MEMORIES:
Mikey remembers...Predator 2 had it's moments, but it can't come anywhere near the original. More »
Posted on 02/08/08
CATCH PHRASE:
With the cult success of Predator (1987), and in particular the Predator comic books, the sequel promised to take the fearsome alien out of the jungle pot and into the urban fire. John McTiernan turned down the opportunity to direct the sequel to the film that gave him his start (he did The Hunt for Red October instead), leaving the directing chair open for Dangerous Game’sStephen Hopkins. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character from the first film was written into the sequel, but Schwarzenegger strongly disagreed with the sequel’s concept and opted to do a different sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, instead.
With Schwarzenegger declining to return, Kevin Peter Hall’s Predator became the true attraction. Despite a cast featuring Lethal Weapon alum Danny Glover, Aliens’ Bill Paxton, and Buddy Holly portrayer Gary Busey, it was the title character himself who would make or break the film. In order to differentiate it from the first film, special effects guru Stan Winston spent even more time on the Predator’s design for the sequel, including advanced weaponry like the retractable spear, detachable pincers, Frisbee blade, and a net). In addition, the Predator was given something of a motivational makeover, becoming something more of a noble hunter with a code of honor than merely an indiscriminate killing machine.
When Detective Michael Harrigan (Glover) is called upon to lend a hand to overworked cops Cantrell (Maria Conchita Alonso) and Archuleta (Ruben Blades), they discover that a new player armed with state-of-the-art technology has entered into a vicious drug war. After butting heads with Federal stooge Keyes (Busey), Harrigan and Archuleta agree to investigate yet another massacre. But when tragedy strikes, Harrigan begins a personal vendetta to stop the individual responsible.
But clue after clue points to an inhuman enemy as Harrigan searches deeper. After the mysterious hunter attacks more cops, Harrigan finally closes in only to be stunned and stopped by agent Keyes and his lackeys. Keyes informs Harrigan that they’re tracking an alien species with the intent to capture it. Though Keyes and his men set up a trap to catch it, the Predator easily turns the tables and kills everyone involved. Harrigan escapes, arms himself, and pursues the Predator into his own ship where a final confrontation will reveal the truth once and for all.
Aside from bringing the Predator back to theaters, the film also bears the notorious distinction of being the very first to receive the newly devised NC-17 rating before it was cut down to its theatrical R. The film would perform disappointingly at the theaters but make a fierce cult comeback in video and DVD sales.
The end of the film features the skull of one of the xenomorphs from the Alien franchise in the Predator’s trophy collection. And although Dark Horse Comics had released an Alien vs. Predator comic the year before the film’s release, it wouldn’t be until 2005 that the Predator would once again appear in the film of the same name.
