I Ranked the Predator Movies So You Didn't Have To
Since Prey has come out as the latest addition to the PCU, the Predator Cinematic Universe if you will, I figured we could take a look back at all the mayhem the Predator has caused. Of course this list is just my opinion so feel free to throw any debatable takes my way by contacting us.
Without further ado, let's jump in.
7. Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem This counts! It's main plot revolves around the Predator and has it squaring off with the Ridley Scott xenomorphs in what we'll call, a sequel that literally nobody asked for. As a follow up to Alien Vs. Predator this sequel tries to add more to the bloody mess but throwing the word "Requiem" in the title, which has nothing to do with anything other than maybe sounding cool. Overall this film is horribly lit, the plot somehow completely screws up the existence of a Predator/Xenomorph hybrid and is unaware of how needless it is by attempting to set up a third installment in the end.
I would compare it to a really really really bad attempt at making a 30 Days of Night rip off with Aliens and Predators (oh my!)
6. The Predator Shane Black just really misses the mark with this one. It's attempting to be a dark comedy while also trying to set up some lore for possibly a revamping of an actual PCU (yes I'm going to run with this acronym). Some of the actors have decent chemistry like Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Jane, whereas others are as lost as possible on the screen i.e. Olivia Munn. The plot of Predators trying to for some reason improve themselves with human genetics is beyond wild and antithetical to the whole mission of the Predator throughout the years. This one was just terrible, and I mean really terrible.
5. Predator 2 While made at the beginning of the 90's, it is practically bursting at the seams with 90's style and bravado. The acting, sets, and cuts are all screaming 90's action without any of the payoff. The original Predator film was successful due to its grounded action/thriller approach whereas this sequel cranks it up to 1000. Needless to say it does not pan out well. With a cast boasting Danny Glover, Gary Busey and Bill Paxton it fails to capitalize on what it could've been. Lucky for it however it has kind of risen to cult status given its outrageous action, out of this world death scenes, and the Predator saying "fucker."
4. Alien Vs. Predator Honestly, I kind of enjoyed this one! I really liked how it combined the ethos of the claustrophobic horror from Scott's original Alien along with the edge-of-your seat hunting from the original Predator. Both of these play along rather well with eachother in a deep Antarctic temple unsurfaced by a research team going through the ringer between these two extraterrestrial killers. Although there's nothing of real substance in the film and you may find yourself sleepwatching through it, it is by far and large better than the previous films if only by a slim margin.
3. Predators There's a huge gap between 4 and 3 here, because Predators slaps. This is what they mean when people talk about expanding an already existing idea or IP. As opposed to Predator 2 being another Predator in another area on Earth doing classic stuff, the Predators capture the most dangerous people on Earth (or other worlds) and bring them to a hunting grounds planet. It is an awesome idea to see play out and is a bit of a twist at first but the best twists are between the characters and their journey of survival. There are some awesome set pieces, solid visuals and fantastic acting across a great cast including Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, Topher Grace, Mahershala Ali, an unhinged Walton Goggins and Laurence Fishburne. Not to mention there's some great re-watch value here, even expecting the twists and turns the action and plot hold up against the test of time.
2. Predator Of course the OG is up here this high, are you surprised?! What is there more to say about this film that you don't already know? The ultra-macho 80's action is as well done as you can imagine and even the visuals stand up well to watch again and again. Not to mention the sheer number of memes that have been supplied from the film! Getting to choppers and mega muscle manly high fives are just some sublime examples of the whole milk macho lot provided by Predator. I think I just convinced myself to watch it again if I'm being honest.
1. Prey Some of you may call this recency bias because this is the latest one I've seen, but to that I'll retort with a resounding "not a chance." Dan Trachtenberg has put together an exquisite film that is a fantastic pairing to the original Predator film. Where the original was as masculine as anything can possibly be this film runs in the opposite direction with a female lead. It also explores the origins (that we know of) of the Predator coming to hunt on Earth by taking place in the Northern Great Plains in 1719 where the main characters are Comanche Native Americans and a smattering of French fur trappers. The cast have fantastic chemistry where Amber Midthunder and Dakota Beavers play great together as brother and sister Naru and Taabe. Sound, lighting and the overall set construction are some of the strongest elements in the film that show the wide expanse of the land along with the brutality of the food chain and its symbolic relation with the hunting Predator. Prey also possesses by far the best action sequences in this entire list. Naru fighting with the French fur trappers to rescue her dog Sarii is a long one shot masterclass of shooting action scenes along with the Predator running through the fur trappers in their bait trap failed experiment. On top of all of this the score from Sarah Schachner is as expansive and captivating as the gorgeous landscapes that fill the screen. Speaking of rewatch value for a few of these films, this one certainly takes the cake and sits atop the Predator film food chain, and deservedly so.
