Prey takes the Predator back to basics and delivers one of the best films in the franchise since the original.
A skilled Comanche warrior (Amber Midthunder) protects her tribe from a highly evolved alien predator that hunts humans for sport, fighting against the wilderness, dangerous colonizers, and this mysterious creature to keep her people safe.
The Predator is officially back and die-hard fans are in for a real treat. Prey does an excellent job at capturing all of the best elements of the original film and creates their own version of the Predator while also telling a coming-of-age story set 300 years from the original movie. This prequel/sequel sets a new benchmark for the franchise.
The Predator itself is as powerful and scary as ever before, but also more believable as it doesn’t go straight into using all its high-tech gadgets. The Predator is portrayed at a gradual pace which helps develop the depth of the alien without it having to speak or really rely on its lethal weapons.
Prey’s distinct setting is just one of the ways the film brings the series back to some of its original ideas. Audiences are taken back to a completely natural setting and back to exploring humanity with no advanced weaponry. Themes of literal predator vs prey dynamics are made pretty clear with shots dedicated to seeing an ant getting eaten by a mouse, who is then eaten by a snake and etc.
What I think sets Prey apart from the previous films is that Director Dan Trachtenberg does an incredible job helping the film. The tension is built up in such an amazing way, the action is heart-pounding, and every shot looks gorgeous. The film has some of the best scenery in the franchise. Honestly, Prey could be just as strong as a pure silent film as its visual-driven storytelling is brilliant.
Overall, Prey is a breath of fresh air in the current wave of movie franchises and never lets up. It has all of the franchise’s trademark tension and violence, but its the fierce, star-making performance from Amber Midthunder that gives the film its greatest strength. Midthunder embodies her character’s spirit to perfection and shines during the fight sequences. Prey is the first sequel/prequel that deserves a rewatch.
Prey is now streaming only on Hulu.
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