Two major sci-fi series emerged in the 80s: Terminator and Predator. Both fought for survival after their last films, Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) fell through with audiences and critics just as much as Predator – Upgrade (2018). Tomorrow the seemingly inconspicuous new Predator part will be released with Prey – directly as a stream on Disney + and without theatrical release *. That alone proves the low level of faith in the time-honored sci-fi horror franchise.
The big surprise: Prey is good. Really good even. The 7th film in the series (counting the alien crossovers) is so fresh and original that it could reinvigorate its universe forever. He might even to the best sci-fi horror of 2022 will
– if the long-awaited Nope by Get Out director Jordan Peele didn’t start next week. It’s tough competition.
Sci-fi horror from the Predator series: that’s what Prey is all about
Prey – Trailer (German) HD
The story of Prey is 300 years in the past settled and abducted into Comanche territory. Naru (Amber Midthunder) is a fearless and extremely gifted warrior who is not taken seriously by her tribe. She wants to prove herself.
When her people are threatened by an outside threat, Naru sets out to find the source of all evil. However, she does not find any monster that is familiar to her. Instead, an extraterrestrial species is revealed in nature, which with sophisticated weapons the hunt begins.
Prey goes back to basics while still rethinking the Predator universe
Every Predator film looks for a new environment. Part 1 played in the jungle, part 2 in the big city, part 3 on an alien planet, part 4 in the suburbs. Prey is the first post that travels back in time. Therefore, a hunter equipped with a number of deadly gadgets, armor and aiming systems meets throwing axes. Naru and the Comanches seem helplessly outnumbered.
Prey begins where Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character ended in Part 1. The character of the amazing Amber Midthunder has to rely entirely on her ability to improvise and her instincts. Anyone who gets involved in an open fight with the Predator has already lost (by the way, many characters in Prey experience this. The film is extremely bloody and brutal).
Watching Naru analyze her opponent’s weaknesses is amazing highly exciting and entertaining. Then there is the music, which is combined with beautiful landscape shots. And we don’t want to forget the second Prey star either: Naru spends most of his time with a loyal dog.
Prey at Disney+ is a reboot for the (almost) lost Predator franchise
Prey – Teaser Trailer (English) HD
Prey nearly hides the Predator. It doesn’t even appear in the title because the stamp was burned after the upgrade. This is Prey’s greatest strength: he could exist without the Predator in the first half, he is not dependent on his iconic monster. Director Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane) only garnishes his scenario with the classic Predator show values and focuses on the new characters.
He thus provides a blueprint for many other Predator films in the same style. A Predator in the Middle Ages? Why not?
*. . .