed has his giant chest cavity wound cauterized, guy who wants to arm wrestle get his arm blown off, guy always shaving gets his whole head blown off, guy who asks if other guy has time to duck gets hit with swinging log that he didn't duck, etc, etc.
And there's more to those as well. Mac setting up the grenade launcher trap with his head right next to the barrel of the weapon. Poncho getting hit by the log is foreshadowed only slightly earlier too while he was up the tree using his knife to cut some vines. Predator shoots the rope or vines holding the log setting it free. Dutch gives Dillon another gun, as if to say, "we don't need this but i have a weird feeling you will". Billy reluctantly offers the "valley that leads to the east" after the guerilla camp scene as a means of traversing out of the area, only for him to come to his demise there. Blaine visually gets "spat" on his shoulder with blood right before his chest burst shot, referencing his nasty spitting habit. The foreshadowing in this movie is off the charts.
Holy shit never noticed any of that until you pointed it out.
I never noticed any of that. Holy hell!
@@Giganotabehemoth87 That's a great observation!
Guys... where are your RUclips channels?!
I've never noticed _any_ of these and I've been watching this film for 40yrs 😂❤
The fact this has a 47 on Metacritic should be considered a crime against humanity.
No one in their right mind cares about websites with ratings given by clueless idiots. Metacritic, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, all the same s#it.
Absolutely
The great thing about Predator is that although it is an action film, it plays like a "silent film" . The visual language tells the story with a deft touch.
John McTiernan was the perfect choice for director.
@@mk-ultramags1107 Damn right
@@raymondle9966 His "Classical" style of filmmaking just worked so well here. It's a tight rope balancing out different genres like 'Predator' does. If it's too much of anything, the tone of the film can sway but McTiernan really pulled it off.
It is a scifi horror movie under the guise of a action movie. I honestly wish I could have my memory wiped of all things predator just so I could see this movie for the first time in a theater. It must have been such a fun experience to not have a clue what was going to happen
THIS. I was talking about action flicks with a friend years ago, and all of a suuden it hit me: Predator's final act was one of the first major works of non-verbal storytelling I saw as a young kid. I don't think that movie gets anywhere near enough credit in this regard. (Now if we can get Predator and, hell why not, True Lies in the Criterion collection we'll be getting somewhere., haha.) Wonderful video.
The triumvirate of Alien, the Terminator, and Predator was unrivaled in my youth. This movie goes from standard action, to horror-suspense, to survival--three distinct acts, three distinct shifts in tone. I just wish Cameron had directed Predator II. I adore this film.
Do you mean McTiernan for Predator 2?
@@mroctober3657 Cameron did Aliens, and T2. I wish he'd directed Predator II, and completed the trilogy. I think he would have done a fantastic job. Edit: bad phone typos corrected.
I'd included Robocop in there, but I agree, those films are top notch.
@@Mechanicoid Robocop was astoundingly good.
@@fractaljack210 Yeah, a Cameron Predator woulda been great. He's at his best with SciFi Horror. And it already had Bill Paxton in the mix, a Cameron staple.
Predator hasn't aged either. Apart from the 80s clothes at the start, the army gear and jungle setting keeps it timeless. Greatest action movie in my opinion.
There are no 80´s clothes in this movie. Only timeless peaces of clothing that are pretty much worn today. There´s no Boy George or Madonna´s like a virgin style in Predator. And in case you haven´t leave your house, or wherever you live, many pieces of garment sold today resemble the 80´s style. Fashion always was like a revolving door and some items are always "fashionable", if there is such a thing.
I just want to say, John McTierman is one of the most overlooked directors. His commentary and behind the scenes comments in the special edition DVD are priceless. Both this and Die Hard are the best of the best of action movies because he gets memorable performances out of every character and knows how to get the best out of people. He has a great quote about how the stereotype is that action directors loves cars and guns. But his secret is that he comes from theater and likes actors
Yes he was classically trained at Juliard. He was taught to compose films like music. Even memorisimg films shot-by-shot. His philosophy is borrowed from Verhoeven in which the camera acts like a character with it's movement and perspective.
Unfortunately his control freakery was his downfall as he attempted to manipulate real world Hollywood producers to his ends. This combined with being a hideous and unsympathetic martinet to his crew has put him in retirement.
@@InfinityandEternity exactly. And Predator and Die Hard really exemplify that training and expertise.
@@InfinityandEternity he did fall off in the 90s but Predator, Die Hard and Hunt for Red October are all amazing
@@clanwaddell5628 His earlier film "Nomads" starring Pierce Brosnan is well worth a look...
The single greatest "movie" of all time.. every scene, every frame, every bit of dialogue.. even the OST
Absolute *perfection*
Dada daDadada!...
...
(diggedi-diggedi-diggedi..)
@@ikmor bwoooaaam bwoam buh-buh-bwooooaaah
Yup.
Perfect is a big call but its as close as it gets. My favorite film.
Never forget seeing this for the first time when I was 12. Dread to think how many times I've watched it since. Ticks every box for me and has one of the best film scores.
It's magical knowing we were given 30 years of great action movies solely due to Arnie's competitiveness and "arch-nemesis rivalry" with Sly Stallone.😊
Die Hard blew them all away in my opinion. Would love for Rob to do some videos regarding Die hard. A hans Gruber character Analysis would be epic 🙏
Enjoy it those days in movies will never ever happen again now all we can enjoy is activism and propaganda in movies . Movies are over now and Hollywood is finished
@@FreeThinkAlways You do know Sly made "Rambo" just because Arnie did "Predator", right? I am all for "Die Hard", but these two are in a league of their own.
@@CROMA1927 I doubt that considering Rambo came out before predator. Again both films like most of their action films just portray some fearless, muscled up hero taking on 100 guys single handely and having enemies who are just illogicaland dim witted. Die Hard gave audiences a more realistic approach by having the hero just an average working man we could all identify with who actually showed fear and weaknesses. Heck he doesn't eve have shoes on. Alan Rickman as Hans gruber was just incredible. Finally a main bad guy who has wit, a plan, cleverness, charm.. just everything you could ask for. Best action movie villian I have ever seen. The way he touches everything around him and analysies his surroundings to feel in control is just great. I dont think he ever loses his cool once in the movie until Holly calls him a common thief
@@FreeThinkAlways Commando? Rambo? It's all intertwined between these two action-packed sweaty superheroes. You are right about Rambo, it was Arnies's answer to Sly doing "Commando". Watch their interviews, it is hilarious seeing how they both followed in each other footsteps. I agree about "Die Hard" and Hans Gruber as a memorable villain. Nakatomi Plaza still rings a bell in my movie hall of fame.
Fun fact, the Mini-Gun in T2 is Old Painless from Predator! 🥰
The plot is based on the old English poem Beowulf. The kidnappers are Grendall and the Predator is Grendalls mother. Dutch is Beowulf and his interacial team represent the whole of humanity, much like the crew in Mobey Dick.
I really like this idea. It never occurred to me. And I love Beowulf.
I never heard someone say that the end battle is the weakest point of the movie... on the contrary, I've always thought it was a high point (where the guerrilla camp scene is clearly the lesser part of the movie, for the way it was staged and shot by second unit). I'd compare it to Jaws, where part of the movie is dedicated to satisfying the audience's morbid curiosity for horror, and it can be a little campy at times; but after people died left and right, Brody decides that it's time to fight back, to hunt the predator, and suddenly the movie becomes something different, a more serious and primal experience where the story is stripped to its essence.
Raid on guerrilla camp scene are added later because producer got comment from Studio Executive about movie aren't have action shooting scene enough [I laugh when read oral history interview about behind the scene, John McTiernan are say when they shooting this scene with Second Unit Director like "This isn't F**kin War Movie!"]
My interpretation of Predator was always that it was the _Antithesis_ of/reaction to the 80s "muscle man action" movie genre - we see the hard as nails, cigar chomping American Special Forces, cardboard cutout supermen, unbelievably strong and capable, well armed, trained and ready for anything; cracking wise and taking out an entire camp of guerillas with ease (as the genre expects) - only to then have the "usual feature" get disrupted halfway through, stopping the war movie power fantasy in its tracks, the standard era tropes being completely subverted by an unseen monster which defeats each of our "heroes" suddenly, systematically and shockingly
Like a war movie being interrupted by a sci-fi horror
An absolute *masterclass* in film making (and it came _so_ close to being a total B-movie disaster!)
You can copy wiki article👍
That's exactly right on. It is startling and disruptive how the tone shifts 1/3 into the movie, which puts it above all other loud action films of its kind. That first 1/3 almost seems throwaway, but it was a necessary counterpoint for deconstructing all its action hero tropes for the remainder.
They thought they were ready for anything, but what they weren't ready for was the galaxy's greatest hunter.
I think a big part of Predator's success is that it respects it's audience. Even when it veers into unrealistic fantasy it uses clever methods to keep it grounded. Such as the minigun being fired handheld. It doesn't mess with your suspension of disbelief too much because it's being carried by a 6"4, 260 pound giant like Jesse Ventura. Or in the final hand to hand showdown yes the opponent is fantastical, but how the fight plays out is realistic: even an exceptional human is no match for it.
"It's a movie it doesn't have to be realistic" is over used. It only gets you so far.
Honestly, that was my main issue with 'Prey.' It's "Internal Logic" conflicted with the rest of the Predator film series
@@mk-ultramags1107not really, you're just demonstrating your prejudice against women and indigenous Americans
@@radiofreeacabthis comment is sarcastic right?
@@mk-ultramags1107i think some of it could be explained away by it taking place hundreds of years before the other films. Human technology made leaps and bounds since then, so i feel theres no reason that the Predator race couldnt also advance technologically.
@@radiofreeacab Riiight. That must be the reason. I mean, 'Alien' and 'Aliens' are right at the top of my list, with Ripley being one of my favorite characters of all time. Same with 'The Terminator' and 'T2' with Sarah Connor. But yea... What you said.
Do one on Predator 2. That film is highly underrated and doesn't get appreciated that much.
I 100% agree with you on that way better than Prey.
"There's no stoppin' what can't be stopped. No killin' what can't be killed!!"
It's racist. - Left
Yes please, do Predator 2
@@81bestof
I agree it is the only decent Predator film to be made after the first. In some ways i prefer it to the first one. It is far better than the majority of action films that get released today.
The Xenomorph skull was so awesome to see displayed on the Predator's trophey wall.
Silvestri’s musical score goes hand in hand with the action , just like Dutch & Dillon’s at the start !
What's the matter Dillon?
the funny thing is, as every composer, Silvestri, especially in his earlier works such as this, displays a very distinct style. the scores of Predator and his contemporary Back to the Future are so similar to each other that I havent given up hope one day someone will make a supercut of scenes from both movies and swap the music!
I spent about half a day working out the time signature to the opening theme one afternoon
I have a shirt with the handshake emblazoned on the rear
Your movie analysis videos are exceptionally well thought out. You have a way with words in regards to the unnoticeable details and subliminal symbolisms. Sometimes things are right in front of my face and I'll barely notice them subconsciously, but lack a conscious interpretation of them. That's where you come in and help put the rest of the puzzle pieces in place. My observational skills have definitely improved after watching your videos.
Precisely my thoughts on Rob Ager videos.
Yeah but he still gets the twins hair colour wrong in the shining, lol. is he colour blind
Why didn't Weathers become a bigger star? I was just talking to my coworkers a few months ago about how he should have been bigger because of how charismatic and skilled he was.
The moustache?
Type-casted as a second fiddle maybe? or maybe it was hard to get a good script when everybody wanted either Arnie or Sly (Let's not forget Diehard was originally a Commando sequel). He did tried with Action Jackson but that failed.
@@RockoEstalon Yeah, Action Jackson was more of a cult hit than a big blockbuster that would have propelled him to bigger things.
I like Weathers but I don’t think he has a lot of on screen charisma to carry a film. He has a great physique and athleticism but feels pretty generic. I honestly don’t remember being captivated at all in Action Jackson even though it had quite a bit of dialogue. It’s not really a bad thing because there are a ton of actors that have talent but just can’t lead a film.
He was just easin' the tension...
Someone had the theory that the Predator's mask works as a filter. The whole forest would be burning red, the rocks moreso, the trees, etc. So the system the predator uses works by filtering out non-living from living things. The mud either lowers Arny's heat signature just enough that the system interprets him as just another part of the forest, or the mud itself fools the system. Though this answer doesn't solve the problem of seeing the heat through the log.
Interesting point
It would help explain why the smashed scorpion gave off an apparent heat signature. They're not warm-blooded. So maybe it 'sees' something other than heat.
@@HeyMykee maybe, like electricity.
@@HeyMykee "cold-blooded" doesn't literally mean that their blood is cold: their blood temperature just changes with where they're located.
@@Firguy I know what it means. It means they're no warmer than their surroundings. Why would it glow brightly in a heat signature?
The actor being hit by the m203 grenade launcher in the hut is danish born Sven-Ole Thorsen. By this point he would have known Arnold for 5-6 movies already, training with him and also being "killed" by him in more and more intricate ways in each movie. Guy is an often uncredited staple in 80s and 90s action movies, he is in pretty much every one.
It seemed like it was gunfire from a spurt of bullets, even though he was propelled dramatically. You can hear a multiple connect sound. No one in the audience would’ve believed that Arnold was saved from an explosion by firing a dud.
From what I understand originally they didn't want to include the spaceship at the beginning for exactly the reason you described, but the studio was insistent on putting it in.
Also according to Stan Winston, he was on a flight when redesigning the creature for the movie and happened to be next to James Cameron. Stan was showing him some of his ideas and Cameron said he always wanted to see an alien with mandibles and that was the inspiration.
The original idea was a multi-armed creature with a different weapon for every tentacle and it was going to be stop-motion.
They started shooting with not a proper idea what the creature was hoing to be, or it's weapons.
That's why Blaine is killed by a weapon discharge from a gun not seen in the film...that was going to be a conventional 'laser gun' held in a tentacle.
15:35 The weapon slung under Dutch's M-16 is a 40mm grenade launcher, not a rocket launcher. There were buckshot versions of those grenades used in Vietnam, which would have made it a large shotgun, effectively. Additionally, the HE versions of those projectiles won't arm under a certain distance (which Dutch would certainly have known) making its use at that range feasible. Obviously it was done for the cool factor, but theoretically Dutch might have been low on ammunition in his rifle's magazine, and saw an opportunity to take out a close-range target with his 'backup' weapon, and took it.
I've just posted about this without reading the comments.
If you pause, you can see multiple hits on Sven's chest...I think you're right, it's buckshot.
All this time thinking I'm clever correcting people and telling them about arming distances!
To me it sounded like three bullets fired in succession, even though the enemy was propelled. Besides, Dutch used his grenade launcher earlier in the scene and he did use explosives so I doubt he reloaded a substitute.
@@NemeanLion- Those things are only single shot, so it is possible he reloaded another type of round, especially if he's going close quarters.
Arming distance is at least 14m...depending on HE ammunition fuzing. Round has to retate a certain number of times to arm the contact fuze. I am qualified to use 3 types of 40mm launchers and have instructed many young men on this weapon
@@jamedmurphy4468 Looks a lot closer than 14m to me, so I'd say my point stands.
The incredible and unique thing about the structure of the film is how it differs from other examples of its genre and time. First act, we see a team of deadly experts dispatch an enemy with ease, the enemy camp is the victim. Second act, now the experts become the victims, nothing that they do is working and almost all are killed without standing a chance. Third act, the one left has to overcome his enemy to win in the end. Alien and the Thing are masterpieces, but they follow the usual route of a powerful enemy against regular people just trying to survive. Its what makes Predator stand out against all the rest.
My interpretation was always that Predator was the _Antithesis_ of the "muscle man 80s movie" genre - we see the hard as nails, cigar chomping American Special Forces, cardboard cutout supermen, unbelievably strong and capable, well armed, trained and ready for anything; taking out an entire camp of guerillas with ease (as the genre expects) - only to then have the "usual feature" get disrupted halfway through, stopping the war movie power fantasy in its tracks, the standard era tropes being completely subverted by an unseen monster which defeats each of our "heroes" suddenly, systematically and shockingly
Like a war movie being interrupted by a sci-fi horror
An absolute *masterclass* in film making (and it came _so_ close to being a total B-movie disaster!)
@@unbearifiedbear1885Aliens is similar, albeit that movie has Ripley's PTSD to grapple with. That being said, I believe Predator's script pre-dated the release of Aliens so this I suppose is all coincidence.
@@ryanjacobson2508 I love Aliens as well, but it still follows the same as The Thing and Alien. The marines might be capable, but we don't get to see it. The first time we see them in action they are slaughtered, completely overmatched and are helpless victims.
@@unbearifiedbear1885 I think John McTiernan (the director) said himself something along of lines of not really liking the standard "80's macho movie" and that the initial shoot-out againt the guerillas, plus gunning down the trees trying to shoot the Predator, were shot only to fulfill some sort of guideline or mandate by the producers regarding how many shoot-outs the movie needed.
Defintively a case of "lighining in a bottle" because I don't see McTiernan getting away with Predator if any actor other than Arnie was involved, not to mention the scritp full of one-liners to "disguise" the movie.
@@unbearifiedbear1885
This right here! What a comment! Yes!
With the threat of the Guerrillas closing in on the compound and Dutch’s Extraction Team; I always kinda thought back to what Anna said about the old stories of men being found killed around her village. I wonder if the Guerrillas knew that the Predator was hunting the team or knew of its existence.
You missed a big theme. Dutch becomes the predator to beat the predator. Earlier in the film, the guys get pissed that they can't hit the monster or even see him, so they fire cast amounts of ammo in every direction, but the predator is above them watching, moving from tree to tree.
Later, Dutch fires on the alien from above, moving from tree to tree, and the alien gets frustrated that he can't see his enemy, and begins firing lots of ammo in every direction. A reversal.
I loved the deep friendship between Mac and Blain, especially how he is protective over his body and how he talks to Blain that night after he dies… really wish there was more footage and valid coverage of his character. I recently got my girlfriend to watch Predator with me and she liked it… makes me wish they had a two part movie… but chances are they would have messed it up… and maybe the coverage of Mac is just right.
He was his friend.
He was a good soldier…
Great character development for secondary characters and it really works in Predator. Blaine gets a very emotional send off where as the other characters are there one second & then their not.
I would've cut all those scenes with Mac talking about deceased Blain out. They never really established that friendship beforehand and it brings the pacing to a screeching halt.
@@toolsandrepairs IDK about that, it’s quick but it’s a 1:45:00 film, they have that scene when they talking about Vietnam and it’s implied clearly they’ve been in combat together for years even prior to being on this rescue team
The ending was fine. You have the entire plot boiled down to just two opponents, Dutch and the predator. It was always about those two. The audience, knowing and rooting for Schwarzenegger vs the unknown.
Wonderful analysis as always Rob, always happy to see your take on movies 😊
He misses a lot of stuff as well though. he not that great
I've already got the 2hr and 20min version of this analysis. It came bundled with awesome Analysis of Robocop and Terminator from Collative Learning. Probably the best bundle Rob has put together. Thanks Rob feels like a Holiday when you drop those bundles!
Great video. The part where you discuss how a solder couldn’t carry the mini gun… no soldier carry’s the mini gun, it’s carried by a sexual tyrannosaurus. 💪
Arnold is a true "Screen Presence." He just commands attention, especially in his better films.
It’s going to be crazy when his likeness really does get used for assassin cyborgs in the not-so-distant future.
@@hithere4719 Yea, the newest Terminator basically did that already, albeit for just the opening scene but there will never be another Arnold. He's not my favorite actor per say but he's my favorite "Movie Star" if that makes sense lol. I straight up idolized him as a kid. I was lucky... My folks let me watch anything growing up because I had 3 older brothers, they didn't wanna get stuck watching dumb kid stuff. 'Commando' and 'Predator' were the 2 i watched the most(Alongside 'Jaws'.)
An inspiration for this movie was 1980's "Without Warning", a low budget film with 2 academy award winners, Jack palance and martin landau, as well as david caruso and cameron mitchell. The guy who plays the alien hunter in that plays the titular Predator in this film.
I miss the days of 80s action flicks that had simple plotlines and alot of gun fights. Predator is one of the best.
As always, an excellent analysis with lots of brain-food. One small detail - when you're talking about Jesse Ventura's hat you refer to it as 'a cowboy hat' - I think it may actually be an Australian 'slouch hat' - with the brim turned up on one side. There's no obvious Australian connection there - however, in the movies, I have seen these hats worn by big game hunters on safari. There's an obvious signification there - particularly since (I believe) he has a snake skin band around it. Something else to add to the mix! :)
I think it compares well with Jaws. Dutch and Brody are quite similar, the supposedly simple man's man tasked with doing the right thing but put in a bad situation by bureaucratic forces, especially if compared to the Jaws novel. Much of the character tension plays out similarly through the other characters as well.
ive thought the same for a long time, probably because both films include groups of guys being hunted by an unknown monster.
I got this entire 2 hour + presentation years ago and it's absolutely worth it. Such great insight. I really like your take about how the gorillas interrupt the end fight sequence so Arnie and the predator team up. Really awesome idea, Rob. Love your work
Thank you, Rob, for your film analysis on my favorite movie of all time. Almost 40 years later, I am still amazed at how John McTiernan, who only directed one movie prior, shot a MASTERPIECE! On top of that, a movie budget of only $15M, three months of filming in a hectic environment, and many occasions on the brink of not being made. I'm glad that Predator is finally getting It's praised. They'll never make movies like this again.
Perfect video for a Wednesday afternoon. I just watched Predator again last night. Thanks Mr. Ager.
That end battle scene when Arnold in mud camo against the tree suddenly realizes the stealth Predator is moving behind and past him... well I know how that feels when I'm unexpectedly awake in bed way earlier than I usually get up, and the CAT comes around, walking over me and checking for himself if I am actually awake so he can start messing with me and get me up to feed him.
I simply freeze completely and play asleep, clinging to the bed until the cat loses interest and moves on. It's stressful. I know, Dutch.
First time I saw this movie was on TV and I missed the start. Totally changed the way I watched the film. I didn't know what it was that was tracking them in the jungle. It kept you guessing. When I found out what the very start was later on, I thought I had lucked out.
small nitpick 15:20 its not a rocket but a grenade from an under barrel grenade launcher M203, they have arming ranges for that exact reason, if the grenade does not travel more than 5 meters iirc it does not arm and will impact anything in its path and drop harmlessly, that's why dutch uses it like a giant slug.
Still one of my all time favorites since first seeing Predator as a kid when it came into HBO 1988. Great point about Carl Weathers, always does a amazing job acting in any role. Shame almost every part he ever played he died eventually in…even Happy Gilmore
Fantastic analysis. Predator, for me, is the best action film ever made. The non stop suspense and sharp pacing is unmatched in another action movie and its incredibly impressive how effective the use of camera movement is - especially when you take into consideration that they're filming on location in the jungle - laying out dolly tracks and creating effective compositions in these sorts of locations is really commendable. The fact you can understand the choreography/geography of scenes and the relation the characters have to one another, in a place that is so dense in foliage, is remarkable. The only other action film that I think comes close to this is First Blood - but I think the ensemble cast and the way it critiques tropes of masculinity/action heros (intentionally or not) gives it a slight foot up.
I also agree that both this and The Thing, would have been better without the UFO crashing to Earth in the opening of the films. I think it works here more so than The Thing, simply because there would have needed to be some sort of exposition or a discovery of the crashed UFO to make it clear that the creature is supposed to be an Alien. It may have taken audiences out of the film if they weren't prepared for this twist. In The Thing however, I think there would be so much more tension and suspense if we the audience were experiencing the events exactly as the characters do and only reveal that they're facing off against an alien once they discover the buried UFO. However, in 1982 I think most audience members at the time knew it was a remake of Howard Hawks film, so they may have felt it was a waste of time to hide what they're fighting. For audiences now though, I think fewer people are aware its a remake so I don't think they'd feel the same way.
You are correct. It is the best action film ever made.
Excellent !! ... I really like the end credits, how all the main actors smile and wave at us (except Arnold).
It's funny that they pose and answer the question "Why would the predator come from this particular direction?" right in the movie: they set up traps and mines on all the trees around them except this single direction.
That is not a cowboy hat @13:15. It is, in fact, a Slouch hat, which is strongly associated with the ANZACS and became standard issue for Australians in the early 20th century.
Then @15:48 that "rocket" is actually a 40 mm grenade fired from Dutch's undermount, which require traveling a minimum distance before arming and being able to detonate. Precisely to prevent riflemen from blowing themselves up like that. Just so ya know.
I'm probably only going to watch this when I get home from work. Predator is one of my favourite movies of all time. I'm not going to spoil your analyses by reading the comments. Can't wait. Love your work. Deep, observational, well-explained, full of humour, and despite the depth actually quite light-hearted. You're able to bring a whole new level to the cinema / TV experience.
The skinned green berets in the chopper were more or less explained as downed by the predator, as the "heat seeking and infrared" targeting and weaponry was, per Dutch, "too sofisticated for guerillas." The characters didn't know, but they were bothered by it either way. It was like they were looking at their own fates, a stare into the abyss.
This is what happens when you take a pure fan-service movie idea and hand it to talented writers and directors. It's modern Shakespeare - gutter jokes for the pit, dumb puns and one liners for the kids, and some plot details to keep track of for those who are so inclined.
Thank you Rob for your penetrating and unique interpretative voice!
This channel stands at the apex of art analysis.
This movie is all that we dont get on big screens any more for whatever reason. And as time goes by i appreciate it even more. Such a pure masterpiece action packed movie and the most important thing is that it has Sexual Tyrannosaurus in it.
The concepts you come up with, the hint that Predator is demonic only for a alien reveal halfway through, the lady sacrificing herself, the gorilla's concept, that is just brilliant.
No it had to be a one on one at the end, to me Arnie symbolized all of us humans; humans vs aliens. I don't see the point in having Arnie in the movie if he doesn't win by his own strength, will or intellect, Arnie is also one person and him winning makes me feel amazing that a single person can overcome adversity. In fact a lot of action movies and western i feel the same way about, like Die Hard, Clint Eastwood movies, basically anything.
Yeah I agree. It was the best of humanity vs the ultimate hunter. The only thing that got arnie over the line was the element of surprise. This is after the predator could have effortlessly killed him but chose to strip off of all weapons and play with its game a little out of respect. The arrogance of the predator was the only thing that saved arney. He did not come out looking like a victor. Was pure luck to survive. You are left in awe of the predator and in any other encounter the odds of anyone surviving a 1on1 with this thing are infinitesimal.
Just a little correction...at 15:38 you say a rocket is fired...but it is actually a 40mm grenade from his M203 launcher, interestingly it's pretty correct that it doesn't explode on impact as these grenades have a minimum arming distance...if it hits something before it is armed it'll not explode...Dutch would know that I guess...
Lol right? I caught that too. My guess is that guns are not this guy's forté
That bothered me too lol
It’s not a 40 mm grenade either. You can hear three sounds in succession and it sounds like gunfire. It’s the same sound as the guy that was next to him who was hit from the same gunfire.
@@NemeanLion- that’s an m203 40x46mm grenade launcher attached to an m16aw. We shot the same exact ones in ITB.
@@WalterSobchak91 I know what it is. I’m stating the grenade launcher wasn’t what was fired. You can hear a triple gunshot. And it’s the same gunshot sound used on the guy standing next to him.
Awesome analysis as always. that quick shot of the predator recoiling in pain from its injury is so thought out. let’s us know he definitely feels pain and understands the consequence of his actions, yet still desires to hunt and kill. Much like humans do.
Channel is criminally underated
I’ve always interpreted the alien as watching them building the trap and letting them do it consciously. His thirst for a real fight and implied code of honor makes the “glory kill” that much more impressive is if he allows them a chance to fight back.
The reason the creature wears the helmet probably has little to do with breathing. It's a means to have better vision since we later see that its natural vision is somewhat poor compared to when it's wearing the helmet. It also could have different visual settings which is referenced in the film by the alien being able to see the trip wires. I love how many nuances there are in the film without even having to tell the viewer how everything works in detail. This film is so rich with contextual clues about almost everything from the characters, the symbolism, the settings, and how the teams tactics change throughout the film as they try literally every approach to beat the vastly superior enemy. In the end, one mans primitive tactics, and ingenuity beat superior technology, intelect, strength, and weaponry despite the entire team being cut down in their superior numbers one by one.
Was it Dutch's ingenuity that saved him or dumb luck? If the pred hadn't been sitting under the ballast, he wouldn't have gotten squished like the scorpion.
Glad to see you still at it, Rob! You rule
The guerrilla idea is great but it would mess up the pacing enormously. You would have to have shots of their point of view at least a few times during the second and third acts before they appear otherwise they just pop in to the story from nowhere. But that would then distract from the leanness of the existing story. I suppose it could be done.
Yeah Carl Weather's is an underrated actor, both serious and comedic. I remember he played himself in the t.v. show "Arrested Development" and he was portrayed as a cheapskate and he was great. "Got a stew going on".
"Let me tell you a little story about acting. I was doing this Showtime movie, Hot Ice with Anne Archer, never once touched my per diem." I'd go to Craft Service, get some raw veggies, bacon, Cup-A-Soup... baby, I got a stew going.
In my opinion the best film ever made - a modern day classic - I could easily watch Predator endlessly and never get bored. Alan Silvestri's sound score "Amen" enough said, the endless effort expended in the 'artistic and intellectual scope', the special effects, ...second to none. No other film can consistently raise the hairs on the back of my neck like Predator does, a true masterpiece. The scene with Dhillon (J*s*s) how can you make a better death scene than that! (the camera action, the blood curdling road echoing roar, the Predator flanking him, the balls Dhillon shows in his sheer desperate determination to fight back (despite losing his arm).. hard core, respect! I don't see any film ever being able to contend with Predator in its genre - putting it simply at no point in the film is there ever a 'crap bit'. You feel fully emersed in the film like you're the 'eighth man', the place you wish you were but grateful you're not! Film critics, button it! life isn't rational or logical nor should a film be, otherwise it would be boring and no point! Got to dash, got to get to the chopppper.
yeah its a best film "ever made" because the only films you watched are this and batman forever
The ending is perfect. The strongest man on Earth vs the Hunter of Men, and he has to resort to his brains, wits, and tricks to barely win. Classic human victory over the unknown story. Earth #1!
Really only the predators arrogance (or respect shown when he strip's off the weaponry), the element of surprise and sheer luck that arnie got out of that alive. That's what made the ending so good imo. You are left in awe of this thing that even upon death, set off a mini nuke. Arnie got very very lucky. Not really much of a triumph in the end.
I watched this movie so many times during the summer between 8th and 9th grade. This movie was so much fun to quote on Boy Scout backpacking trips 😂
I visited the "Predator" fiming location many years ago when I was in Puerto Vallarta. There's a little restaurant with what's left of one of the huey helicopters out front, and around back are some lovely waterfalls and a freshwater swimming hole, which is, apparently, a couple of pools down from the big one Arnold falls in right before he gets covered in mud and missed by the predator. If I'd had more ambition, less alcohol, and it hadn't been 95° and, like, 1000% humidity, I might have hiked up the trail to that pool. But instead I drank tequila and swung from a rope into the swimming hole. Totally worth the bus trip from downtown PV into the jungle, but the diesel fumes and winding dirt road back into the city did not go especially well with my belly full of tacos and most of a bottle of tequila.
Speaking of missing the Predator ship intro. This exact experience happened for me the first time watching this on VHS, as I was used to going into the kitchen to make food/a drink to avoid having to manually (no remote control) fast forward the tape through the trailers/adverts/anti-piracy messages. I returned to the lounge with my brew/snacks to see "Arnold Schwarzenegger" titles over the jungle intro. I was quite pleased with myself at the time, and watching the movie without the alien ship intro made it more immersive for me, having no idea what the hell was going on in the jungle, like the characters!
I'm not sure an alternate ending with the guerrillas fits Dutch's character. He explicitly tells Dillon "I don't do this kind of work." and I feel like he'd be more likely to leave and let his enemies slay each other than want the blood on his own hands. I saw the showdown at the end as being out of necessity rather than revenge.
God damn it Rob…you make some of the most interesting content on RUclips
Can't wait for your analysis of the incredible 2018 follow-up... ;)
This movie sufficed perfectly well on its own. They really tarnished it by turning it into a series
The sequals destroyed its legacy...also terminator 3 and alien 3 and beyond destroyed theirs respectively.
All of Carl Weathers lines are delivered like a pro:
"You're saying we're being hunted by a fucking lizard?!"
😂😂😂
Thank you, yet again, for feeding my brain Mr. Ager!
One of my all time favorite collative studies, I've had it in my gumroad library for 5 years now.
They actually did a test of the mud thermal camouflage and it works. Military pros using both versions of therma goggles couldn't find the subject for a couple hours, even searching mere meters away. It wasn't until the dog sniff him out that they found him.
This video along with Spot the Subliminal’s video are so well in depth. They’re my favorites from you
So glad l found this or at least the algorithm did. Superb analysis. Easy to follow but always informative.
Another great deep dive. I wonder if you'd consider doing an analysis of Dark City. I've been considering doing a breakdown of its story structure (strictly in terms of craft, as a writer), but only someone like you could do its below-the-surface meaning justice and how it fits into its time period (zeitgeist). The older I get, the more I like it than The Matrix. As groundbreaking as Matrix was, it has become a parody of itself, but Dark City, at least for me, still retains its power. Just thought I'd ask.
Excellent analysis. My only gripe--Dutch shot the mercenary in the chest with a grenade, not a rocket. At that distance, I don't know if he would be injured and it looks like the grenade passed through the guy without exploding.
Ooooh this just made my afternoon!!!
As usual, fascinating insights. Blain's hat isn't a cowboy hat, though. It's a slouch hat, which is an Australian thing.
Australians have cowboys, too. They're called Drovers. But that's a neat observation.
Thank you!
I absolutely love your analysis videos! Thank you Rob!
Wish I could upvote twice. Great analysis of one of my favorites.
Predator is never boring to watch even after multiple viewings its just got all the right elements right where they need to be and when you start to watch it its like you have to see it through to the end, first blood is another film that exudes this quality they are very different films but they both are tight and have no fat on them.
By far my favorite movie growing up, I even used to annoy my friends always quoting lines from the Predator movie.
I love this video. I always wondered why I loved this movie so much. I remember noticing the quality of Arnie's acting too. Carl Weathers (RIP) was always a good actor and was very well cast here.
Another amazing video Rob. Have you ever thought of doing a video on Once Upon a Time in America? That’s a film that I’d love to see you analyse. Keep up the great work 👍
My favourite film analyst doing a video on my favourite movie of all time? Awesome 😎
So stoked about this video thanks Rob!
I watch and re watch this movie, it’s on my long list of movies I can just watch anytime in any mood.
Rob, as a film, genre is very important. The spaceship is the key that turns that engine. I loathe movies which pretend to be fantasy/sci-fi/supernatural but end up being something more mundane. The difference between sci-fi and supernatural is too great to allow it to be a question.
People search out movies to watch primarily by genre. When you ask someone what movies they like to watch, they begin with genre and/or time period (which implies genre in many cases).
Amazing work 👏
That guerilla ending idea battle sounded brilliant honestly.
Actually, I don't think so. It's just an opinion of course, but I think that would have diluted the impact of the "mano y mano" last battle that the film was so clearly leading up to. If it had happened earlier in the second act, maybe, but not the final clash. Also, in my own head cannon, I always imagine the Predator had already killed the guerilla's, because he wouldn't want them getting his prey before him!
@chuckpoore I think the meaningful purpose it would have served would have been to illustrate the unspoken code of honor between warriors and enemies. That they value the war between each other to such a high degree, that they would team up against lower, inferior soldiers, eliminate them, in order to preserve the quality of their own war between each other. I think it would have made them more complex, dynamic.
@@Brooder85 okay that's fair enough, I see your point. I think that might have worked if this had been two films, where the first one ends with them teaming up against the guerillas, then the second movie focusing on their individual combat. I think it would have been too much for one film, or it would have been too long. But I see the point you're making and i agree it does have potential.
@@Brooder85 The thing is, Dutch states at the beginning of the film that he leads a rescue team, not assassins. Dutch is more of a protector rather than a hunter going out of his way to kill for sport like the Predator does. Dutch's goal at the end is to kill the Predator in order to preserve lives or "there will be no one left to get to the chopper". I highly doubt Dutch would cast aside his goal of killing the alien that wiped out his entire team due to some warriror code of honor. He would've mercilessly dealt with him like he did guerillas after witnessing them execute a prisoner (almost similar to how the Predator shoots Poncho at the end).
The second idea for a possible alternative ending is actually awesome. If the opening space shot was removed and this alt ending done right, an already classic movie could gain much.
I remember a review at the time stating that Jesse Ventura's minigun was "big enough to give a rhinosaurus a hernia."
Carl Weathers was very good in "Happy Gilmore". The part was a bit underwritten but he still put in a very good comedic performance. Far funnier than Adam Sadler.
Love the video Rob.
The opening shots in both the Thing and Predator were later added and weren't in the original copies.
AH, my all time favourite movie. First watched this when I was 5 years old. Grew up on 100 acres and the house was in the middle of dense forest. Aside from that bias, and the minor unrealistic elements in the movie, its imo the best balanced Sci-fi action flick of all time. Perfect from start to finish. A masterpiece. Good analysis. If I had 1 criticism, I would have liked the middle section where the squad is being hunted to be longer and the 1v1 with arnie and pred be a touch shorter.
Great video Rob.
Cheers dude!
I will add a thought to the part where Arnold shoots the guy with the under barrel grenade launcher; there were buckshot rounds produced for 40mm grenade launchers so perhaps that's what they were going for and also if it was meant to be a high explosive grenade, they have to spin for a certain distance before they arm as to not explode too close the the shooter so it is feasible to shoot someone with one and it not blow up in your face. Just wanted to add that to the conversation. And great video as always, Rob. Thanks.
Yea I think the minimal arming distance is the actual issue here. In regards to the, "rocket" bahahaha
Robs voice is forever associated with videos of the Shining for me.