Predator has aimed its triple laser scope and left behind a blistering impact within the Sci-Fi genre. The titular hunter has become an iconic symbol within pop-culture due to its foreboding presence and unique appearance. A mass amount of this is attributed to the action saturated films and lore that has been bestowed upon the extraterrestrial warrior clan.
Predator has come a long way from just being an action movie that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987. For over thirty years, Predator has expanded its universe with sequels, comic books, action figure toy-lines, and video games. Here are the Top 10 Predator Franchise Moments, Ranked.
Predators: Predator Dogs
After two lackluster crossover films with the Alien franchise, audiences were starved for a decent Predator film. Predators had a lot to live up to in 2010. It returned to the franchise's roots by building on its core concept. This concept being, an intergalactic trapper of men. An opportunity to build upon that idea presented itself.
Human hunters utilize certain canine breeds to aid in their hunt. Audiences learned that so do Predators. What dawned from this sequel was a grotesquely and uniquely designed beast that was later dubbed "The Predator Hound". Their protruding bone spikes and elongated jaws complimented their ferocious masters.
Predator 2: Alien (Xenomorph) Trophy
A dreaded beast. A savage hunter. A match made in stellar hell. Aliens and Predators are mainstays within the Sci-Fi genre. In the past few decades, they have been merged together for better or worse. Predator 2 contained a subtle yet massive Easter egg that kindled the crossover blaze between both species.
In response to Dark Horse's Alien Vs. Predator comic book series, Stephen Hopkins, director of Predator 2, conceived the idea to exhibit the Predator's trophy case. Within the display was a trophy in the form of an Alien skull. Sadly, this minuscule xenomorph cameo led to better crossover fantasies than the eventual films in 2004 and 2007.
Predators: Super Predators
The third installment (of what can be considered a trilogy) of the Predator franchise, Predators, expanded the universe involving the Predators. Nimród Antal's follow up to Predator 2 brings to the forefront a new race of Predators called "Super Predators".
These monstrous warriors bring a variety of personalities to the table. Not only are they bulkier than average Predators, but they each also have their own responsibility in the hunt. The Falconer Predator utilizes a mechanical falcon to scope the terrain ahead of the group. The Tracker Predator handles the Predator Hounds that flush out the prey. The Berserker Predator leads the trio in game-planning and trophy collecting.
Predator 2: King Willie
The backdrop to Predator 2 is a vicious drug war happening deep in the heart of Los Angeles between Colombians and Jamaicans. The violence and heat of the conflict attract the Predator to the city of angels.
Lieutenant Mike Harrigan, played by Danny Glover, finds himself seeking answers to this metropolitan mystery from King Willie, the Jamaican drug lord played by Calvin Lockhart. King Willie's spiritual prophecy oozes over Harrigan. "There's no stopping what can't be stopped," professes King Willie while sensing the Predator's presence. His dreaded warning to Harrigan is a chilling one that leaves an impression on the film.
Predator: Predator Tech
One of the appeals to the Predator persona is that of its hunting technology. John McTiernan's Predator truly showcased what the titular character would be known for. The Predator's shoulder-mounted plasma caster follows the Predator's field of vision for precision blasts.
The Predator's mask grants it the perk of infrared vision to detect prey. Its cloaking device allows it to stalk its prey and prevent exposure. The double-bladed gauntlet is purposed for close-quarters combat. A medical kit is carried for post-battle patch-ups. The technology within the first film is truly crisp and aids in the storytelling. The Predator is a well-equipped hunter literally and figuratively.
Predators: Classic Predator Returns
When the Predator franchise went dry after 2007, it had to return to the well of what made it successful. 2010's Predators knew that all too well. Hence the return of the original Predator design from 1987. Not to worry it wasn't the floppy suited lobster version worn by Jean-Claude Van Damme. No, this design was similar to the Predator that Kevin Peter Hall first helmed against Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Now played by Derek Mears, audiences caught sight of a very familiar-looking creature that was dubbed the "Classic Predator". Predators managed to introduce new concepts to the franchise while kissing the ring of the original film.
Predator 2: Harrigan Vs. The City Hunter
With the absence of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the sequel, Predator 2 had immense challenges. It managed to conserve the amounts of action that the first film was known for. The city setting contrasted that of its predecessor's jungle environment. This provided some variety to the action set pieces. The gritty city crime drama unfolds as Lieutenant Mike Harrigan, played by Danny Glover, investigates what is claiming the lives of warring drug dealers and his fellow officers.
As stated before, the city setting brought upon action scene variety. Harrigan has a knockdown, drag-out brawl against The Predator across warehouses, rooftops, apartment buildings, and even a Predator spaceship.
Predator: Eyes Of The Demon
One of the aspects of the Predator is its hunting habits. The cloaking device makes it an intimidating creature that induces fear into its prey. Lunacy seeps in when battling an invisible and foreboding enemy. Predator displays this ordeal full force when a glimpse of the hellacious hunter is shown.
The Predator's eyes glimmer at Mac Eliot, played by Bill Duke, for a split second after the discovery of Blain Cooper's, played by Jesse Ventura, corpse. The entire platoon unleashes a bullet shower into the forest in which the Predator has enveloped itself in. Their descent into madness and the meat grinder continues.
Predator: "What The Hell Are You?"
In the 1980s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was at the peak of his action-hero film career. 1987 brought upon a de-construction to Schwarzenegger's action-hero prowess with the release of Predator. All the one-liners, bicep curls, and bulky firearms couldn't secure a victory for the Austrian bodybuilder. In the film's climax, Arnold's character of Alan 'Dutch' Schaefer must become a Predator to defeat a Predator.
He must cloak himself invisible, utilize melee weapons, build cerebral traps, and execute hit and run tactics. Once Dutch overcomes the Predator, he questions it, "What the hell are you?" To which the Predator responds, "What the hell are you?" This establishes the notion that Dutch is the true predator.
Predator: The Butcher's Unmasking
A franchise is only as good as its face. The Predator definitely has a face. The gradual build-up of tension and curiosity towards the Predator in the first film is nearly perfect. Throughout the film, audiences are shown just enough of the titular character to instill fear. Stalking point of view shots, optic camouflage and ultimately a mask swell up a mystery. All this culminates to a massive reveal.
Once Dutch is seen as a worthy opponent, the Predator discards its weapons for a hand-to-hand showdown. This arsenal shedding includes the Predator's mask. Audiences, along with Dutch, feast their eyes upon the clammy skinned, eye-pierced, and mandible toothed monster. And yes, the Predator is truly one ugly mother.