Best Predator Movie? - PREY Review

Review of Prey

Gavin opens with a joke about gearing up for another hyper-macho Predator movie, then reveals that Prey is a very different kind of entry. Though initially skeptical, he comes away calling it possibly the best Predator film yet.

The Predator Franchise

Gavin looks back at the franchise: the 1987 original remains iconic, Predator 2 is a “dumb good-bad movie,” and the later sequels and Alien vs. Predator films have had mixed results.

Against that history, he praises Prey for moving the action 300 years into the past and centering Naru, a Comanche woman determined to prove she can be a hunter, not just a healer. He applauds Amber Midthunder’s performance, Naru’s supportive bond with her brother Taabe, and the film’s use of Native American actors. He also jokes that Naru’s rope-and-tomahawk technique makes her “Scorpion from Mortal Kombat.”

Suspense, Action, and Visuals

Gavin likes that the Predator stays partly hidden early on, building suspense before it strikes. One standout moment comes when it kills a bear and becomes visible through the blood covering its camouflage.

He dismisses complaints about the CGI as something he personally didn’t notice, while quipping that he isn’t a visual-effects expert unless the effects look like the “half Rock, half scorpion” Scorpion King. He also likes the Predator’s more primal design and era-appropriate weapons, including its retractable net.

The human threat is not limited to the Predator. Gavin points to French colonizers slaughtering buffalo for their hides as a chilling reminder of the dangers facing the Comanche. He also praises Naru’s resourcefulness and fighting, Taabe’s role in the action, and the fact that Naru’s dog survives—good news for viewers worried about animals getting hurt.

Gavin’s Overall Assessment

Gavin argues that Prey is better made than the original, with a richer story, stronger character development, and more to say about family, identity, and colonialism. He stresses that this does not diminish the 1987 film, which he still enjoys as a familiar, easy-to-rewatch action movie.

He angrily pushes back against claims that Prey is “woke” simply because its lead is a woman and Native American, while acknowledging that viewers may dislike the film for other legitimate reasons. He ends by wishing it had received a theatrical release, since he thinks its scale and fights would look great on the big screen.

Personalities Featured or Discussed

• Gavin (reviewer)
• Amber Midthunder (Naru)
• Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny Glover, and Adrian Brody (mentioned in comparisons to earlier films)