Death, taxes and modern entries into beloved franchises are the guarantees of life, especially considering Hollywood’s tendencies nowadays.
“Predator: Badlands” is the most recent entry into the lauded horror franchise, and it brings me much joy to say it is a fantastic entry to the franchise, not a soulless cash grab.
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, “Predator: Badlands” centers around the Yautja (species name of the titular predator) Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who reluctantly teams up with Thia (played by Elle Fanning)—an android created by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation—as he embarks on a hunt to prove himself worthy of his clan.
At multiple points I found myself pleasantly surprised regarding the story progression. Several scenes are genuinely clever in how they retool earlier plot elements to make riveting action scenes.
Dek, despite the nature of his hunt, fights with ease and strategic dominance. Combined with solid camerawork, the fight choreography strikes me as not only good enough to stand up to rewatches, but also as the reason you revisit.
While “Predator: Badlands” is generally strong, there are moments where the action skews towards feeling like a bland action movie. It certainly has moments where you remember that it’s a part of a major action series, but they’re few enough that you don’t find yourself bored.
The exploration of the Yautja that “Predator: Badlands” offers simultaneously helps the viewer to better grasp the intricacies of a culture that centers around hunting while keeping the Yautja alluring and firmly alien to humans.
The Weyland-Yutani Corporation, from the “Alien” franchise, marks the reintegration of the two franchises, previously crossing over in the “Alien vs. Predator” films. Trachtenberg manages to tactfully incorporate this bit of the Alien franchise, making it feel like a legitimate part of the world and not merely something for fans to gawk at.
The film’s ability to have Dek open up from the self-reliant, solitary nature of Yautja culture, while remaining untrusting towards others in his hunting attitude, stood out as my favorite part of the movie.
“Predator: Badlands” is Trachtenberg’s third entry into the “Predator” franchise with “Prey” and “Predator: Killer of Killers,” his previous two, both well-lauded entries. Considering the ending of “Predator: Badlands” I think it is safe to say that Trachtenberg will be back with a fourth, which I eagerly anticipate.
Whether you’re a long-standing fan of the franchise or you’re looking for a solid sci-fi action horror movie to take your mind off the chaos of your November studies, “Predator: Badlands” certainly has the capability to delight.
