Escape to the Movies: Predators

[Mysnomer]

Hmm...I have two potential explanations that could be interesting to develop.

1. Predators are sort of like the Zentraedi from Robotech/Macross: Engineered to be a perfect warrior race by some crystal spires advanced aliens, but they broke off from and turned on their masters and slaughtered them. They still have technology to travel the stars and wage war, but don't really understand it or the implications behind it, so they went back to business of just living out their genetic coding of liking to kill and seeking worthy opponents. You play it up as a satire of the military-industrial complex and the needless building of war machines to no goal but sustaining themselves and the stodgy traditional machismo that propels them.

According to my friend who reads the supplementary materials, this is almost spot-on. The Predators were created to be law enforcers to a highly advanced species. The Aliens were also created by this species to be a highly efficient labor force (the xenoforms we see in the movies have evolved a lot since this original concept). Together, the Xenos and Preds overthrew and destroyed their creators (can't quite recall why) and then went they're separate ways. This doesn't explain the origin of their fixation with the hunt, but their strict adherence to codes probably comes from their origin as law-enforcers.

I don't know, Bob, I respect your opinions as a movie critic, but bashing the Predators for lacking depth? I think a large part of their appeal as a "monster" is the aura of mystery that surrounds them. For half of the first movie, you don't even know what one looks like. You seem to want to strip that away and develop the Predators as full, rich characters. But beyond a loose understanding of how they interact with humans, I don't want to "know" the Predators, I don't want them to be something we understand, something closer to humanity. I want them to be alien (dictionary.com: unlike one's own; strange).

I had to go refill my tea, so my rant lost its steam, but basically, there is a line between "honorable warriors" whom we can appreciate and "douchebag macho posers" whom we despise, and the Predators are firmly in the first camp. Humor should be a tertiary objective after reviewing and informing. Don't stray into parody.

 

[Fraught]

Uh, no. That happens in every culture, it's just that in (for lack of a better word) "civilized" cultures it's done in other, subtle ways (or not so subtle as with the whole shooting your first deer example).

Here, I'll get you started with one great example: The whole "losing your virginity, notch on your belt" thing. Seems innocuous at first, and yet think about how much shit guys get as they get older and older for having not done it.

To think that "civilized" cultures have moved past the basic tropes of hunter/gatherer life is pure fallacy. All of our instincts and old tribal habits are still there, they've just been channeled and funneled into different directions. After all, beating your enemy's head open with a rock isn't exactly kosher these days

"Getting shit" can't really be compared with the rites of becoming a man that tribes today have.

 

[Keepitclean]

Well since Predator sucked I probably won't go and see this.

 

[dalek sec]

Well good to know that this movie doesn't suck and is actually good. Just wondering but does anyone know why they snatched a bunch of people as to just hunting them down back on earth?

 

[SturmDolch]

Thank-you for the Robert Rodriguez part at the start =D He's my favourite director, so it's always cool to see other fans of his.

It's pronounced NEEM-rode apparently, by the way

The vegan predators cracked me up.

I can't wait to go see this movie. Rodriguez + Trejo + Morpheous + Predator? I don't see how it could go wrong, and according to you, it didn't.

 

[TOGSolid]

Uh, no. That happens in every culture, it's just that in (for lack of a better word) "civilized" cultures it's done in other, subtle ways (or not so subtle as with the whole shooting your first deer example).

Here, I'll get you started with one great example: The whole "losing your virginity, notch on your belt" thing. Seems innocuous at first, and yet think about how much shit guys get as they get older and older for having not done it.

To think that "civilized" cultures have moved past the basic tropes of hunter/gatherer life is pure fallacy. All of our instincts and old tribal habits are still there, they've just been channeled and funneled into different directions. After all, beating your enemy's head open with a rock isn't exactly kosher these days

"Getting shit" can't really be compared with the rites of becoming a man that tribes today have.

No, and I'm not arguing that. I'm just saying that while they've become subdued and not terribly overt, all of our tribal tendencies do still exist. Humans may have neat technology and fancy clothes, but we are animals at heart.

 

[darkknight9]

"Isn't the Predator just Ted Nugent, just not as scary?"

I'm putting that on a blaze orange t-shirt tomorrow.

 

[darkknight9]

Uh, no. That happens in every culture, it's just that in (for lack of a better word) "civilized" cultures it's done in other, subtle ways (or not so subtle as with the whole shooting your first deer example).

Here, I'll get you started with one great example: The whole "losing your virginity, notch on your belt" thing. Seems innocuous at first, and yet think about how much shit guys get as they get older and older for having not done it.

To think that "civilized" cultures have moved past the basic tropes of hunter/gatherer life is pure fallacy. All of our instincts and old tribal habits are still there, they've just been channeled and funneled into different directions. After all, beating your enemy's head open with a rock isn't exactly kosher these days

"Getting shit" can't really be compared with the rites of becoming a man that tribes today have.

No, and I'm not arguing that. I'm just saying that while they've become subdued and not terribly overt, all of our tribal tendencies do still exist. Humans may have neat technology and fancy clothes, but we are animals at heart.

Amen! Now who wants to go wild boar hunting with spears!!?!??!? Mmmmmm.... fresh pork.....

 

[DND Judgement]

wow i actually saw this before moviebob did a review..... it was absolutely fucking epic.... i mean it spends a little bit of time ripping of predator, but only in a "that scene from the movie was cool we'll make something like it" kind of way....

 

[Terrified Android]

awesome! exactly what i wanted, gunna' check it out for sure!

 

[TsunamiWombat]

I still wanna see a Predator movie where it's ONE Predator, vs a megashit ton of humans, Ala Commando except the Hero isn't Arnold but the alien Arnold punched in the face one.

 

[JihadMatt]

I think the Perdator's technology can be explained much like how the Klingon's from Star Trek are explained. In that the Predators were an intellectually inferior species who were "conquered" by a superior Space faring people. Who the Klingons eventually rebelled against... and took their technology.

Not the most sound theory... But it's a theory.

Thanks for the review. I actually wanted to see it before this vid

 

[13lackfriday]

I thought the premise was pretty uninspired...I mean a motley crew of varied psycho and killers thrown together is basically the justification for every fight-game tournament or this movie. [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443473/]

Still, if it makes a decent sci-fi thriller/horror flick, it's got my interest.

And "Ted Nugent from space?" Haha, I'll remember that next time I meet a Predator.
Maybe if I start espousing my conservative beliefs, he'll crack open a beer and have a steak dinner with me instead of filling me with plasma buckshot.

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

I was really hoping this movie would be good but the trailers didn't exactly lead me to believe that it would be. I'm surprised Bob gave it a thumbs up but I'm sure as hell glad he did. I'll be going to see this as soon as I can.

 

[Turkey Braveheart]

I don't really have a problem with the Predators still living like a band of bloodthirsty hunters. People don't necessarily become gentler as they advance.

Look at it this way: The Romans were the most advanced people in the ancient world, yet they found it extremely entertaining to have their slaves fight to the death. Their less advanced Celtic neighbors, despite their own love for war, were appalled.

 

[wonkify]

Good review despite the totally unnecessary anti-hunting editorializing.

The Predator movie everyone I talk to wants desperately is the one that takes us to the Predator's homeworld(s) and shows the inside view of their culture. Like Bob said but without the weenie homage to Political Correctness "hunting bad" rant.

Bob, making tired anti-hunting noises in the movie business universe is as courageous as heroically wearing a red Aids ribbon to the Oscars. Gah.

Sounds so superior when one is in LA. Sounds like a wussy little girl of a man when in places like Montana and Texas. GRANDMOTHERS will spit at you and tell you what a wimp you are for those same sentiments. They are out in the woods in the fall too. I'm talking literally. Grannies are out getting venison for the freezer themselves in addition to butchering what the other relatives bring home. Sons, husbands, wives, daughters are all out with guns or bows to bring home meat. Not just antlers.

See if I'm wrong on this. Been there. Done it. Seen it for myself.

But don't worry, Bob, your PC credentials are officially in good odor with the darlings in Hollywood. Lucky you!

Glad you managed to like Predators anyway despite the bad hunting vibe going on.

 

[Canid117]

Uh, no. That happens in every culture, it's just that in (for lack of a better word) "civilized" cultures it's done in other, subtle ways (or not so subtle as with the whole shooting your first deer example).

Here, I'll get you started with one great example: The whole "losing your virginity, notch on your belt" thing. Seems innocuous at first, and yet think about how much shit guys get as they get older and older for having not done it.

To think that "civilized" cultures have moved past the basic tropes of hunter/gatherer life is pure fallacy. All of our instincts and old tribal habits are still there, they've just been channeled and funneled into different directions. After all, beating your enemy's head open with a rock isn't exactly kosher these days

"Getting shit" can't really be compared with the rites of becoming a man that tribes today have.

No, and I'm not arguing that. I'm just saying that while they've become subdued and not terribly overt, all of our tribal tendencies do still exist. Humans may have neat technology and fancy clothes, but we are animals at heart.

Amen! Now who wants to go wild boar hunting with spears!!?!??!? Mmmmmm.... fresh pork.....

A real man would use his bare hands!!!!!!

(Actually talking on a boar with your bare hands would probably be the next dumbest thing under attacking an actual bear with your bare hands. It would still be awesome though.)