With Predators released in cinemas on July 8th, we thought it apt to look back at some fantastic Sci-Fi baddies which could rival Predators in their cunning and ruthlessness.
Predator was an instant iconic smash in 1987 - now it’s back and more ruthless than ever. The Predators are alien lifeforms who hunt other species, such as humans.
In the latest adventure, a band of misfit humans (convicts, mercenaries etc.) are placed on another planet which acts as a 'game reserve'.
The Humans must fight back or else fall prey to the predators.
Futuristic, inhuman, uncommon; all elements of some of the best Sci-Fi movies produced, here are the other Sci-Fi baddies that have left their mark on cinema history.
T-100 - The Terminator
A cyborg, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is sent from the future on a deadly mission: it has come to kill Sarah Connor, a young woman whose life will have a great significance in years to come. Sarah has only one protector - Kyle Reese - also sent from the future.
The Terminator was a massive success in 1984 and has had many sequels and spin-offs, including the most recent Terminator Salvation and the popular Terminator: The Sarach Connor Chronicles TV series - but the original had the biggest effect on movie-goers and created the memorable quote 'I'll be back', which is now synonymous with the film.
Nero - Star Trek
Captain James T. Kirk and others aboard the USS Enterprise are threatened by sci-fi baddie Nero in the latest Star Trek adventure. Nero is a rogue Romulan, hell-bent on revenge and will not stop until he settles his score with Spock, who he holds responsible for the destruction of his home planet.
Nero's ruthlessness knows no bounds and as he feels that he has nothing to lose, the survival of the entire universe is placed into danger.
Agent Smith - The Matrix
The Matrix villains are agents designed to control The Matrix, and in the later films as renegade programmes within the system that traps humans in an artificial reality.
The main agent is creepy Agent Smith (played by Hugo Weaving) who has the handy power of being able to multiply himself. The scene in which Neo battles hundreds of Agent Smiths has now become iconic within cinema.
Darth Vader - Star Wars series
Arguably the most iconic (and misunderstood) Sci-fi baddie in history, Darth Vader epitomises evil with his vice grip over the universe. The Star Wars franchise is wildly successful, with 6 feature films, countless spin-offs and a legion of dedicated fans.
His terrifying presence and merciless nature make for compulsive viewing, with the story of Darth Vadar’s fall to the Dark Side spanning the entire six episodes.
Colonel Quaritch - Avatar
While Avatar is a recent release, The Colonel is a great contender in the Sci-fi baddie category. Quaritch is a Colonel who teaches new recruits on the planet Pandora, and has no regard whatsoever for the local Na'vi people.
Quaritch is the one that tries to destroy the sacred ‘home tree’ and then leads the attempted destruction of the Tree of Souls, killing many Na'vi in the process, solidifying the character as a cult movie villain.
Megatron - Transformers series
In the two feature film translations of the beloved animated series, the villains remain as the Decepticons, an evil group of Transformers trying to take over Earth.
The only force in the way of success is the heroic band of Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, who feel it is their duty to stop the Decpticons and help the humankind.
Megatron is a the leader of the Decepticons, and a heartless villain, endlessly trying to take Earth for his own, with no regard for the lives of humans and fellow Transformers.
Magneto - X-men series
Magneto is one of the most iconic movie villains, embodying the phrase ‘Sympathy for the devil’. As a young boy, Erik Lehnsherr was captured and placed in Nazi-controlled concentration camp, where his latent mutant powers were discovered.
As the name suggests, Magneto can manipulate metal in all forms, and as one of the most powerful villains poses a threat to the whole universe.
Once upon a time, Magneto was an ally of Charles Xavier, leader of the X-Men. However, Magneto’s thirst for vengeance against the humans that once caused him so much pain proved too much, and created a barrier between himself and Professor X that would last forever.
predators is released 8th July
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