Predator

Hollywood continues to have record years when it comes to gross revenues, yet continues to see decline in actual movie-goers. A strange thing, this. But despite this, and the mindless stuff Hollywood spews, something good, something entertaining, actually shows up from time to time.

Consider "Predator".

Admittedly, "Predator" starts with a rehash of "Rambo" material and ends with a rehash of "Alien" material, which should be the makings of expensive nothings.

But it isn't. And that, in and of itself, is a pleasant and refreshing experience.

"Predator" stars Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Of course it does. Who else could be in a movie like this and pull it off?) Ah-nuld is the leader of a U.S. Army commando unit that goes into South America, into the jungle on a supposed political mission, and ends up battling a killer from outer space.

Not much of a premise, yes. The makings of a certain comic book or graphic novel tale, yes. But. . .

"Predator" manages to transcend this station. It is a slick, high-energy, white-knuckle action flick that grabs you by the throat (and, later, lower), and doesn't let you go until it wants to.

Which is actually after the end credits.

The heroes of the movie spend much of their time in the jungle. An impenetrable jungle. A green, steamy world filled with natural predators beyond the predator that stalks, hunts, and kills the Commandos.

The story (and I use that word properly here, despite criticism there isn't much of a story) opens on Schwarzenegger (Dutch) and the soldiers, who have gone into the jungle in search of South American officials who have been reported kidnapped. They track, they locate, they find triangulate, and prepare to move for a surgical military strike.

But. . .

Don't. Instead they find the bodies of team members who have been skinned (alive!) and hung from trees like so much ripened fruit.

Forget the officials. There's something more here, and now the hunters are the hunted.

Or are they?

More on that momentarily.

The predator of the movie (hence the title) is from outer space. Why it is here, on Earth, goes unexplained. But never mind. It is a minor detail not to worry about. What is important are its intentions toward humans. Specifically the commandos.

Special effects master Stan Winston designed the predator costume, and what a job he did. The creation is disgusting. And frightening. And a wonder to behold. (It has a mouth with pinchers to shove in food. Whatever or whomever that food may be.)

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