Prey (2022)

"Prey" is without doubt the best entry in the long-running "Predator" saga since the classic 80's original. Which makes it all the more a shame that it's also the only one to skip theaters. The fact that unadulterated trash like "Aliens vs Predator: Requiem" and miscalculated misfires like "The Predator" got major theatrical pushes, while this genuine, well-made thriller got dumped onto streaming is a borderline crime.

Set three-hundred years in the past, "Prey" follows Naru (played in a star-making role by the magnificent Amber Midthunder), a Comanche healer who wants to become a hunter like her brother Taabe. (Dakota Beavers) However, these dreams will be put to the ultimate test when she finds her tribe face-to-face with an inhuman menace... a creature from beyond the stars... a predator. (Dane DiLiegro)

Before I get onto the review proper, I have to comment on something that drives me nuts, and is indeed haunting some of the rhetoric surrounding this film. That being the incessant desire certain individuals have to try and "cry woke" at every film that features anything other than exclusively cis, white, male characters. Guys... female characters are not a new thing. Non-white characters are not a new thing. LGBT+ characters are not a new thing. Sure, sometimes these things are done in a clumsy, token way, and in those cases it's fine to call it out as a weakness. But it's getting to the point that there mere implied presence of a female, black, gay, etc. character is suddenly seen as an inherently negative thing for these people. And I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous and more than a little bigoted. If the literal first thought you have upon seeing a woman is "this is leftist, woke propaganda " then maybe the movie isn't the problem. Maybe... just maybe... the problem is you. (Gasp!)

Back to the review...

Written and directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who also helmed the excellent "10 Cloverfield Lane," "Prey" is incredibly refreshing within this franchise thanks to its inherent simplicity, startling new setting and the excellent handling of the material. I really found the straight-forward nature of the plot to be a huge benefit to the movie. Part of the reason the original film worked so well is that it was essentially a classic man-against-beast story at its core (despite some deviations along the path), and this film functions much in the same way. Unlike some of the other, lesser sequels, there isn't a lot of needless padding and mumbo-jumbo to bog the film down. It's clear and concise, and puts almost all of its focus on the characters and the central conflict.

I also really adored the film's use of setting. The fact it mostly takes place in the Great Plains and in the distant past creates instant opportunities for complimenting and contrasting with the original. It also subconsciously aids in the sense of dread, because we know the characters are going to be limited by their lack of modern technology. This also leads to some of the film's more clever - and at times hilarious - moments. A scene involving the re-loading of old-fashioned muskets in particular drew huge laughs in my house. And to credit the film, there actually is an effort made to show that the predator is also a little less advanced at this point in time, which I enjoyed.

And just in general, I can't say enough about the film's general execution. The performances are uniformly phenomenal, but Midthunder is the biggest revelation to come from movie. While she has had something of a successful career in television, and a smattering of film roles, I can see this movie opening big doors for her. She knocks it out of the park, and is incredibly likeable and determined. The handling of theme and character is also expertly done, with our leads all getting a complete arc throughout. And in terms of direction? This is a very slick, stylish film with some interesting choices in shots, a solid sense of pace, and typically stellar visual storytelling. The only place the film fell a little flat for me was the CGI - specifically the CGI used for animals. The animation was typically decent... but they had that weird, uncanny artificial look that you sometimes get. (I think it was mostly the fur. Fur is one of those things that never really looks right digitally.)

I really can't say enough to this film's credit. It's not only indisputably the best "Predator" movie since the original. But it has re-invigorated my interest in the series after the last few films effectively killed it. Here's to hoping Trachtenberg sticks with the series and gives us a proper sequel! I'm giving "Prey" a 4.5 out of 5. (Rounding up to 5 for MovieMistakes).

TedStixon

I watched this movie on Hulu.

Prey is a very well done movie that has its flaws, some of which rooted unfortunately in modern political hangups.

It is definitely a breath of fresh air after the abysmal outing that was The Predator (2018). But still doesn't quite live up to the original Predator (1987) or Predators (2010), it is at least on part with Predator 2 though still better than that in several ways.

This takes us back in time to the old Native Americans where we follow a small tribe that has sent out a hunting parting, who have a run in with a more primitive Predator and become the hunted.

The lead protagonist, Naru, is a fairly likable girl set out on wanting to prove herself as a hunter.
The issue though is this movie suffers from the same problems as Captain Marvel, but thankfully to a much lesser degree. There is no real character growth for Naru and they show us she is this bad ass capable hunter and healer from the get go. But like in Captain Marvel, it's "men" holding her back. She is shown being a better hunter than her brother right off, telling him what he does wrong in the hunts and all that. And the entire time its all about her trying to prove to the boys that she's just as good as them and that they are just holding her back or not believing in her because she's a woman.
The level of skill she's already shown and demonstrated would have had her have respect already in most cases. Granted this is the old Native American times so them still having that mind set is a bit believable, however it is still leaned in to to much.
The modern girl boss where its not about her journey to become better, grow, and be the hero... its about man is holding her back and they just dont recognize her for already being the bad ass she is and people just don't see it because "woman!".
There is no real arc she goes on and she figures out and learns things so far and sets up traps in such unbelievable ways it would make Arnie blush.

The ending how she defeats the Predator is the most egregious of this, to I already have listed as a mistake for it on this site. It is a most out of left field girl boss moment done in an unbelievable way just so they could give her that moment. When all it would have taken is her to defeat the Predator in a realistic but cool way to have a much more satisfying ending if she had earned it better. Not see that the dart followed the laser pointer (which she should not understand what is in the first place) one time and then use that in the end. Or see the Predator not see the injured guy right away because of medicine she gave him that cooled his body temperature and instantly deduce somehow the Predator only sees heat.
There are many contrived moments like that.

There were great moments in the movie also, and the one point where one of the other hunters, won't spoil who, sacrifices himself in a heroic moment and has his own redemption was very well done. And her reaction and further motivation from this was also great.

But it just goes to show, with a good writer and team, even a flawed movie like this can still be so enjoyable to watch and root for the hero. Even if her journey and victory did not feel earned.

On that note, as a Cherokee myself, it was fun seeing more of older tribes like the Comanche going up against a sci fi threat like the Predator in this movie.
Also the way they labeled the French hunting party scene in the movie was at least handled tastefully and not made them over the top "white man bad!" stereotype. That plot point could have been very badly handled and in your face but it was very well done and seemed to stick to historical context.

So over all, not an amazing movie but a big improvement over the 2018 trash fire.

Mistake Status: I am considering doing the entire Predator franchise at some point, so will of course revisit this if I do. For now just caught a few things on my first watch.

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