Official PREDATOR thread!

[nash]

OK, What's the difference between the Ancient Predator "Asia Edition" and non-Asia, or is there only 1 version? I'm kinda confused on it.

The only difference is the edition sizes and mask.

 

[PosterBoyKelly]

Cool, didn't know, I'm cheap so I'll hunt for the non-asia one. Thanks

 

[screamingmetal]

That mask never wants to stay in place for me either! I've tried to shove it up far enough to engage the clips, but it's really hard to see if you got it right. I ended up breaking one off and then removed both to see if the mask would fit on his face, found out it didn't, then repaired the clip and glued them both back in place. I usually just push it as far as it will go and then position a couple of his dreadlocks over it to hold it in place! That seems to do the trick if you don't handle him too much. Just pose him the way you want and attach the mask last of all.



This is just a guess really, but the Predators in all three movies have removed their masks at some point and apparently suffered no ill effects breathing our atmosphere, so I've assumed the mask is not specifically a breathing apparatus. The masks apparently contain sensory enhancing technology which enables them to "see" in a wide variety of wavelengths, etc., and the cables attached to their masks which release the gasses when detached probably have something to do with that. Again, this is just speculation, but it doesn't seem too unlikely based on what we've seen them do in the films.

I believe you are absolutely right about their masks being symbolic... it seems decorating themselves and taking trophies is an important part of their hunter culture, so their masks are apparently symbols of their individuality and their prowess as hunters, which is probably also a symbol of rank and honor among their fellow hunters. They could, as you said, denote clan or other group affiliation, too. Every Predator movie so far has only thrown us little bits and pieces that give us hints about their lives and culture. There's still a lot to learn about them, which is one of the things that makes 'em so interesting, imo. AvP tossed us a new bone, tracing their culture and interactions with the Aliens and with our human ancestors back to ancient times. "Chariots of the Gods"! It wasn't a bad idea really, but I only wish the story had been given more depth and credibility. It could have been a really outstanding film instead of the SFX-fest it turned out to be. Maybe the next one will be better! Ass-kicking Predators AND a great story... that would definitely rock!

I've heard people use blue tack to secure the mask on the head, maybe the same could be used to keep it on the shoulder armor? Something I might do in the future because I think Elder looks the best with the mask on his shoulder.

I seem to remember the Predator in the second movie taking gasps from another smaller breathing apparatus he had in his kit when he was in that bathroom scene. I'm not sure if that was medical because he was injured at the time, but always believed it was because he was having a hard time breathing in our atmosphere.
The thing I love about the clans mask affiliation idea is that it would mean that Scar in AVP was related to the Predator in the first movie and that Celtic was related to that Pred seen at the end of Predator 2 since their masks are so similar.
I have to strongly disagree with you on the Chariots of the Gods thing. I really dislike the entire idea personally. It also felt like they were stealing from Stargate which really told that kind of story better Imho. In the comics that started this whole blending of Aliens and Predator stores, this story seen in AVP is adapted from the first comic series, but it actually takes place off Earth in the distant future and didn't use the Chariots of the Gods idea. If they followed that idea I would've loved AVP worts and all. The fact that they had the Preds hunting in the cold where they never hunt in and placed Alien Human interaction long before Ripley didn't sit right to me. I think they mostly did it so that they could save money in production.

 

[screamingmetal]

here are mine. aliens are elsewhere

Great pic LoneWolf! I really want a complete Predator collection like that!
I always thought Elder's white bone necklace was because the bones on it were old just like him, but since Chopper also has stark white bones, it's apparently because Hot Toys goofed in production.

 

[Bardoon]

I believe you are absolutely right about their masks being symbolic... it seems decorating themselves and taking trophies is an important part of their hunter culture, so their masks are apparently symbols of their individuality and their prowess as hunters, which is probably also a symbol of rank and honor among their fellow hunters. They could, as you said, denote clan or other group affiliation, too. Every Predator movie so far has only thrown us little bits and pieces that give us hints about their lives and culture. There's still a lot to learn about them, which is one of the things that makes 'em so interesting, imo. AvP tossed us a new bone, tracing their culture and interactions with the Aliens and with our human ancestors back to ancient times. "Chariots of the Gods"! It wasn't a bad idea really, but I only wish the story had been given more depth and credibility. It could have been a really outstanding film instead of the SFX-fest it turned out to be. Maybe the next one will be better! Ass-kicking Predators AND a great story... that would definitely rock!

Well no one can deny that Paul W.S. Anderson has some great enthusiasm as a fanboy, but he just doesn't seem to have the know-how as a director nor as a writer. He should've researched the history of the creatures some more...especially the Predators.This is why I worry about AvP2...

If you're interested in some more background of the Predators you may want to check out some of the books and even Dark Horse's comics. I am not sure if it considered canon but it is fairly well done.

 

[dekadentdave]

Paul W.S. Andersen was not involved with AVP2. It's directed by the Strause brothers. Reiko Aylesworth from 24 is in it.

 

[screamingmetal]

I just read this page over at Wiki:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator_(alien)
Here's part of what it says about their masks:

In Predator 2, after the character Detective Michael Harrigan removed the Predator's mask, it is seen using a breathing apparatus. Specifically what this apparatus was used for is unknown; it is possible that Predators do not thrive in the air readily available on Earth (although it might have been the smog in Los Angeles). Alternatively, this particular Predator may have suffered some respiratory distress from the slaughterhouse environment, and/or from the gunshot wounds inflicted by Harrigan's shotgun earlier in the movie. Another theory supposes that the atmosphere that Predators are adapted to is higher in oxygen, explaining Harrigan's ability to easily breathe within the Predator vessel despite the Predator's obvious distress breathing in Earth's atmosphere.

Apparently the Pred used the second oxygen mask in the slaughter house and not after it got it's arm cut off. So I think the regular mask is
necessary for it to breath in our atmosphere.

 

[abake]

Have you guys cehcecked this out?

https://board.spawn.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381903

Impressive looking customizations!
I wish the pics were better.

 

[Mudshark]

I've heard people use blue tack to secure the mask on the head, maybe the same could be used to keep it on the shoulder armor? Something I might do in the future because I think Elder looks the best with the mask on his shoulder.

Blue tack or regular double-sided tape would no doubt do the trick. I like the mask on the shoulder too, so I may give that a try when I eventually set him up for permanent display.

I have to strongly disagree with you on the Chariots of the Gods thing. I really dislike the entire idea personally. It also felt like they were stealing from Stargate which really told that kind of story better Imho. In the comics that started this whole blending of Aliens and Predator stores, this story seen in AVP is adapted from the first comic series, but it actually takes place off Earth in the distant future and didn't use the Chariots of the Gods idea. If they followed that idea I would've loved AVP worts and all. The fact that they had the Preds hunting in the cold where they never hunt in and placed Alien Human interaction long before Ripley didn't sit right to me. I think they mostly did it so that they could save money in production.

Well, I was trying to be sarcastic! It was already 5 a.m. in my part of the world and my brain was shutting down on me... Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression! To begin with, I was/am also a fan of Dark Horse Comics and I especially enjoyed the Aliens and Predator spin-off stories they did. It got even better when they connected both storylines and created the Alien vs Predator series. When I went to see the movie I was really hoping/expecting to see a Dark Horse style story adapted to the big screen, and was as disappointed as anyone could be at the apparent change (lack) of direction. Having it set on present day Earth instead of the future made no sense to me. The "ancient times" thing would have been okay IF it had been tied into the previously established storylines in a way that made much better sense. The "Chariots of the Gods" suggestion was absurd and felt like it was thrown together at the last minute. I simply meant to say it wasn't 'necessarily' a bad idea, I didn't mean I actually liked the idea! I loved the new Predators themselves, but that's about all the movie had going for it, imo. We can only hope the next AvP movie will get back to basics and give us the kind of story we were all expecting the first time around. That's all I was trying to say before. Clear enough?

I seem to remember the Predator in the second movie taking gasps from another smaller breathing apparatus he had in his kit when he was in that bathroom scene. I'm not sure if that was medical because he was injured at the time, but always believed it was because he was having a hard time breathing in our atmosphere.

I always assumed their masks were for breathing our atmosphere, too. But it appears some of their other equipment is tied into the mask as well. I guess that's where I got the idea that it might not be only for breathing. Maybe we can assume it serves multiple purposes, based on what we've seen so far?

Well no one can deny that Paul W.S. Anderson has some great enthusiasm as a fanboy, but he just doesn't seem to have the know-how as a director nor as a writer. He should've researched the history of the creatures some more...especially the Predators.This is why I worry about AvP2...

I have the same concerns about the next movie... I wondered if there would even BE a next one. Let's hope they do it right this time!

 

[Bardoon]

Paul W.S. Andersen was not involved with AVP2. It's directed by the Strause brothers. Reiko Aylesworth from 24 is in it.

I believe this is the Strause bros. directorial debut but I thought Anderson helped write it.I guess not...


WHICH IS GREAT NEWS!

 

[Wor-Gar]

Have you guys cehcecked this out?

https://board.spawn.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381903

Impressive looking customizations!
I wish the pics were better.

Is that really someone's custom? WOW! Looks almost like HT is doing a P1 Predator.

 

[screamingmetal]

I always assumed their masks were for breathing our atmosphere, too. But it appears some of their other equipment is tied into the mask as well. I guess that's where I got the idea that it might not be only for breathing. Maybe we can assume it serves multiple purposes, based on what we've seen so far?

Yeah, they definitely serve multiple purposes. The one on Elder's shoulder just doesn't fit in with the rest of the mythology. Maybe the Elder never wanted to step foot off ship and didn't bring his Environmental helmet.
I really can't wait for AVP2. Hopefully they fixed the story and have it set in the future off of Earth. I also look forward to the inevitable Hot Toys Figures.

 

[King Darkness]

Have you guys cehcecked this out?

https://board.spawn.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381903

Impressive looking customizations!
I wish the pics were better.

That is freakin' awesome!!!!!

 

[dekadentdave]

Is that a McFarlane/Hot Toys hybrid?

 

[screamingmetal]

Is that a McFarlane/Hot Toys hybrid?

Might be. But since McFarlane never made a 1:6 Predator 2, I'm inclined to think that these are HT figures combined with model kits of some kind.

 

[The ill Jedi]

That is freakin' awesome!!!!!

Damn, that is sweet! If I knew the guy that made that I'd give him a bear hug and a wad of cash and say, "Go make me one NOW!!".

 

[ragacin]

So still no news on the HT Pred 1 and P2 yet eh? IF they even got the licence.

 

[nash]

something just doesnt look right about that custom.

 

[Praetorian380]

So still no news on the HT Pred 1 and P2 yet eh? IF they even got the licence.

word on the street is that Hot Toys has no interest in doing a P1 or P2 figure any time soon

I am pretty sure there was a post on the boards about that some time ago. I remember reading it on here.

 

[Mudshark]

word on the street is that Hot Toys has no interest in doing a P1 or P2 figure any time soon

I am pretty sure there was a post on the boards about that some time ago. I remember reading it on here.

If that turns out to be true it will be most unfortunate, for us AND Hot Toys. I think they could get a lot more collectors on board and make a lot more money if (when?) they were to do the classic first and second Predators. There have been countless kits made of them already and there seems to be no end to the demand. Maybe they'll eventually realize the potential and change their minds. In the meantime, they made some very nice basic figures that can be customized, like the ones we just saw.