Line #17 YMMV/Predator


1	Works in this franchise with their own YMMV pages:
2
3	* ''YMMV/Predator2''
4	* ''YMMV/{{Predators}}''
5	* ''YMMV/ThePredator''
6	* ''YMMV/Prey2022''
7
8	----
9	!![[Franchise/{{Predator}} Franchise-wide]]
10
11	* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: A franchise-wide case that has affected the portrayal of the titular creatures in each installment, which largely rests on how evil the Predators are perceived as by both the writers and audiences.
12	** The first film leaves it somewhat ambiguous as to whether the Predator is an honorable hunter looking to challenge itself or just an asshole BloodKnight who delights in killing things.
13	** The second film more clearly depicts the species as a ProudWarriorRaceGuy culture.
14	** The ''Film/AlienVsPredator'' films depict the Yautja as being a mix of both {{sadist}}ic {{blood knight}}s and a ProudWarriorRaceGuy culture.
15	** ''Film/{{Predators}}'' and ''Film/ThePredator'' introduce new Predators that are more sadistic and an overt case of EgomaniacHunter.
16	** ''Film/Prey2022'' shows their love for hunting the strongest creatures in how the Predator goes for animals that dared to attack him (a snake, a wolf, and a bear) before focusing on humans, but also that just it's certainly amused in slaughtering a whole group that goes after him.
17	** Also, how advanced they are and whether or not they "earned" it. The comics pretty much settle on them having a sort of tribal-style culture, with sport hunting as the cornerstone. Some extrapolate their "primitive" culture to indicate the Predators themselves are primitive, and their advanced technology came from stealing it from or being uplifted by a precursor of some kind. Others look at how intelligent and adaptable many of the individuals the films show are, and conclude the Yautja are a very intelligent and technologically advanced species, and they just ''like'' their tribal hunt-based society. Finally, since they only visit Earth for the hunt, it is not surprising that they would limit their own gear to what is considered "fair sport" or challenging, the same way a hunter would choose to go after deer with a crossbow over a rocket launcher.
18	* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: Music/AlanSilvestri is on '''point''' for the first two movies (so much so that Music/JohnDebney's score for ''Film/{{Predators}}'' is essentially an adaptation of Silvestri's work).
19	* CompleteMonster: See [[Monster/AlienVsPredator here]].
20	* ContestedSequel: In spite of the {{Sequelitis}}, there is a sizable portion of viewers who argue that ''Film/{{Predator 2}}'' and/or ''Film/{{Predators}}'' are decent sequels and even superior to the first in the case of the former.
21	* CreepyAwesome: The Predators’ appeal is based in large part on their ferocious skill in stalking and killing intelligent beings in gruesome ways and making trophies out of them. Their blend of alien and monstrous qualities helps cement them as a unique take on standard slasher villains.
22	* DoNotDoThisCoolThing: The first films, at least, attempt the Aesop that "sport hunting is bad". But the Predators specifically go after victims that can fight back, making the hunt a true test of skill against skill, and (nuclear self-destruct options aside) are rather {{graceful loser}}s. No shame in testing your skill against, and being bested by, a truly challenging opponent. All in all, Predator hunting is rather different than the typical deer or duck hunting humans engage in... and when humans did engage in sport hunting against things that could hunt them back, they drove several of those species to near-extinction.
23	* EvilIsCool: Given its bizarre weapons and technology and the unique design from Creator/StanWinston, the Predator inevitably became a popular slasher villain along the lines of Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. It also holds the distinction of being a very popular and almost iconic species and antagonist in science fiction culture.
24	* FriendlyFandoms:
25	** While it may be due to the [[Franchise/AlienVsPredator crossover]] between the two, both the ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' and ''Predator'' series have overlap thanks to both being 80's sci-fi horror series revolving around monsters, in addition to sharing numerous creators and actors between the two, such as special effects by Creator/StanWinston, Creator/JamesCameron having input, and actors such as Creator/BillPaxton and Creator/LanceHenriksen. At this point, it's fairly safe to consider the fandoms one and the same, with people playing exclusives to one series or another being the rarity.
26	** ''Franchise/{{Terminator}}'' has an overlap in interest with the series, owing to also being a violent 80's sci-fi series sharing numerous creators and actors with the ''Predator'' films, particularly Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger. By proxy, this also means that ''Franchise/RoboCop'' fans are also part of the shared ''Alien''-''Predator''-''Terminator'' community due to their very sizable overlap with the latter.
27	* MagnificentBastard: See [[MagnificentBastard/AlienVsPredator here]].
28	* RootingForTheEmpire: Not so much in the first film, but in ''Film/{{Predator 2}}'' and ''Film/{{Predators}}'', most of the Predator's victims are unsympathetic drug lords, criminal scum, or heartless soldiers, leading to the viewers inevitably siding with the Predator on account of [[EvilIsCool its slasher-like charisma.]] The only time the viewer has any reason to root for the protagonist against the Predator in the former is when it starts attacking police officers and armed civilians, while the line is more blurred in ''Predators''. Taken up to eleven in ''Predators'', where [[spoiler: two Predators fight each other in the climax.]]
29	* SelfFanservice: Quite a lot of fans, especially the more lewd-loving ones, tend to give the Yautjas a heaping dosage of this. Interestingly enough, there seems to be two camps when it comes to this trope. One camp downplays the Yautjas' ButterFace, by making their faces either a bit more easier on the eyes or a little more humanized yet still keeping their alien aspects, while others just outright keep the nightmarish faces (or stylize them to make them easier to draw) and just make their bodies even more fanservice-y (i.e. turning female Yautjas into an AmazonianBeauty while the male ones can either just be decently [[MrFanservice hunk-ish]] or wouldn't be too out of place in the BaraGenre).[[labelnote:*]]While cinema has yet to see one, the comics describe female Yautja as being bigger in size than the males.[[/labelnote]]
30	* {{Sequelitis}}: Each sequel tends to be met with lesser level of acclaim or success that the previous film has, with ''Film/ThePredator'' suffering particularly hard due to the credentials of the director and cast, though ''Film/Predator2'' and ''Film/{{Predators}}'' have definitely [[VindicatedbyHistory gained better appreciation over time]], largely thanks to the ''Film/AlienVsPredator'' films and ''The Predator'' being more divisive films. It wasn't until the release of ''Film/Prey2022'' that it finally bounced back, which has received positive reviews, and although audience reaction has been more tepid, it still has higher scores than the other sequels.
31	* TooCoolToLive: Most of the Predators' victims are [[WorthyOpponent commendably formidable fighters themselves, but special mention goes to those the Predators choose to claim their skull and spinal cord as trophies for putting up a heck of a fight for them before winning]]. Also, any [[EvilIsCool Predator]] in the films who is killed by their opponent.
32	* SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome: Given that Creator/StanWinston was involved with the special effects, the Predator suits still look amazing years after they left theaters.
33
34
35	!![[Film/{{Predator}} The first movie]]
36
37	* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: The Predator's laugh as it activates its self-destruct. Mocking Dutch that the explosion will [[TakingYouWithMe kill them both]], and thus the Predator believes it's literally getting the last laugh? Or the Predator reveling in going out [[AGoodWayToDie exactly the way it wanted to]], killed by a WorthyOpponent at the climax of a glorious hunt?
38	* AwardSnub: Losing the Visual Effects Oscar to ''Film/{{Innerspace}}''. Not so much for the loss, as ''Innerspace'' had some amazingly impressive and innovative special effects itself, but more for the fact this was the only Oscar any of the films were nominated for.
39	* EnsembleDarkhorse:
40	** Blain, who rocks a magnificent mustache, declares himself "a goddamn sexual Tyrannosaurus", [[MemeticMutation doesn't have time to bleed]], and fights with a [[GatlingGood minigun]]. Thus, it comes as a surprise to many first-time viewers [[spoiler: that this lively character is the second casualty of the film.]]
41	** Mac, who initially seems unassuming (or at least as much as [[RatedMForManly this cast]] can get unassuming), but memorably wigs out to ScaryBlackMan levels after the Predator toys with him too much.
42	* EvilIsCool:
43	** The Predator is beloved as an iconic villain across sci-fi, horror and action films thanks to being a CreepyAwesome alien capable of hunting a manly platoon of mercenaries with ease. This is further bolstered by its interesting design by Creator/StanWinston and a rudimentary hunting code that gives it an intriguing personality. It’s quite telling that it spawned a VillainBasedFranchise over Dutch, the film’s true protagonist.
44	** Dillon may be a corrupt CIA agent who gets forced into fighting the Predator with Dutch’s team, but the late Creator/CarlWeathers plays him with a ton of charisma, aided by the character being a legit BadassBureaucrat.
45	* FirstInstallmentWins: While some of the sequels have their fans, the original ''Predator'' is by far the most well known and revered film in the franchise, and is universally considered to be an action classic.
46	* FountainOfMemes: Virtually every single one of the main characters has an infamous action or one-liner.
47	* HarsherInHindsight:
48	** Hawkins’ dirty jokes revolving around sex are a lot more disturbing after it turned out Creator/ShaneBlack was friends with a registered sex offender, to the point of providing him minor acting roles.
49	** The film depicts the CIA as meddling in South America because of communism. This became a lot harsher due to the Iran Contra scandal that broke later that year.
50	** Similarly, the film's willingness to paint the government as shady can be much harder to look at after Creator/JohnMcTiernan acknowledged lying to the FBI.
51	* SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct: We're given the rare sight of Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger being straight-up ''terrified'' by the bigger, tougher opponent who's relentlessly hunting him. Plus, there's his traumatized ThousandYardStare in the final shot.
52	* HilariousInHindsight:
53	** Of course, any movie with Arnie and Wrestling/JesseVentura is funnier because of their subsequent political careers, but lesser known is that Sonny Landham (Billy) also tried to run for Kentucky Governor and Senator. Creator/CarlWeathers later mocked this with a spoof campaign commercial: "Vote for me. I was in ''Predator''!"
54	** Arnold would later star in ''Film/TheExpendables'' and accuse Creator/SylvesterStallone of liking to fight in the jungle.
55	** Dutch declares that his team is "not expendable." Dutch's actor appears in ''Film/TheExpendables'' franchise -- but not as ''one'' of The Expendables. Also, none of the rest of the actors in his platoon do.
56	* HoYay:
57	** When Dutch and his old friend Dillon reunite, they have a arm wrestling match with prolonged eye contact throughout as they both smile.
58	** This little bit when Blain's offer of tobacco is refused:
59	--->'''Blain:''' Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here! This stuff will make you a goddamn sexual tyrannosaurus -- just like me!\
60	'''Poncho:''' ''[showing his gun]'' Then strap ''this'' on your sore ass, Blain.\
61	''[Billy laughs]''
62	** When Blain is killed, everybody on his team is upset, but his 'friend' Mac is absolutely devastated. He becomes almost suicidally vengeful and explains to a concerned Dutch that Blain was his ''friend'', with special emphasis on the word. He also insists he be the one to put Blain's dead body in a poncho, and takes one last drink before leaving his canteen upon Blain's body for burial. His parting words are "Goodbye, bro", and later that night, when he's looking up at the moon, sullen: "Here we are again, bro. Just you and me".
63	* MemeticMutation:
64	** Some of the one-liners are downright ''legendary''.
65	---> '''Blaine:''' Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here, this stuff'll make you a goddamn sexual ''Tyrannosaurus'' -- just like me!\
66	'''Blaine:''' I ain't got time to bleed.\
67	'''Hawkins:''' [[ChirpingCrickets ... it was 'cause of the echo.]]\
68	'''Dutch:''' If it bleeds, we can kill it.\
69	'''Dutch:''' Stick around.\
70	'''Dutch:''' Knock knock.\
71	'''Mac:''' Any time.\
72	'''Mac:''' [[MadnessMantra OH BABY, OH BABY, I'M GONNA HAVE ME SOME FUN, I'M GONNA HAVE ME SOME FUN, I'M GONNA HAVE ME SOME FUN...]]\
73	'''Dutch:''' Ruuuuun! Goooooo! Get to da choppa!\
74	'''Dutch:''' You're one ''ugly'' motherfucker.
75	** Billy's laugh and the Predator's imitation of it.
76	** Dutch and Dillon's handshake became an image known as the Epic Handshake meme. Likewise, Dutch's greeting to Dillon ("You son of a ''bitch!''") is a meme in and of itself, often put over images of two manly men shaking hands.
77	** The use of handheld miniguns.
78	** "A movie starring not one but two future Governors."[[labelnote:Explanation]]referring to Wrestling/JesseVentura, governor of Minnesota between 1999 and 2004, and Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger, governor of California between 2003 and 2011[[/labelnote]]
79	** The FranchiseKiller release of Shane Black's ''Film/ThePredator'' led to much mockery about the fact that Shane Black himself was in the first Predator and was even the Predator's first victim. As such, jokes have abounded of the Predator travelling back in time to 1987 to kill Shane Black in retaliation for making a terrible sequel.
80	** [[https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1045264-chris-hansen Many jokes point out the REAL enemy of the Predator:]] [[Series/ToCatchAPredator Chris Hansen.]]
81	* MisaimedFandom: According to director commentary, the entire point of the scene where the team empties their ammunition into the jungle to try to kill the Predator is that this is stupid, futile venting that accomplishes nothing beyond wasting bullets, with no small amount of CompensatingForSomething involved. Most fans of the film think the scene is totally badass.
82	* SugarWiki/MostWonderfulSound: The Predator's plasma caster and Blain's minigun.
83	* {{Narm}}:
84	** [="GET TO DA CHOPPA!"=] Though many fans view it as NarmCharm, particularly given the memorable sequence that immediately follows.
85	** In the final fight, whenever it cuts to the Predator's infrared POV, Dutch's voice gets high-pitched making it sound as if the Predator is beating up [[Franchise/AlvinAndTheChipmunks Alvin the Chipmunk]], which can elicit unintentional chuckles.
86	** After lingering on Dutch's bloodstained body and [[ThousandYardStare traumatised gaze]], the film cuts to black with tense, sombre music... only to cut to a montage of the various characters we've just seen get brutally murdered laughing and going about their day in a way more appropriate for the credit sequence of a Vietnam-themed ''Series/HogansHeroes''. [[SoundtrackDissonance The sombre music playing over it doesn't help]].
87	* NarmCharm:
88	** [[GatlingGood Ol' Painless]]. Bringing a gun that weighs at least 41 lbs / 19 kg and requires thousands of rounds of ammunition and a portable power supply on a stealthy hike through the jungle is a complete ViolationOfCommonSense, but it's such an awesome weapon, used by the film's EnsembleDarkhorse, and contributes so much to the action scenes, that it gets a pass for being so much darned fun.
89	** The VideoCredits, as noted under {{Narm}}, are more than a little out of place after the film's BittersweetEnding. However, knowing the film's TroubledProduction, and how miserable the cast were making the film, it does feel somewhat appropriate that they're given the chance to take a final bow before the credits.
90	* OnceOriginalNowCommon:
91	** Handheld miniguns are hardly revolutionary now that several action movies have imitated or parodied them.
92	** Visible invisibility isn't as exciting now that works like ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' have imitated it.
93	** Back in its time, the film itself was considered shocking, as it broke the action movie mold by having Arnie and his friends defeated by a stealthy being that uses its brain and deception to defeat them and, in turn, is only beaten in the end by some quick thinking on part of the hero. Nowadays, it's common practice for action movies, especially after ''Film/DieHard'', to have their protagonists rely on their brains instead of heavy firepower and shooting stuff.
94	* TheProblemWithLicensedGames: While most of the {{licensed game}}s are decent, the NES version is an exception. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNRSAlZzT7A Arnie wearing pink pants]], the FinalBoss being a [[spoiler:[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3akRgRtho9k giant Predator head]]]], among others.
95	* RetroactiveRecognition: Try to recognize Creator/ShaneBlack under [[http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/avp/images/2/2a/Hawkins.png/revision/latest?cb=20130413102132 Hawkins]]' '80s geeky glasses.
96	* SignatureScene:
97	** Dutch and his squad unloading absurd amounts of ammo blindly into the jungle (the Predator is hit exactly ''once'', and that was before the firestorm started).
98	** The Predator removing his mask to reveal its very ugly face, and going [[CurbStompBattle "hand-to-hand"]] against Dutch.
99	* SpecialEffectsFailure:
100	** The blank-firing adapters are visible in the barrels of the guns of Dutch's crew, for example the blank adapter in Mac's [=M60E3=] is notably glowing red from sustained fire at the beginning of the MoreDakka scene.
101	** Later in the film, the Predator is seen swinging during daylight in one shot, when it's supposed to be night.
102	* TearJerker:
103	** As Mac affectionately lays a whiskey flask on [[spoiler:Blaine's]] body to Alan Silvestri's mournful yet warm and gentle trumpets:
104	--->'''Mac:''' Goodbye, bro.
105	** Later that night, Mac is on guard and looking at the stars whilst going over Vietnam memories with Blain. Throughout this sequence, he's chewing tobacco -- tobacco that everyone refused when Blain offered it to them in the helicopter.
106	** [[spoiler:The thousand-yard-stare Dutch (who by this point has gone from a confident jock-y superhuman to a withering, traumatized wreck that has lost everyone he loved) gives in the film's final shots.]]
107	* TooCoolToLive: [[spoiler:Dutch's entire team ([[FallenHero even]] [[BadassBureaucrat Dillon]]) is this. Each of them is an entertaining and likeable OneManArmy with a unique skillset, and they're all dead by the end of the film's second third so that Dutch can fight the Predator one-on-one.]]
108	* ToughActToFollow: It took over 30 years for [[Film/Prey2022 a sequel]] to come out that was even considered, by some, in the same league as this one. While the second and third films have their fans (the less said about the 2018 effort among the fandom, the better) and are generally respected for each trying something new with the overarching premise, it's commonly accepted opinion that neither of them reached the heights of the original.
109	* ValuesDissonance:
110	** Blain calls the others "slack-jawed faggots" when they politely refuse tobacco.
111	** Mac casually drops "Chinaman" into a conversation with no irony.
112	* VindicatedByHistory: While a hit with audiences, ''Film/{{Predator}}'' was not well received by critics at the time (although Creator/RogerEbert gave it a positive review) and its Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes scores reflected this. Thanks to its unforgettable and unique antagonist, effects and surprisingly subtle GenreDeconstruction, in more recent times, critical attitudes have warmed, and it has even gone on to be featured on several "best of" lists. (It's also picked up a reputation as one of [[RatedMForManly the manliest movies ever.]])
113	* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotPolitical: The film has been noted as an allegory for UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar -- an unseen enemy who is well versed in camouflage defeating a "superior" American force. (The Predator's technological advantage notwithstanding.)

Context YMMV / Predator