There have been much worse movie franchises than the Predator .
Other than the second Alien vs Predator flick, none of the entries have been close to awful.
However, none have matched the classic 1987 original starring Arnold Schwarzenegger either.
This is the first in the series not to receive a cinema release - but, ironically, it’s as good a sequel as we’ve had since Arnie laid waste to the titular alien in the jungle.
That’s partly because director Dan Trachtenberg ( 10 Cloverfield Lane ) and debut feature film writer Patrick Aison take a stripped back approach to proceedings.
Gone is the dumb humour of 2018’s disappointing The Predator , the massive cast ensemble of Predators and the firepower and technology at our protagonists’ disposal throughout the series.
Instead we head back in time - 300 years to be exact - to the Comanche Nation, where female warrior Naru (Amber Midthunder) fights to protect her tribe against one of the first Predators to arrive on Earth.
Midthunder is a revelation in the lead role; she may lack Arnie’s bulging biceps but more than makes up for it with nous, intelligence, fierceness and brilliance with a bow-and-arrow.
Dane DiLiegro fills the Predator suit and his sneaky, clandestine actions and minimalistic weaponry are, thankfully, a far cry from The Predator’s CGI monstrosity the Mega Predator .
He also puts Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant to shame by gutting wolves and having his way with a bear.
Trachtenberg brings the Comanche village to vivid life and the action is as intense as anything else in the franchise.
Blood and gore splatters the air and ground, particularly during a ferocious final act which sees Naru and the Predator try to prove their worth to their respective tribes.
Who would have thought the Predator’s best stab at matching its original outing would be a straight to streaming flick with no big names.
Sometimes the simplest options really are the best.
● What are your thoughts on The Predator movie franchise?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
● Prey is streaming now on Disney+
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