What if predator 2 was the first film of the franchise?

[nanison]

Would it be regarded as an action classic like the first one or not?
The film has a lot of fans including myself, I have it in my all time top 25 but most critics say they miss Arnold Schwarzenegger and it feels like that is the only reason why the movie gets lesser reviews at times.

I have a feeling if predator 2 had been the first film it would be a cult hit just like predator is, now it is definitely overshadowed.

The movie has a lot to offer for action fans. The spaceship looks fantastic and otherworldly, the finale with Danny Glover (basically last 40 min or so) is freaking wild and intense.
More exotic gadgets and weaponry make for more diversity, the urban jungle setting works great.
Unlike most sequels the predator's look is still only revealed very late on, it still has that sense of mystery. The creature is drawn to a very violent world and it kind of makes sense.

[SiL]

It would've fallen into niche cult obscurity with a bunch of other similar films from the 80s and 90s.

[Rankles75]

I don't mind Predator 2 for the most part, but I have my doubts that it would have spawned a franchise if it was the first film.

[nanison]

I don't mind Predator 2 for the most part, but I have my doubts that it would have spawned a franchise if it was the first film.

It actually hinted at a franchise way more than the original with the pirate gun and the trophy room.
I believe if it was Arnold and not Danny as the protagonist the movie would have completely different status right now. It keeps everything that made the original great (and expanded on it plus moving it into a new setting), it kept the violence, it kept the great score, it kept the practical effects, it kept a spectacular last act. It only changed lead actors and it backfired.

[SiL]

It added a layer of Verhoeven-esque satire, but without Verhoeven. There's no growth or development in the lead character. Nothing the lead character does gets him to the final conflict of the film, he just ... stumbles into it. There's no sense of urgency. It just keeps going until kind of suddenly it stops.

Saying it failed because no Arnold overlooks its myriad other flaws.

[Billiken]

Predator 2 is the only film I can watch over and over and still love it .

[BlueMarsalis79]

It is great fun.

[Master]

And has great world building value!

[BigDaddyJohn]

And has frontal nudity and a jamaican voodoo gang.

[judge death]

And has frontal nudity and a jamaican voodoo gang.

[OmegaZilla]

There's no growth or development in the lead character.

Eeehhhh

Time to rewatch the movie SiL

[BigDaddyJohn]

I mean, it's not untrue. Harrigan is a reckless badass cop at the start, and is a reckless badass cop at the end. He avenges his friend Danny, and his protege Jerry, and that's pretty much it.

[Kradan]

There's no growth or development in the lead character.

Eeehhhh

Time to rewatch the movie SiL

But what character development is there to Harrigan ? I'm 100% sincere here and SiL statement really caught me by surprise

And has frontal nudity and a jamaican voodoo gang.

Just like Citizen Kane

[SiL]

There's no growth or development in the lead character.

Eeehhhh

Time to rewatch the movie SiL

Sorry he overcomes his fear of heights to chase the Predator.

That's it.

[OmegaZilla]

There's no growth or development in the lead character.

Eeehhhh

Time to rewatch the movie SiL

Sorry he overcomes his fear of heights to chase the Predator.

That's it.

There's also the anti-mirroring with the Predator. There's a reason CH is so reckless