Predator: Killer of Killers Review: Action-Packed, Lore-Building Entertainment
Stick around for Predator: Killer of Killers, the latest movie in the long-running Predator series.
It’s crazy to think about how far this series has come. What began in the 1980s as an Arnold Schwarzenegger action vehicle directed by John McTiernan a year before he would go on to direct Die Hard has blossomed into an iconic franchise combining sci-fi, action, and horror. Dan Trachtenberg helmed the most recent installment in the series, Prey, which saw critical acclaim as it placed this iconic movie villain against a Native American tribe in 1719. Now, we have an animated anthology film premiering on Hulu.
Predator: Killer of Killers will blow you away. This movie exceeds every expectation you could have about this series, which has been consistently solid. This is the best Predator movie in decades; it’s an action-packed movie that allows you a new perspective. Trachtenberg returns to co-direct this new Predator movie alongside Joshua Wassung. We’ve seen the predator in many environments, from the jungle to the city to other planets. Trachtenberg and co-writer Micho Robert Rutare understood that to keep this franchise fresh, we have to see the predator in new environments and times.
This movie doesn’t just have one new environment; it has three. First, we see a predator take on a Viking raider. Then, a ninja in feudal Japan. And finally, a World War II pilot. That is about as incredible as it sounds; it gives you a perspective on how all these different people from different places and times would take on the same opponent. What resources would they use? How could they take down the perfect killing machine? Predator: Killer of Killers gives you the answer, and it’s marvelous to see it all go down, one brutal set piece after another.
This film gives Predator fans what they’ve been hoping for for years. Don’t discount this movie because it’s the first animated film in the Predator franchise. This movie is as bloody and brutal as the rest. Honestly, this movie may be even more brutal than the others. Trachtenberg feels quite unrestrained as he approaches all of these different warriors and the way they approach fighting the Predator. We have beheadings galore in this potent, violent action film that pulls no punches. This movie is a masterclass of action animation.
That animation can feel a bit jarring at first. We’re not getting very fluid motions here; the film is animated on twos, leading to a style that’s a bit more jerky, since we’re only getting 12 frames per second. But once you get used to it, you’re in for a different flavor of Predator. The action sequences are stunning and very well-staged and choreographed. An early fight scene with the Viking is animated in one take and it looks miraculous. These landscapes are so unique for the Predator franchise, but at the core of all of it is the same theme: survival.
Each of these warriors must use their skillset to take on the predator. While the original film relied more heavily on suspense, this movie is an all-out historical epic filled with bloodshed. This movie mixes action thrills with genuine tragedy, getting you to care about all our character relationships while they battle this monster across centuries of time. One of the most impressive aspects is the section that takes place in Japan. Ninjas and samurai battling the predator is enough to sell me alone, but the fact that there’s little to no dialogue in the sequence at all and it relies on so much visual storytelling is phenomenal.
But once you think you’ve had enough of seeing your typical fight scene, Trachtenberg keeps it fresh. The World War II sequence has both a genuine charm from voice actor Rick Gonzalez and a new idea: the pilot isn’t going to be battling the predator with his bare hands or strength. They face off in a dogfight, and if you’ve seen the Top Gun movies, you’ll know what kind of incredible aerial stunts we’ll get to see. And because this is an animated film, Trachtenberg can go even bigger with the action than we’re expecting.
Predator: Killer of Killers is an exhilarating experience, especially through its final minutes. There are amazing easter eggs for longtime Predator fans and it expands the lore. I loved it so much that I didn’t want it to end when it did. I was having such a great time that when the credits began rolling, I wanted more. One can only wonder if Trachtenberg’s live-action Predator movie from later this year, Predator: Badlands, will tie up any loose ends from this film. Even if this movie ended with a bit more to offer, this film remains one of the best Predator movies and an absolute surprise. Don’t sleep on this one; it’s a knockout.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Predator: Killer of Killers review.
Source: Comingsoon.net