Blu-ray Movie Reviews

When the US loses a diplomat over enemy lines, Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his covert military team are sent to find them and get out of dodge without being detected. Once on the scene, they find some special forces personnel skinned alive and wonder who or what could have done it.

The 1980s had its share of sci-fi/horror classics and Predator is one of the best and spawned a number of sequels including the upcoming theatrical release of Predators. Schwarzenegger is outstanding as the action hero and director John McTiernan takes a promising concept and delivers the goods with plenty of action and intensity.

Video Highlights

• AVC/1080p encode on a BD-50 disc
• Absolutely no film grain due to excessive DNR
• Ample edge enhancement
• Bold color palette and solid blacks
• Plastic looking faces (due to DNR)

Audio Highlights

• DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack
• Decent dynamics considering its age
• Surprisingly good surround activity
• Intelligible dialog
• Suitable ambiance

The principal photography has never looked that great due to the film stock used in 1987, but this newly minted master is an abomination. There's absolutely no film grain whatsoever due to excessive use of DNR it looks more like a soap opera than a film. When you first see Schwarzenegger take a peek at the lack of texture in his face and clothing. He looks more like the Ken doll from Toy Story 3 than a human being.

Bonus Materials

• Predator: Evolution of a Species – Hunters of Extreme Perfection
• Audio commentary by director John McTiernan
• Text commentary by film historian Eric Lichtenfeld
• If it Bleeds, We Can Kill It: The Making of Predator
• Inside the Predator Featurettes
• Special effects featurettes
• Short Takes with the Filmmakers
• Deleted scenes and outtakes
• Photo gallery and predator profile
• Sneak peek at the new Predators

This is one of my favorite 1980s films and I wish the presentation wasn't so processed, but the special features almost make up for the pathetic video transfer. If you own the previous version you're better off keeping that even though it's a little rough around the edges, but at least it looks like film.

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Release Date: June 29, 2010
Studio: Fox

Movie: 8/10
Picture: 5/10
Sound: 8/10

Review System

Source
Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player

Display
JVC DLA-RS1 projector
Stewart FireHawk screen (76.5" wide, 16:9)

Electronics
Onkyo Pro PR-SC885 pre/pro
Anthem PVA-7 power amplifier
Panamax M5400PM power conditioner

Speakers
M&K S-150s (L, C, R)
M&K SS-150s (LS, RS, SBL, SBR)
SVS PC-Ultra subwoofer

Cables
Monoprice HDMI cables (source to pre/pro)
Best Deal analog-audio cables
PureLink HDC Fiber Optic HDMI Cable System (15 meters) from pre/pro to projector

Acoustical treatments from GIK Acoustics