SET in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, ‘Predator’ origin story ‘Prey’ tells the tale of Naru, a young woman who proves to be a fierce and highly skilled fighter, much to the chagrin of the tribe’s male warriors.
The newest entry in the ‘Predator’ franchise (now on Disney+) is arguably the very finest in the series. By going back in time, director Dan Trachtenberg has taken a big risk, one that pays off nicely as he breathes new life and more ferocity into one film than all the others combined.
‘Prey’ follows Naru, a young woman who has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters to roam the Great Plains.
When danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries.
Filmed primarily in the stunning landscapes of the ancestral lands of the Stoney Nakoda Nation near Calgary in Alberta, Canada, Trachtenberg’s film is far better crafted and more cinematic in scope than your average action-adventure.
’Prey’ is a beautiful and evocative movie with all the conviction needed to break away from the rather schlocky original films and pulls off a visceral and stylish reimagining that proves as tense as it does entertaining.
Leading lady Amber Midthunder, who takes on the role of Naru, is a powerful presence on screen and a formidable foe for the iconic alien creature at the heart of this franchise.
Violent and crowd-pleasing as a kick-ass extraterrestrial romp, it is also visually breathtaking and feels more like ‘The Revenant’ than a ‘Predator’ movie.
This one really sinks its claws into you and definitely deserves a sequel all of its own.
(4/5)
