Film Review: 'Predator: Badlands' Blends Action, Emotion, and Stunning Visuals in a Must-See Sci-Fi Adventure
Director Dan Trachtenberg is on a roll. Predator: Badlands, his third film in the franchise after Prey and the animated anthology Predator: Killer of Killers, will kick your ass and break a cinematic foot doing it. Trachtenberg delves deeper into Yautja (the Predator species) lore while simultaneously breaking new ground with a markedly different perspective. He introduces an earnest protagonist that isn't an unstoppable alien, but an undersized "runt" who must prove his warrior ethos or pay a fatal price. Along the way, he finds an unlikely ally that tests the merciless and savage dogma that rules his fierce culture. Predator: Badlands continues an intriguing narrative evolution and ups the action ante with banner visual effects.
Initially set on the bleak Yautja homeworld, the noticeably smaller Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) challenges his behemoth older brother Kwei (Mike Homik) in a ritual battle to prepare him for his first hunt. Dek is a scrappy fighter, but hasn't earned his "cloak" or Kwei's advanced weaponry. He's humbled when another arrives with a dire message. Dek isn't worthy of being a Yautja. The perceived weak are traditionally culled as useless. Dek boldly proclaims that he will travel to Genna (aka the death planet) and kill the fearsome Kalisk as proof that he's a worthy Yautja.
But Dek's journey to Genna gets off to a rocky start when his ship crashes through the atmosphere. He underestimates the deadly local wildlife and fauna, who are vicious and unrelenting in their attacks. A fateful encounter with the upper torso of a damaged Weyland-Yutani synth changes his fortune. The trapped Thia (Elle Fanning) offers a compromise. Help her get back to the Weyland-Yutani base, and she will lead him to the Kalisk in return.
Dek speaks the Yautja language the entire time. Thia's cyborg abilities allow her to communicate with him through a universal translator. Trachtenberg scores his first win by bringing a primary element from the Alien franchise into the story. The Weyland-Yutani corporation scours the galaxy for creatures to weaponize. It makes sense synths would be sent to Genna to capture the Kalisk, which does not disappoint as an unstoppable beast. Dek, who at first echoes the Yautja dogma of always hunting alone, comes to see the value of a "tool" like Thia. At first, she's no different from a blade, something he'd use to conquer a hostile environment. Their relationship grows in mutually beneficial ways as two outcasts find common ground in a death trap.
New Zealand actor Schuster-Koloamatangi is superb in a physically daunting and surprisingly complex role. He carries emotional heft through his eyes. Dek, a source of scorn and embarrassment to his clan, is capable of rational thought. He accepts Thia's advice and instantly sees her benefit. Schuster-Koloamatangi goes from all brawn and bravado to an effective team leader. This in turn endears him to the cheery Thia as she learns about his past and the horrible treatment he's faced. But she's also on a mission with a formidable counterpart that doesn't share her compassionate sensibilities.
Fanning pulls double duty as the antagonist synth leader Tessa. She's the same model as Thia but, ironically, shares the cutthroat methodology of the Yautja. Thia's separation from Tessa forced her to observe Genna dispassionately. She gains an appreciation of the planet's homeostasis. She's no longer a synth dedicated to exploiting resources for Weyland-Yutani profit, which inevitably leads to a clash of "sisters" and a stark choice. Where does Thia's loyalty lie when finally confronting the Kalisk? Fanning continues to impress with her remarkable range in two disparate performances.
Predator: Badlands works as an action-packed monster flick. You can set aside the great story and enjoy the film for its incredible visuals. Genna is cut from the Pandora cloth with bizarre critters and plants blending beauty with ferocious survival. Then there's the Weyland-Yutani synths who are armed to their cyborg teeth. But everything pales in comparison to the Kalisk. Jaws will scrape the floor when you see its astonishing capabilities. There's a reason why the Kalisk is an apex predator that slaughters anyone who tries to capture or kill it.
Trachtenberg gets top marks for not being completely predictable. The story has a few twists and turns that lead to a fascinating conclusion. Trachtenberg has no interest in retreading stale Predator and Alien plots. He ventures into uncharted charity by taking known commodities on a different path. Dek and Thia are nothing like their previous iterations. Their pairing opens new and exciting possibilities with the right director charting the course.
Predator: Badlands is a production of Lawrence Gordon Productions, Davis Entertainment, and Toberoff Entertainment. It will be released theatrically on November 7th from 20th Century Studios.
