Finally, a film about the classic cult hit “Predator” is worthy of the 1987 original. Sequels have been a source of contention for many including myself. Chatter on the interweb about this new prequel titled Prey enthusiastically pointed out the straight-to-streamer film was better than expected. With a cast of various unseasoned performers, the fact that Prey was definitely worth watching was a nice surprise.
The title isn’t perfect. But there are few films that are. Prey is a valiant attempt to bring the franchise back to its roots. Amongst complaints from fans are the usual comparisons steeped in toxic masculinity that deplore a female being able to hold her own. One reviewer commented on the IMBD.com site that Dutch’s character could have learned a lot from Naru. The two aren’t really comparable though, not by the standards being measured by some. The thing is, that there are plenty of reasons why this Predator isn’t the same as the one in the next film. As an alien species, much has been theorized about the motives behind this race of killers. My favorite is that Earth is but a practice ground for Predators that don’t cut the mustard back at home.
Is Prey Better Than Predator?
If Prey is the prequel to the 1987 blockbuster Predator, this feral hunter was just testing the waters. He could very well have been the first to touch down. Maybe he was an outcast sent to check out the lush planet Earth. He tests out his boundaries by killing snakes and bears and taking a look around. There is plenty of evidence to suggest this example of extraterrestrial intelligence wasn’t as prepared as the ones we see in the next film. He doesn’t have the weaponry, hosts a more simple camouflage, is missing his self-destruct mechanism and his face mask doesn’t cover much of his head. Not to mention, that he also bleeds a fair bit and you might surmise that Arnie fought a trophy hunter much further up the food chain.
I really liked that there is a connection between the character arc for Naru and the Predator. Even if it’s only a theory, I would like to think that they both have something to prove to their people. As for the storyline, unsurprisingly audiences had their complaints here too. Some may have even had some valid points (for example not warning her people about the bear traps.) Overall, most of the character’s actions made sense to me. In relation to the Comanche language, filmmakers have gone ahead and released a version with Comanche subtitles as well as one dubbed with the Comanche language.
Lastly, the cinematography was excellent, I was even a little disappointed that this Prey movie didn’t hit cinemas as the title would have been great on the big screen.
The Cast of Prey
Amber Midhunter (Only Mine), Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro, Stormee Kipp, and Michelle Thrush.
- Directed by Dan Trachtenberg
- Written by Patrick Aison and Dan Trachtenberg.
“If it bleeds… we can kill it.”
Quote from Predator character Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
The Prey movie is rated
4 “glow stick” & K-Y jelly blood out of 5
Want to know more about the Dog in Prey?
The dog was also a star of the Prey movie. According to a few articles on the net, the dog’s name is Coco, and had never starred in a feature film before.
IMBD.com ratings for the Predator Franchise
- Predator 1987 is rated 7.8/10
- Predator 2 1990 is rated 6.3/10
- Aliens vs Predator – Requiem 2007 is rated 4.6/10
- Alien vs. Predator 2004 is rated 5.6/10
- Predators 2010 is rated 6.4/10
- The Predator 2018 is rated 5.3/10
- Prey 2022 is rated 7.2/10
