This Predator is prey to no one!
Dan Trachtenburg's 3rd Predator Film Is A Box Office Success
"Predator: Badlands" is Dan Trachtenberg's ("Prey") third "Predator" film after resurrecting the franchise with 2022's "Prey" film that debuted on Hulu.
After both "Prey" and "Killer Of Killers" were streaming successes, Disney green-lit Trachtenburg's third film, which broke "Predator" box office records as the film to make the most money at the box office for a film in this series.
The film centers around a runt Predator named Dek, played by Dimitrius Koloamatangi ("Jonah"). He is tasked with going to the most dangerous planet in the universe and killing an unkillable animal. He needs to prove himself to his tribe that he is not a disgrace and is worthy of the throne he is in line for.
Danger lurks around every corner for Dek, including a team of Weyland-Yutani androids pursuing the same creature as Dek, as the creature may hold the key to humanity's salvation.
My expectations were through the roof for this film, as I loved watching the "Predator" franchise with my brother, and Dan Trachtenberg was two for two for good Predator films. Coming out, I can guarantee that he has indeed done it again and knocked this movie out of the park!
Koloamatangi is fantastic as Dek. He makes a vicious, frightening creature a sympathetic badass like Din Djarin from "The Mandalorian". He's funny, daring, and will have you by your heartstrings by the end of the film.
Ella Fanning ("Maleficent") plays a malfunctioning synthetic named Thia who is stranded on the planet looking for her sister. She is super charming and brings a lot of good humor to the film. Sometimes the humor is too much, but it never oversteps its bounds.
Fanning also plays the villain Tessa, who is the sister of Thia. She's on the hunt for Dek's prize. She is ruthless and puts on a chilling performance. Fanning deserves an Oscar for playing two completely different roles in the same movie. The effect of getting them to share the same screen was really well done.
All the action is thrilling and exciting. I loved every bit of this movie. All the creatures and aliens are interesting and unique. The CGI is breathtaking and makes you feel fully immersed in the "Predator" world. The soundtrack was awesome as well. Every scene felt elevated by the pulse-pounding music blaring through the theater speakers. "Tron" has got some competition in terms of kick ass music.
Overall, this is a great movie to go to with friends. It is the perfect film to get people interested in the franchise again and succeeds in pleasing old and new fans alike. "Predator" comic readers will have a blast with this movie! I'd give "Predator: Badlands" a solid 10/10.
Carter Salley is Central Michigan Life's resident film reviewer and co-host of the pop culture podcast "Raving Geeks." He is majoring in media arts.
