The latest crack at the Predator franchise proves to be the best entry since the original film, and not just benefitting from the obvious tactic of setting it in tribal American-Indian past with a young female protagonist. Employing simple but purposeful parallels between Comanche and Predator rites-of-passage hunting, and noting that aliens are not the only predators faced by the natives, the protagonist here is much more than conventional cannon-fodder. It highlights the powerful link between man and nature that Dutch/Arnie realised at the end of the first film, used as an integral part of the story and also shot beautifully. The film is written and directed with a real clarity of purpose, lead performances by Amber Midthunder as Naru and Dakota Beavers as her older brother Taabe are very engaging, and the slow introduction and reveal of the Predator is handled well. It is interesting to consider that the film would still work without the Predator/alien aspect as a coming-of-age tale, and saving us from another retread with yet another gang of toxic-male soldiers here proves not only refreshing but also very satisfying and enjoyable to watch.
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