I’d like to preface this review by mentioning that I have not seen many films from the Predator franchise. I saw Alien vs Predator several years ago, but that’s about it. I am solely basing my reception of the newest entry in the Predator franchise, Prey, as a standalone film rather than comparing it to its predecessors.

So, with all that in mind, Prey is exactly what I have been wanting in a modern action movie. Action as a genre has something I have always been skeptical of. There are so many copy-and-paste premises with cliché characters that distract from solid choreography and intense moments. What Prey did to enhance itself as a film was utilize every single aspect of filmmaking in order to give the action purpose and excitement. The cinematography was absolutely gorgeous. The majority of scenes took place at night or under a mysterious hidden smoke, which helped add a level of secrecy and uneasiness. The music and editing escalated the intensity and added emotion to the big sequences scattered throughout the film.

However, the action sequences weren’t the only stunning aspects of this film. Amber Midthunder was an absolute joy to watch. In Prey, she proved her ability to lead a film on her own. Much of the film relied on her ability to act alongside animals (or your average giant deadly alien), but throughout all of the spectacle she was able to bring the attention to her acting range. The supporting cast, while not utilized as much as one may wish, still boasted some great performances from the likes of Dakota Beavers and Stormee Kip.

Before discussing Prey’s flaws, I’d like to briefly mention how great it is that you have the ability to watch it in the Comanche dub. It’s nice to see more steps being made towards representation in the film industry, and the dub really adds to the immersion.

Despite its many merits, there are also some serious issues with Prey. While the film delivered in cinematography and atmosphere, it lacked good pacing and plot development. Prey noticeably struggled to find its place initially. Until sh*t hit the fan, it didn't feel like anything substantial was happening. As mentioned before, there are very few characters. Besides Naru and the Predator, the characters were very bland and boring. Taabe had the potential to be more than just his motivation but was restricted by the writing (which was sad to see since, as I said earlier, Dakota Beavers did an excellent job).

All in all, Prey was a welcome addition to the modern action genre. While it did not always stick the landing plot-wise, it made up for this by having a compelling narrative, beautiful cinematography, and amazing performances. When you put all that together, you’re left with an incredible film experience that you won’t quickly forget.

8/10