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