Dan Trachtenberg sharpens the lethal edge of the Predator saga with his latest film, Predator: Badlands. This operatic big-screen adventure flips the script on the alien bounty hunter, making him a sympathetic protagonist on a multi-pronged quest. Elle Fanning shines as Thia, a synthetic android sent to Genna to retrieve her legs, which becomes Dek’s unlikely ally.
Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a young Yautja, seeks to prove his worth by killing a famed beast known as the Kalisk. However, when his brother orders him to kill him instead, Dek is forced to survive on Genna alone. He meets Thia and together they face various formidable adversaries, including Tessa (also Fanning), a ruthless android sent to capture the Kalisk.
As Dek navigates this deadly world, he learns the value of teamwork and forges an unlikely bond with Thia and a monkey-like creature named Bud. Trachtenberg successfully breaks from his predecessors’ mold by pivoting his tale around Dek, humanizing the Predator without sacrificing his unswearing deadliness. Fanning brings humor to her role as Thia, delivering captivating performances that highlight the ties between Dek and his synthetic ally.
The film’s action is majestic and electric, with Trachtenberg and cinematographer Jeff Cutter interspersing fearsome chaos with breathtaking panoramas of Genna. Predator: Badlands sets up a grand new franchise future, exploring tensions between siblings, comrades, and parents and children. With its unique odd-couple chemistry and high-stakes showdowns, this film is a thrilling addition to the Alien vs. Predator saga.
Source: https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/predator-badlands-is-a-balls-to-the-wall-franchise-epic