Dan Trachtenberg’s “Predator: Badlands” just had its world premiere in the UK, with the first social media reactions going online.
Reactions are quite positive with plenty of praise for the performances and the film’s direction. Some of the most interesting comments, however, come from the more softly positive reviews.
Those suggest the film takes a few risks with the franchise, trying a number of new things. Some of them work, some don’t, but it certainly sounds like it’s trying to be its own thing rather than a straight nostalgia play aiming to recreate the original.
Here’s a sampling of the reactions:
“Predator: Badlands is friggin’ awesome. Inventive action, organic comedy, and a story I was fully invested in. Dan Trachtenberg continues to push all the right buttons with this franchise. Impressive.” – Amon Warmann, Empire
“Initial Predator Badlands thoughts – absolutely a Dark Horse adaptation. Fans of the wider EU will get a lot of enjoyment out of it. Leaned heavily into the adventure/fantasy angle & really showed the genre-bending/flexibility of the Predator. Loved Dek & Thia’s dynamic, absolutely adore Elle Fanning and Dimitrius was fantastic and Dek genuinely looked great throughout. Don’t think P1/P2 purists will be on-board with this though” – Aaron Percival, AVPGalaxy
“Predator Badlands is a cosmic buddy road movie and it’s all killer no filler. Dan Trachtenberg smartly maneuvers the franchise to a grander scale than just another survival horror. It might not be as traditionally gory, but I had a blast with it.” – Eamon Parks Jacobs, Dexerto
“Trachtenberg takes major swings in this movie, with it sometimes leaning too much into its family-friendly nature, but overall, he arrives with a movie that not only expands on the Yautja mythology but also delivers outstanding fight choreography and excellent performances. ” – Christopher Rates It, Nexus Point News
“PREDATOR: BADLANDS: an action-packed ride that keeps you on your toes. It’s a “found family” action-adventure wrapped in that classic franchise brutality. Trachtenberg confidently continues to make the Predator world captivating as Fanning charms (and scares!) ” – Chris Gallardo, PopTernative
“Dan Trachtenberg delivers yet more thrilling action in this world, even if this might be his weakest work in the franchise yet. It’s the most action-packed Predator film yet, some of it as brutal as you’d expect, while other moments rely more on the comedic aspect brought into the film. It’s an interesting angle to take with a Predator film, and one that doesn’t always work, the film feeling a bit like The Mandalorian at times. When it’s good though, it’s GOOD.” – Josh Barton, Film Hounds Magazine
“Dan Trachtenberg’s #PredatorBadlands is an epic spectacle that takes us on a deep dive into Yautja mythology. More sci-fi epic than a traditional Predator film, it takes some big swings that don’t always land. Despite its bold approach, legacy fans may be left disappointed.” – Phil Roberts, The Future of the Force
Set in the future on a deadly remote planet, this follows a young Predator outcast (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) who finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Elle Fanning) as he embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
“Predator: Badlands” opens exclusively in cinemas on November 7th.
