A Hunt To Remember (Prey review)

Has anyone not given up on the Predator franchise at this point? As someone who grew up with the Alien vs Predator movies, I only ever rooted for the ever-populating Xenomorphs as opposed to the Yautja. I was only introduced to their respective franchises in high school and they could not be more different but that's a story for another article hopefully. However, the Predator franchise has only gone downhill with audiences who still find the Arnold Schwarzenegger-led original film superior. Unfortunately, I didn't feel the same way after only recently watching it. (Yes, boomers. Come at me). With Prey, I think it's time we reconsidered the ranking. 

Originally called Skull and was never given the impression that this was a part of the franchise, Prey is a very different Predator movie. It is a prequel to the previous 4 films... and yes, ALL of those films are still canon. Like its predecessors, the Predator is the villain and a human must face it, once again letting us ponder who is the actual predator or, in this case, the prey. Unlike its predecessors, Prey takes place in 1719, centered around a young Native-American woman who aspires to be a hunter like her brother. In an attempt to prove herself, Naru encounters the first Predator that comes to Earth that threatens her tribe and the food chain of her home. 

The Cloverfield Paradox director Dan Trachtenberg offers what might be the most visually stunning Predator movie to date as it is filmed on location. It also offers the most compelling lead character, possibly making it easier to root for the human instead of the Predator for the first time. Amber Midthunder's Naru is a relatable character. She fails, improves, and aims to impress, showing us that character development does exist in this franchise. Instead of men being too lenient with the number of bullets they're wasting, Naru's plans to take down the Predator are calculated, planned, and executed in the most satisfying ways possible. With each time you see her encounter the Predator, she learns. 

This is also the most exciting Predator ever introduced onscreen. Like the humans it is hunting this time around, it seems the Yautja were once primitive with the technology it's handling in this movie. We have learned quite a number of things about these creatures over the years but we are only left with more questions than concrete answers. Prey changes that as it subtly provides an answer to a long-standing mystery, reminding you once again, that this franchise still cares about itself as opposed to most franchises that make reboots that completely retcon what came before. 

What I would like to emphasize is how the Predator franchise has always overestimated its ability to utilize the mature rating. Any movie in the franchise is annoyingly filled with promiscuous jokes, unnecessary profanity, and overkills, the writers always proving what can be achieved with such a rating. Prey uses its rating only when it's needed which makes it more effective for the story being told as well as the viewer watching it. 

I am brave enough to say that this is my favorite Predator movie and it is honestly the best movie in the franchise. I can also be sure to say that fans will also agree with me and there is a possibility that this film could bring in a new generation of fans to the franchise. It is very rare to see a prequel save itself canonicity like this and to know that the Predator is back in the best way possible in this hunt to remember. 

PREY is now streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar in Malaysia.