We see if it’s k*k – Predator: Badlands

When should a franchise only have stayed, a single movie..? 

For me, let’s start IMMEDIATELY with “Alien!” Yes, the 1979 movie was perfect in every way, and should stayed on its own…  

• The sequel? Meh…
• The one after that? HELL NO!!! 
• And after that? Let’s not even go there!!!

What about it close counterpart… Predator!?  

You got Arnie and a bunch of random dudes getting hunted in the jungle, and Arnie shouting his INFAMOUS line “Get to da choppa!!!” all in one movie! HECK YES!!! 

And then it went down hill after that… 

We’re still waiting for an Alien redemption after the butchering of the franchise, but Predator has done pretty well in redeeming themselves!

2022’s “Prey” was AMAZING! 

And now, we take a look at: 

Plot time: 

• The story follows Dek, a young exiled Yautja (the Predator Species), who crash-lands on a hostile planet and must prove himself worthy of the hunt by killing an Apex Predator called the Kalisk, leading him to form an alliance with Thia, a Weyland-Yutani Coporation Android. 

I will admit, when I saw the trailer it was a strong “NO!” from me… it seemed cheap and almost goofy. But I thought, considering “Prey” was so good, the very least I could do is go in with an open mind, and hope  

HOW WRONG WAS I TO DISMISS THIS MOVIE!!! Trust me, the trailer does NOT do it justice!  

So, let me get into this, spoiler free!!! 

Basically, like the plot says, this Predator guy, Dek, travels to a “death planet” Genna, to hunt… The Kalisk! A creature so ferocious, even the most hardcore Predators fear it!  

(Dek. An angry boy)

So… Dek eventually makes it onto the planet, and yeah no… the place truly IS a “Death Planet!” 

Think Hillbrow in Johannesburg, just with more plant life!  

Eventually he meets up with Thia, a damaged Weyland-Yutani Coporation Android. 

(Thia. Robot)

And yes… the same Weyland-Yutani Coporation from all the Alien Movies. 

And off they go on a wild adventure to find the terrifying Kalisk! 

Let’s start with the CGI… coz this movie has a lot! And honestly, well done! Maaaaaaaybe a moment here or there where something sticks out as slightly rushed and unpolished. But honestly, that’s if you REALLY want to look for it! They did the hostile planet, the creatures, the ambience, all of it, Justice! 

Genna – The Hostile Planet

As for the 2 main characters: 

• Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi plays the Predator, Dek! Obviously the face was CGI using motion capture, with Dimitrius’s emotions and facial expressions being captured! So that, as well as the movements, the motions, the actions, Dimitrius did a fantastic job!!!  

• Elle Fanning plays Thia, a damaged Weyland-Yutani Coporation synthetic who partners with Dek, and remember, coz I also thought this initially, if she seems like she over-acting, or forcing a bit too hard, that’s just Elle doing a great job, she’s a ROBOT! That’s her programming! 

I’m only singling the 2 of them out for now, despite there being a few other minor characters, but all round, everyone did a fantastic job! 

For the Soundtrack, Sarah Schachner, who scored Prey is back for another Predator movie teaming up with Benjamin Wallfisch, who himself has quite the CV including the animated film, Predator: Killer of Killers! So nice to see they both already have Predator experience! 

If you can, its definitely worth the watch!  In fact, I think I’m gonna go watch it again!

The Verdict: Not k*k! 

Watch the trailer here, but don’t base an opinion of the movie on it: