Predators: Badlandsworks best when it’s dealing with the organic. In the soft, frictionless world of so many computer-generated tentpole spectacles, there’s atextured sensuality to the world crafted by director Dan Trachtenberg that’s undeniably appealing. The scaled, rippled skin of the Predator has acertain kind of beauty; its hollowed out face, golden eyes and expressive mandibles tap into something primal and exciting. The extraterrestrial world is rich in oozing lifeforms and even the synthetic curves of the film’s humanoid characters, androids designed to explore the inhospitable planet, feel embodied; their skin delicate, apt to rip andscar.
The film opens with an exile, as Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), the “runt of the litter,” is cast from his Yautja clan (the Predator species). He goes on the hunt for agreat beast to prove that he is worthy, with his ultimate plan to return home to enact revenge. It’s not long before he finds adamaged android, Thia (Elle Fanning), who promises to guide Dek to his trophy if he helps her reunite with her legs and sister. The pair start off with something akin to aworking relationship that eventually blooms into afriendship as together they find power in their shared weaknesses.
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The characters in the film are undeniably likeable, particularly as their relationship comes together through comfortable but well done odd couple banter. Dek and Thia eventually encounter athird member of their clan, astrange (and almost annoyingly adorable) creature that looks like across between aFrench bulldog and Toothless the Dragon. The unlikely group embarks on ajourney that unfolds like levels in avideo game with each beat presenting anew obstacle to conquer and each victory paired with inoffensive, if predictable, lessons about friendship and loyalty. Everyone lives, learns and grows; they all become better “people.”
It’s amovie that inevitably lacks any real edge in terms of characterisation, opting for crowd-pleasing over tension. Despite the film’s violence, it often feels more likeThe Mandalorian than amovie in thePredator franchise. For all the audiences that will latch onto the more wholesome “Island of Misfit Toys” vibes, it will also likely alienate some of the more die hard fans seeking something alittle edgier and moreadult.
The worst part of the film though, is that it is one of many recent Blockbuster films that inevitably has awhole pivotal act that takes place in anondescript warehouse and glorified parking lot. Considering the film’s attention to detail in creating aplanet brimming with unusual lifeforms, it is an absolute waste to relegate the film’s climax to what looks like adark backlot. Compared to the expansive world-building of most of the film, it seems particularly egregious and almost undoes all the good will the film had accumulated.
That being said,Predators: Badlands remains largely fun. The world feels rich with imagination, forged by filmmakers who clearly love the franchise deeply. The performances are strong and driven by relatable emotional arcs. While everything comes together in afairly predictable way, it’s no less satisfying. In aworld of bloated Blockbusters overwhelmed by subplots and dull exposition, there’s something appealing about an action sci-fi that gets to the point without muchflab.
Predators: Badlands might not be on the level of Trachtenberg’s 2022 Predator spin-off,Prey, but it has its pleasures. It’s asmart kind of stupid that hits the lowest common denominator in terms of story as ameans of revelling in the strangeness of the world building. Each scene serves its purpose and the movie, running not much longer than 100minutes, never wears out its welcome.
