prey review
It took just twenty or so minutes of watching Prey to realize the Predator franchise is back. After years and months of cautious optimism, fans can exhale. Prey, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, is the best film in the franchise since Predator 2 with Nimrod Antal’s Predators now occupying a distant fourth place. Trachtenberg demonstrates a jaw-dropping understanding of what made the original Predator connect with audiences and presents an abundance of evidence that he was the correct choice to take over after the unbelievably awful The Predator (2018).
Like most any antagonist, the predator is only as interesting as its foe is compelling/relatable. Trachtenberg gets this. The Aliens versus Predator films are mind-numbingly boring and sterile because the humans are utterly interchangeable. The predators in those films never stood a chance. Trachtenberg reinvigorates the moribund franchise by going back to a time (the 1700’s) where seeing a predator felt special – both for the characters within the film and for us as franchise fans. He accomplishes this while adding several easter eggs, some more overt than others, that tie Prey inexorably back to the first two films – the best in the franchise. While the predator in this film feels very much like the pop culture stalwart we’ve come to love and respect, its arsenal, movements and approach feel entirely unique. This Yautja is feral, fit, unflinching and less reliant on ranged weapons. He’s not the first predator to sustain grievous battle injuries but might be the first to fight through them without finding a quiet place to patch up. A true jungle hunter.
Amber Midthunder, a veteran performer with acting and writing credits spanning back to 2001, cements herself as a final girl of note. Her performance stands up to that of Schwarzenegger and Danny Glover. Fans who grew up on Predator and Predator 2 know this is the highest praise. The screenplay sidesteps the “mary sue” trope by establishing Midthunder’s tenuous standing within her own tribe and foreshadowing the skills that ultimately allow her to take down her fearsome adversary. A lean 90 minutes, Prey doesn’t take long to get going and once the feral predator shows up it turns into a thrilling adventure that feels like a predator film ought to feel. Finally. Mr. Trachtenberg, we salute you. Fingers crossed he returns for the unannounced sequel. Give Prey 2 a proper theatrical release.