When it comes to action movies, especially those starring hulking beefcakes like Arnold Schwarzenegger, machismo and bravado are a given. We can expect a testosterone-fueled saga in every frame.And yet, not every such movie is capable of pulling off high-voltage drama with just a handshake. That’s where Predator (1987) stands apart.What begins as a friendly reunion between Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Dillon (Carl Weathers), in the sweltering heat of a Central American jungle, in the blink of an eye turns into a silent battle for dominance and authority. Of course, what we see on screen is locking of hands turning into locking of horns.The scene is memorable because it packs power in simplicity. It doesn’t need any exposition to establish the film’s core character dynamics or its thematic echo of alpha-male dominance. Just two colleagues and a handshake. The rest of the drama, i.e., the war of egos, is carried entirely by posture and expression.Anyway, let’s find out the alchemy of this scene by first knowing these two men.The Players in the Area: A Reunion of RivalsBefore we get into the handshake, a.k.a. the battle for dominance, we must familiarize ourselves with the players. Because this isn’t a regular meeting of two old pals; this is the collision of two completely different worlds.Major Alan “Dutch” SchaeferIn a nutshell, Dutch is an archetype of a no-nonsense field commander. His loyalty is to the men he leads, not to the assignment—or to the bureaucracy that assigns it. He is driven by instincts...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Monday, 27 October