I'm not super invested in the Predator franchise (the Alien franchise is often far better...because they're now permanently interlinked).
However, I think the creature itself is dope as hell, a perfect example of iconic design that has stood the test of time and (still to this day) features incredible powers like cloaking, ability to heal, tracking arrows, etc. Much like the Alien creature, a Predator creature was something that was the height of 80s design awesomeness.
But, the films themselves I'm less familiar with. I don't think I've ever seen the first all the way through on TV and many others are probably bits and pieces too except for the remakes that have occurred since I've started Rath's Reviews.
That's a long ass preface for a straight-to-streaming (Hulu) film, but it helps set the stage as to why - despite really enjoying Prey - I don't think I was as over-the-moon about it as others because this franchise means very little to me. Luckily, Prey doesn't really need you to be a fan (or familiar) with the franchise given it's a prequel that could have honestly been oriented off any creature to an extent. Much like director Dan Trachtenberg's 10 Cloverfield Lane, this is a story that happens in the contained universe without necessarily pushing said universe forward. That's more than ok because it allows the film's premise to be highly focused on survival.
Therein lies Prey at it's core: when it's about Amber Midthunder's Naru versus/escaping from the Predator, it's often fantastic. When it's about anything else, it's fairly forgettable. The latter is where I'll briefly touch on as it felt like truly one of the few things I could cite I didn't like about Prey. And it's less I didn't "like" Naru's quest to become a warrior within her tribe, it's more that it felt generic and - in hindsight - not all that important to the story. Sure, it explains why she's a badass, but once the Predator crashes onto earth, the tribe's politics are a forgotten second thought.
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| Retractable shield FTW |
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| If you're wondering where you've seen Midthunder from before (it was driving me crazy), she was in FX's Legion |
All this violence and suspense is incredibly well shot and edited, with some stunning on-location visuals to accompany it all. It's fast, brutal, and gory - just as fans of the franchise would want - and it doesn't skimp on the body count either. It's clear the special effects budget was reserved for anything having to do with the Predator himself as all other times its included (often with forest animals), it's shockingly bad.
I'll be curious to see if they build of Prey in any way because it leaves the door open for sequels, but could also be a one and done film if it wanted to be. Either way, it's a bit shocking that consensus among the franchise lovers is that this back-to-basics sequel is near the top (or #1) of the franchise in terms of quality. And I mean that definitely as less a knock on the film - it's a great time - and more on the franchise itself.
CONS
- Felt like it takes a little while to get going
- And the tribe politics/Naru's quest are somewhat uninteresting
- Pretty bad CGI on any animal other than the Predator
- Not that I'm into the lore, but this didn't feel like it expanded upon it all that much
- Original score is just there
PROS
- Amber Midthunder kicks ass as Naru here. She's a captivating central character, both smart and physically talented
- Good, sometimes great cinematography with real landscapes
- Well-filmed violence and action sequences. The film doesn't pull its punches...very R-rated
- The doggo is a good boy!
- Unique setting and premise, with back-to-basics survival makes this a compelling narrative
- Predator is still frightening and the CGI budget went into him for sure
- Entertaining, short and sweet!
Rath's Review Score | 7.5/10
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