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When Aliens Invade: 8 Great Invasion Movies

The alien invasion scenario is a common one in cinema – and for good reason. If movies are a mirror, reflecting social anxieties and regrets, then the alien invasion trope is one of the most adaptable allegories imaginable. For decades, filmmakers have used it to discuss military policies, fear of technology and concern over environmental abuses. Our scientific progress as a species, in conflict with the moral progress of our conscience, and our natural fear of change, are all to be found in the alien invasion movie. There are three main types of cinematic alien invasion – each serving a different purpose – although variations and combinations do occasionally appear. These are Occupation, Infiltration and Raid.

Predator (1987)

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In what is now widely regarded as a classic entry in the sci-fi action genre, directed by John McTiernan from a screenplay by Jim and John Thomas, Predator sees Arnold Scwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke and Kevin Peter Hall face an alien invasion of technologically advanced, battle-ready creatures from an unknown origin. As an elite special forces team, tasked with rescuing hostages from a heavily forested area of Central America, they are picked off one-by-one by the superior hunter, the Predator.

Unbeknownst to The Governator and his crew, they are essentially being used as stock in a giant game park. This is the greatest impact of Predator – the alien is not here to brutally occupy, helpfully intervene or teach us about the evils of violence and environmental abuses. The alien is mounting a raid purely for the pleasure of hunting.

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