Watch Prey on Hulu
Written by: Patrick Aison, Patrick Aison & Dan Trachtenberg (story by), Jim Thomas & John Thomas (based on characters by)
Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg
Starring: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
The origin story of the Predator in the world of the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, skilled female warrior Naru fights to protect her tribe against one of the first highly-evolved Predators to land on Earth.
Verdict
While it includes the Predator, this doesn't coast on the Predator name. This is a great sequel that focuses on the core of what made the original popular. It doesn't add more characters, explosions, and fights, this focuses on predator and prey. Instead of excess, this movie focuses on quality. It's brutal, certainly, but well done. This is a sequel that's potentially better than the first. Rarely does a franchise get revived with such a great new entry.
Watch It.
Review
This is a movie that I had to wonder if it was cashing in on the franchise name. The last movie, The Predator, was decent filler. I like the setting, taking this back to a more primitive time, but how can you defeat the Predator with a bow and arrow? If nothing else, the name is certainly a clever idea.
This quickly establishes setting and character. Naru (Amber Midthunder) is obviously skilled, but I wish the other characters would acknowledge that. It appears they discount her just so she has something to overcome and to prove herself in this movie. Then again, that's typical for women.
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| Amber Midthunder plays Naru |
The mood is great. We anticipate the appearance of the Predator as Naru and her tribe hunt a lion. While they find unique tracks, Naru is the only one that thinks something odd is out there. She ventures out to find the creature and prove herself. Midthunder does such a great job in the role. Sure the story and directing help, but I believe she is that character and that's her.
This movie is brutal. Often sequels attempt to outdo their predecessor with bigger fights, more action, and more visuals. The Predator franchise has long been irrelevant, but this movie excels because it takes a step back to focus on what made the original appealing. This is about a hunt. Naru is tracking a creature we know she can't defeat.
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| Amber Midthunder plays Naru |
The Predator wants to fight the strongest foe, but I wonder about his code. We see him fight animals hand to hand, but with men he pulls out slick toys that are instant killers. It doesn't take much skill to shoot homing arrows at people. I wondered when uses weapons and when he doesn't. It seems that he only uses weapons to match what his prey is using. That's an issue with his advanced weapons when men are using flintlock pistols.
The pacing of this movie is quick; it flies by. The penultimate fight is great, and Naru earns that victory. It's been a long time since I've seen the original, but this has got to be in the discussion for sequels that have topped the original. On my distant memory alone, I'd say this certainly surpasses the original. Even as a soft reboot this is a stand out. I expected little from what I thought would be a franchise cash grab. What I got was an excellent movie in its own right.
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