Prey — Movie Review
by KJ Proulx
The Predator franchise has been a series with ups and downs, to say the least, but I think it’s relatively fair to say that nothing has really touched the enjoyability of the original film. Other than Predators (the third film in the franchise), I’ve never really liked any of the sequels or spin-offs, and as for the first film, it’s a fun time, but nothing spectacular. This is a franchise that has its moments, but no great films. For that reason alone, I had zero expectations for Prey, the prequel to the original. After watching it though, I think I might just have to say it’s my favourite of the franchise. Here’s why it’s deserving of your time.
Taking place over 300 years ago, as the Comanche Nation fights for food and survival, Naru (Amber Midthunder), sets out to prove herself as a hunter, as nobody believes she can do it. Along the way, she discovers that something out there is more powerful than any animal they could possibly encounter. This is the very first arrival of a Predator on Earth and she will do everything in per power to stop it, with or without any help. This story is very simple, but that’s also what made the original so enjoyable. This is a straightforward story about needing to take down another species and in that regard, it succeeds with flying colours.
Midthunder is a fantastic leading woman and I can’t wait to see where her career goes next. The weight of the film is entirely on her shoulders and her performance kept me engaged the entire time. Along with that, many of the other characters are unlikeable, which is why when the Predator shows up and starts offing people, it’s pretty entertaining. It’s also filled with brutal gore and doesn’t hold back visually. On top of all that, for such a low budget, and for a film that went straight to streaming, the effects are also pretty well done.
Overall, there’s really not that much to complain about here. It’s a simple story and it does everything it can with its premise. Like the original though, there’s not a lot of depth in the storytelling, at all. It’s for this reason alone that I can’t call it amazing or give it a massive score because there are times when I wish the film explored the characters further. Still, this film is littered with impressive filmmaking and I ate up every second of it. If you’re wanting a short, simple, great time, look no further than Prey, it’s a very, very, solid addition and possibly even in contention for my favourite of the Predator franchise.
Rating: 4/5
Check out the trailer below:
