Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Apr 08, 2021, 02:47:10 PM
Solely in my own personal travels, my experiences, and my interactions alone, I've found this phenomena of people's desire to change the concept of Predator... the wanting to transform the creature from its core concept to these argh, kill, kill, kill psychopathic monsters... to be disproportional high among Alien fans that prefer the Alien monster first and foremost, but also have become Predator fans by nature of the two creatures' union. It's really interesting. So perhaps, just perhaps, there is something subconsciously inherent in many primary Alien fans and their love for that unrelenting kill kill kill type of monster that causes them to want to apply that appeal to Predators, to make them more personally enjoyable.
Who knows for certain. I'm sure much more intelligent people than me could analyze this, weigh all of it and determine its merits if any.
Its the human experience, mainly the human projection that an outside force wants to invade and do harm to them as that is what we humans have done to others throughout human history. Especially here in the states, fear of invading communists that was ingrained in our minds since WWII, fear of the unknown that we see outside the depths of outer space a la H.P Lovecraft, leads to a possible alien invasion thanks to the conspiracy events of Area 51 and other supposed alien encounters from local populations. The U.S culture is deep rooted in fear of losing their freedom and fear of "invading" immigrants that is still rooted today as you can see with many of the political troubles we have here. Alien invasions is just one manifestation of this fear.
Its the same reason why I see Dutch's perspective on Predators very interesting and unique to fictional alien races overall, he would rather face the possibility of an alien invasion rather than being hunted as that simply relegates human beings to just game animals. We humans always seen ourselves the dominant race on the planet, the center of our own world that mastered this very Earth, so having an outside force not even seeing value in us as something worth conquering but to be hunted greatly demotes us to a position equal to that to the animals we used to hunt long ago, or even perhaps to cattle we raise for our consumption.
Which is why added to this sudden demoted rank of our place in the food chain, The Honor Code simply puts an interesting spin on the aliens coming to earth in that they do have thinking minds with different values that are that different from us, pure alien. Besides being a guiding principle that disciplines their life from indiscriminately killing anyone that would make it no different from any alien race in media, it has a reward system for their enemies. If one of us slays their kind, that individual is seen to be respected for taken down a fellow warrior, spared, and perhaps even honored with a gift from their elders. Its a strange set a rules that evades us but yet it is just to them, which sells a truly alien race with their own distinct culture.
Its an alien race that does not want peace with us, but also does not wish war or invasion either. Its a unique set of values not seen in other media with aliens that makes the Predator stand out on its own and makes it a iconic character that we all know today.
Its also why I don't understand the whole "space samurai" comparison when historically samurai weren't exactly as honorable as people claimed as there are many many accounts in they were complete dicks to their lower class people such as testing new swords on criminals for the simple crime of thievery, testing their new weapon on innocent civilians even (known as tsujigiri), and even the carte blanche of killing anyone that insulted them because that's samurai privilege for ya. Rather they also have a mix of Viking and Mongol culture in them, a nomadic warrior-hunter people that live in tribes with similar practices like the practice of adopting others into their tribe when they see you as a worthy opponent, with a dash of Bushido code of honor from the Samurai. It all goes back to Keyes tapes on Predator Hunting Grounds where Predators live by a culture that humans left behind so long ago so in this way, Predators address old ways and thinking that we humans once have done in the past. Its a twist on the human perspective of an invading alien force but rather with a dash of warrior-hunter culture that many people used to live by themselves so long ago. Ruthless and bloodthirsty, yet not evil and even honorable? Complex just like us humans and all of human history, its a new take of our fears and reflection on us as well.
Oh and remember, the last time someone proposed Predators invading Earth, it ended up with them wanting to hunt kids for autism to make them stronger adapt to Earth better due to climate change or whatever so yeah, idk why yall still stick with that when someone already did your idea and it sucked major balls.