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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Prey – Review

GP Rating

There will be minor spoilers ahead so be warned!

Prey is a Predator film that manages to shake off the curse of its forebears and actually be a good, nay great, film. And not in a so bad it’s good way but an actually compelling and enjoyable one.

Gone is the cliche cheese fest that haunts most of the movies in this franchise and what we are provided with is a well-thought-out, well-paced, well scored and tense film that shows just because its a predator movie that you don’t need to have loads of puns, bad acting, over the top action and constant reminders of the originals.

That is not to say that there are no nods to the first two. “If it bleeds we can kill it” is uttered, the flintlock pistol, well, if you know Predator 2 then it will look very familiar, and there are other minor references now and again but Prey doesn’t rely on what came before to prop itself up but instead is happy to give fans some lip service now and again.

The Predator is familiar but, pardon the pun, alien in a way. It has its signature active camo and heat vision but is less bulky, less armoured, more primitive looking, and its weapons, all though extremely advanced compared to that of his quarry, are more blade and shield, with the iconic laser designator launching large seeking darts in effect, rather than the known and trusted plasma weapon.

On the opposite side the people it is hunting are tribal Comanche’s from the great planes, with little more than basic spears, tomahawks and bows an arrows to fend off this demon; though European trappers do turn up later on with basic flintlock muskets and rifles.

The symmetry between the Comanches and the predator is great, all be it the Predator hunts for sport and honour the Comanches hunt for survival and honour but both believing that hunting something that can hunt you is a rite of passage. And ties in with our hero’s need to prove she can be a warrior and a hunter too.

Prey is bloody without being a gorefest, tense without being forced  and action-packed without being mindless. The score of the film also provides a different and more immersive feel and really helps engage you in what is truly one of the best Predator films that have been released.

Potential for further historic hunts, akin to Predator: Dark Ages, who knows, but prey shows that there is still life in the franchise if you think outside the box and aren’t afraid to do something slightly different.

Matt Geary
Matt Gearyhttps://www.geek-pride.co.uk
From N.Ireland but now living in Manchester, England; Matt is the founder and CEO of Geek Pride. Interests: Photography, Music, Art, poetry, Military History, Model making and painting and of course gaming (table top and computer)

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