3 days ago
'Predator: Killer of Killers' Review: The Yautja Anthology We Need
The Predator franchise has had its ups and downs over the decades. The first movie was the embodiment of 80s action films that still hold in high regard for film fans—snobby or not. Recently, the story of humans versus the perfect hunter has experienced a resurgence, thanks to Dan Trachtenberg's Prey . The director is knee-deep in production on his highly anticipated next installment in the Predator series. Still, he decided to take a little detour with the animated movie Predator: Killer of Killers .
Thankfully, Trachtenberg continues to prove that he understands what works for these blood-soaked movies and even opens the door to new possibilities.
Predator: Killer of Killers unites Trachtenberg with visual artist Joshua Wassung in bringing the Yautja into the world of animation. The anthology story written by Micho Robert Rutare pits three different individuals from three different eras against the hunters. The first story, called 'The Shield,' is set in the Viking era, where a Viking raider guides her son on a blood-filled quest for revenge. Story two, titled 'The Sword,' features a ninja in feudal Japan who challenges his samurai brother in combat for control of their kingdom. Lastly, the final story, named 'The Bullet,' features a young World War II pilot trying to make sense of unexplained events in the sky.
One of the strongest aspects of Predator: Killer of Killers is its compelling story.
Most of the Predator movies are straightforward in their portrayal of survival and the kill-or-be-killed mentality. Rutare does something a bit different with Predator: Killer of Killers by adding layers to the story. The writer develops the themes of revenge, family, and identity to give the movie a more nuanced feel. Rutare uses 'The Shield' to depict the idea of revenge being a fiery and destructive force not only for the receiver but also for the one who dishes it out.
That notion allows the film to remain engaging throughout and helps converge all three stories into the third act intriguingly. The Yautja have been depicted in comics and other media as hunting people across various points in history. Predator: Killer of Killers takes that idea and uses it in ways that have not been explored in this medium. The hunters use the human victors, which allows certain characters to have a longer impact in the franchise. The film even takes it to the point where a character from past films makes a shocking appearance.
It honestly left my jaw on the floor during the last fifteen seconds of the film.
The combination of Trachtenberg's directing and Wassung's visual eye is the perfect mixture for Predator: Killer of Killers . The film employs specific colors, such as red, orange, and blue, to make each story stand out in its own way. A beautiful example of this is in the 'The Shield' story, where a wall of fire engulfs the background. It symbolizes the growing hatred in the Viking raider that would define her, and was truly astounding to see. Even the use of red in 'The Sword' is striking on-screen and lends the setting a truly artistic look.
The only complaint I would have with the movie is the 'The Bullet' story. The previous tales gave me a lot from the characters' arcs, but I believe the last story could've used a little more. The film shows a little bit of Torre's life, voiced by Rick Gonzalez, before setting him on his path against the alien hunter. This section of the movie could have benefited from a bit more background and motivation to connect with the character truly. It's not a massive hiccup in the film; however, it felt rushed to get Predator: Killer of Killers into the Third Act.
Fans of the Predator franchise, including myself, have been pining for a film where the alien game hunters battle humans at different points in time. Trachtenberg and Wassung have given that to use in Predator: Killer of Killers and did a damn excellent job. The director gets the material and understands what makes this franchise so entertaining. I think the Predator world is in good hands, and hopefully, we'll get the Alien VS. Predator movie we deserve. Grade: A
