Prey

Today, I finished watching “Prey,” the prequel in the “Predator” franchise, which came out on the 5^th on Hulu. I decided to watch this while exercising, and now I will let everyone know what I thought of this film.

1987’s “Predator” collaborated a team of one-line quoting mercenaries sent on a quick rescue mission in a rainforest in Central America. However, the numbers game and total amount of weaponry were no match for an invisibility-cloaked, high-tech alien. The film expanded our imaginations on what we considered hunters and prey combined in a sci-fi/horror package. The “Predator” franchise has taken so many turns, peaks, and valleys, to say the least. There was a stop in Los Angeles with 1990’s “Predator 2,” a set of crossover battles with “Aliens vs. Predator,” a sequel to the first film with “Predators,” and a virtual-present day sequel with 2018’s “The Predator.” Did everyone get all that information? The franchise has been looking to reclaim its original look of terror, suspense, and delicate campiness.

Dan Trachtenberg’s “Prey” has finally made that happen. It has a great coming-of-age story combined with the most appreciated theme of what made the first film great – the hung and chase. Murjani Rawls said in her review, “Sometimes you have to go back to the past to reclaim your essence.” The beginning of “Prey” tells everyone a simple message – “a long time ago. It said that a monster came here.” From there, we are taken back to 1719 within Comanche Nation. A teenage girl named Naru (Amber Midthunder) wants to be accepted as a hunter like her brother Taabe (Dakota Beavers). While stalking a deer, Naru sees so many lights in the sky – indeed, feeling this is a sign she’s ready for her Kuhataamia (rite of passage). The problem is that Taabe, their mother Aruka, played by Michelle Thrush, and male members of the tribe don’t think Naru is ready for that.

However, as a reoccurring story element throughout “Prey” would tell, appearances can be deceiving. Naru may not seem threatening at first, but she’s a tracking expert, has an eye for detail, and is constantly developing her hunting skills. However, members of her tribe dismiss strange footprints and animals who are killed in strange ways, Naru says to stay on the trail. The combination of Midthunder’s acting and the story from Patrick Aison and Trachtenberg makes audiences attention hooked on the character’s journey. Rawls said, “Prey provides nothing easy to Naru — there are growing pains you will witness in how tedious hunting can be. However, the callbacks from difficult situations Naru goes through making her triumph that much more meaningful. Midthunder switches between contemplation, quick wit, and undying resolve at the flip of a coin.”

For example, there’s a mud pit Naru almost sinks and climbs her way out. Rawls said, “That instance is put together with a grab-bag of skills that will eventually help her when she fights the Predator.” They feel natural to the story and even call back to the original 1987 film. A Predator-set film wouldn’t be anything without its outer-space villain. Rawls said, “Trachtenberg sets things in motion where an entity that overpowers the setting it jumps into is also learning. A motif shows a succession of food-chain situations, with animals displaying what happens when something not natural to that habitat is introduced.” “Prey” goes to give the answer about what people and the environment can do about it.

The dangers are not only from outer-space – another element of French soldiers comes into play. Thus, a hierarchy of who considers what is threatening or not constantly changes, giving an exciting layer to “Prey’s” story. The film could have quickly fallen for the one-on-one aspect. However, it decides to speak on gender roles, colonization, and how danger presents itself in the wild.

Rawls said, “The cinematography of Jeff Cutter expertly captures the lushness of the forest that makes you feel involved in the period piece.” Producer Jhane Myers, a member of the Comanche nation, helps elevate Prey with a great level of truth. Most of the cast are Native American or Canadian First Nation, to the feeling of inseparability feels much more powerful. Rawls said, “Sarah Schachner’s violin-ladened score heightens danger during moments of isolation and elevates the taste of victory when they come.”

Looking at the violence, “Prey” delivers when looking at the land of muskets and tomahawks. The fight scenes are fast, planned, and brutal – so goes the nature of survival. The determination of the human spirit is a universal story one could insert anywhere. Trachtenberg completely uses the 100 minutes allotted to him to return the “Predator” franchise to stable ground.

If you have Hulu, I highly recommend everyone to watch this. This is a welcome return to what made the first “Predator” movie a classic. Hands down, this is the best in the franchise since the first movie, and everyone says the same thing. If you love this franchise, don’t miss your chance to watch “Prey.” Check it out and have an enjoyable time.

Thanks for joining in on today’s review. Stay tuned Friday for the finale of “Brad Pitt Month.”