Prey- 2022

Quality ***

Entertainment value ***

Very few could claim that the Predator series of films have been anything but a mixed bag. Only the first was a stone cold classic, and the follow ups have all taken a great concept and disappointed greatly. But I am a completist (er, of sorts, I have yet to watch AVP Requiem, or The Howling New Moon Rising for that matter) and I had heard good things about the latest iteration in the series so I thought I would give it a go.

At under two hours it zipped along quite nicely. I liked the native American aspect of it, and the predator was well used and basically delivered to brief. The inclusion of the French speaking trappers added some interest and historical aspects all to the good.

But there was little meat of the bones, however well formed they might be. I never really felt there was much at stake. The native American village never really felt under threat for example, only Naru and her hunter friends. But my biggest criticism is that for returning fans, there is nothing new see or learn here. The creature might as well have been a giant bear or well armed serial killer and the plot would only have needed minor amendments. So for me, it ticked a lot of boxes, we got some cool predator action, but the experience was ultimately hollow.