Full disclosure, I'm not a fan of the Predator films but I loved Prey and Killer of Killers. And now I can say I loved Badlands as well. The direction Trachtenberg has taken this franchise is my vibe for sure. While I still think Prey may be the best of the series, I may have had the most fun in the Badlands.
Switching the perspective to a Predator is a simple yet brilliant way to breathe life into the story. The film's focus on chosen family and the rejection of who you are supposed to be keeps the film from upending years of continuity. The Yautja are still monsters. This doesn't change that. The corporations are still monsters. This doesn't change that. But it is saying you don't have to be. I am a sucker for a family-is-what-you-make-it story.
Badlands is a funny movie. Not in a spoof or satire sort of way but in the way the humour is organically woven into the story. Fanning is a standout here, creating two characters, with her main one balancing pathos with humour in a completely natural way. She has always had an incredible screen presence and she elevates this film.
Badlands is an action packed movie. Much has been made of its PG13 rating but some of that must have to do with the fact that there are no humans (seriously, not one character is human in this film) getting brutally killed. It's all monsters and aliens and robots. The action is good. Trachtenberg films it incredibly. It is the sort of film that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
After the success of Prey it would have been easy for Trachtenberg to simply replicate that again with another timeframe. Instead he went in a different direction and we are all richer for it. He isn't repeating himself. He delivered another great film with a very different tone and flavour yet which all fits together so seamlessly. Let him make as many Predator movies as he wants.
After the success of Prey it would have been easy for Trachtenberg to simply replicate that again with another timeframe. Instead he went in a different direction and we are all richer for it. He isn't repeating himself. He delivered another great film with a very different tone and flavour yet which all fits together so seamlessly. Let him make as many Predator movies as he wants.
Predator: Badlands
Starring: Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Mike Homik
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Writers: Patrick Aison, Brian Duffield
No comments:
Post a Comment