Running Time: 107 minutes
This film from 20th Century Studios opens exclusively at theaters and on IMAX screens on November 7th.
These days, it seems like every successful science-fiction, fantasy or horror film isn’t content to keep its stories and characters in their own universe. The original Predator was a fantastic science-fiction/action spectacle made as a standalone feature. But even back in the day, studio heads seemed excited by the idea of combining the villainous warriors from another planet with the Alien franchise. It resulted in a couple of less-than-stellar features, but the studio has never given up on the idea. Predator: Badlands is a story involving the title creature, but one that also indeed has ties to the Alien universe. The action on display is creatively accomplished, yet it’s not hard to see the picture’s obvious attempts at drawing viewers into a longer narrative that will span over multiple movies.
Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) is part of the Predator species and a son of his home planet’s Apex Predator. All young family members must hunt and kill an otherworldly species to earn the right to become an official Predator (or Yautja). Alas, even the creature’s parent considers Dek a “runt” that should be eliminated to properly preserve the Yautja line. Dek is fueled to prove his worth and chooses to hunt one of the most feared beasts in the universe, an enormous lifeform that can regenerate lost limbs. The Predator ends up on the creature’s strange world, but finds everything about the planet dangerous. Thankfully, Dek encounters Thia (Elle Fanning), a damaged synthetic humanoid research robot created by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation (from the Alien franchise). Thia convinces Dek to use her as a tool in hunting his prey. Dek agrees and as various forces from all sides close in on the pair, they start to form something resembling a bond.
Yes, this is a picture that features no human characters at all, which is an interesting challenge. But of course, over the course of the story all of the aliens and robots stop and begin to learn from each other, in a sense, becoming anthropomorphized. Dek initially wants nothing more than to fight and kill in the tradition of the Predator line, but the situation ultimately requires assistance, communication, and understanding with Thia. The synthetic being knows all the species on the planet and pleads that they can use them to their benefit if they treat them respectfully.
There is a lot (perhaps too much) of action in the film. But at least it is, during several sequences, handled in an amusing way. Various strange species exist in this world and it is entertaining to see Dek use them during the climax. Thia is in search of missing legs for a good portion of the film. After recovering the limbs, there are complications that arise, leaving two separate parts of the character individually helping to take out some foes. These moments are impressively handled and enjoyable to watch.
As mentioned, the movie also makes a point of its characters understanding other species. This includes a small beast crucial to the story that follows them around. The intent is noble, but the delivery can be heavy-handed at times, especially as some of the creatures on another world should not be expected to display the same curious nature to invasive species.
And while the script does its best to make a Predator and a synthetic robot relatable and appealing, it does come off a little strangely. Thia seems almost too jovial and jokey for an artificial lifeform, and very few of the jokes land. Additionally, as enjoyable as some of the action is, much of it involves CGI aliens battling CGI aliens and robots, and so It’s hard to get too emotionally invested in the outcome. In fact, at times some of it resembles an impressively animated video game.
The story does come to a close on an acceptably final note, but it does set up the next sequel in its final moments. One can’t help but feel like we’re heading into storylines and backstories that aren’t essential, but intended to keep two Hollywood franchises forging ahead and earning profits. Those who are already invested in the Predator series and Alien film and TV projects will likely be entertained by Predator: Badlands. Overall, I appreciated various elements, but still fear a future of fatigue-inducing follow-ups.
