I had no idea what to expect or what kind of film this really was, but I saw a few videos’ criticising the face of the predator and I understand and appreciate that. I for one wasn’t that keen on the look of the Predator in this one.

They all seemed off to me, not quite right, not as creepy and scary looking as past films. The invisible aspect, being hunted by the hunter, stealth, hiding. That aspect which made the species what it is, seems to have been thrown out of the window on this one.

Instead, we are introduced to a sick twisted family dynamic. If we have any law to go by, I’ll take you back to the second film. (Predator 2 with Danny Glover) There is a scene where the predator scans the female cop, see’s she is pregnant and releases her. This is very much, we have rules, allowing her to live. Some kind of deep honourable approach, which suggests that you don’t hunt that which is pregnant. If it’s protecting a family, mother and unborn son or daughter. Then why not protect your sons?

The very start of Predator Badlands, is on many scales, wrong. There is no honour in killing your son. Which is what the father wanted to do, instead of nurture, take your son hunting? I am very confused by this, what I call stupid dynamic which doesn’t sit or fit right. Dan Trachtenberg very much got this wrong on this approach. I was disappointed to see this. 

I did however respect the bit where we hear about the home planet of Yautja Prime and the species of Predator’s are called Yautja and there is a codex. But this feels like it was thrown out of the window as soon as it was said.

As the story gets on to hunt some species prized by the Youtja on a god-awful planet we  discovered this planet is full of everything that can kill. The film did however get better. But I am still not sure on what my thoughts are on the predator. Enter the android from Wayland which again changes the dynamic, a bit of a through back to when Chewie had C3P0 on his back in Star Wars. That companion acting in order for, who’s side is whose and who is the bad guy now?

Then Trachtenberg, did he feel if he was being original in copying the movie Rambo? Because that what he did with the Predator! That felt like a core aspect of adaptation to the planet. But hey, I guess it works…

I understand the hunt, but I then felt the story fell flat on its face. By the end of the film I would say it’s an okay movie. But nothing special stood out for me.

3 out of 5.