Displaying items by tag: Predator: Badlands movie

PREDATOR: BADLANDS

US, 2025, 107 minutes, Colour.

Elle Fanning, Dimetrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Cameron Brown, Reuben de Jong.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg.

Since Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared in the original Predator in 1987, there has been an ever-increasing franchise with the title, all kinds of variations on the theme, here on earth as well as in outer space and conflicts with aliens. Which, in fact, is the case in this story.

One of the first aspects to commend is that of the re-creation of space, the universe, planets, beauty, crags and mountains, weather, moods, sinister atmospheres, worlds of science fantasy and science fiction – and, with a comment for fans that this film definitely needs to be seen on a big screen in the cinema. And this is the case for a huge industrial complex on a far planet, a world of advanced technology as well as some desperate fighting.

On the first mysterious planet, a strange humanoid creature is wanting to assert himself, looked down on by his warrior father, helped by his brother, then going on a mission to save his planet.

On the other hand, when he arrives at another distant planet, there is already a group of investigators, sharing the same quest. But, while the characters on this mission look human, they are in fact what is called Synthetics. It is surprising to see Elle Fanning as one of the synthetics, humane in her attitudes and teaming up with the stranger, then her also appearing as her sister-Synthetic, female but heartless.

There is also a large squad of male Synthetics all mass-produced on an assembly-line, all looking the same.

There is a quest, a search for a deadly creature. But there is also a power struggle in who controls the technology and how it is exercised.

While a lot of the plot ingredients seem familiar, the screenplay is put together more intriguingly than usual and the non-human characters mirroring human behaviour. And, even though the characters do not have actual hearts, the heartlike elements prevail.

1. The popularity of the franchise for almost 40 years? The variations? On Earth, aliens, in space, the future?
2. The visual impact of this film, the widescreen, the landscapes, crags and mountains, countryside, suggestions of an alien planet, the huge industrial centre, the technology, the weather and moods, battles, hand-to-hand fighting? The musical score?
3. Science fantasy, the future, beyond Earth in space? The references to Earth?
4. The characters, Synthetics, the females synthetics and their control, the male synthetics as warriors? The contrast with the creatures from the other planet, aliens from the human point of view, their appearance, warriors, face, teeth/fangs/tasks? Clothing and armour? Their own language and communication, subtitles?
5. The planet, the Yautja, Dek and his place in the clan, younger, the relationship with his brother, designated as the weakest? His father, giant, relegating Deck, his brother’s defence, their fight, his father killing his son? The impact on Deck, his determination to make his mark? The actor within the costume, the language, creating a credible character?
6. Space, vehicles, deck going to the death planet, the flora and fauna, discovering the dangerous plants, explosions? The encounter with Fear? The female synthetic? Her legs severed? Her being trapped? Her mission? Deck releasing her, carrying her? The encounter with the creature, Barbed, collaborating, marking territory, the relationship with Deck? Theo, wanting to contact Tessa, Dick and the concept of sister? Theo liking it?
7. The Earth mission, the range of synthetics, Tessa, Elle Fanning’s alternate characterisation? Relentless, the mission for all, to capture the Callous? Theo and her wanting to be reminded with her legs?
8. The comic perceptions along with the action, the legs walking by themselves, the strategies and techniques, contribution to the fight? Theo and the confrontation with Tessa?
9. Deck, barbed, the hunt for the bison, the uniting on the mission, deck as intentions, his trophy?
10. Tessa, the machines, the confrontations, the sympathetic soldiers, all looking the same? The battles, the confrontations?
11. The callous, barbed and the mother, the fighting, the contributions, Tessa’s destruction?
12. Deck, having his trophy, Theo restored, Barred growing larger? The return to the original planet, deck and his confronting his father, the battle?
13. And the future…? Sequel…?