Predator: Badlands - Angry Movie Review

Quick Overview

The reviewers highly praise the latest Predator installment, "Predator: Badlands," giving it a final verdict of 7/10, citing its great action, successful world-building, and the compelling, non-stereotypical characterization of the new Predator, Deck, who seeks trophies rather than just being a monster, though they note some minor cinematic flaws like slightly awkward CGI and overly simplistic humor.

Key Points: The final verdict for "Predator: Badlands" is a positive 7/10, indicating a successful entry in the franchise. The reviewers strongly approved of the characterization of the new Predator, Deck, noting he fights for trophies and honor, unlike the simple monster trope of previous films. The film successfully built out the Predator lore, integrating different Predator clans and their customs (like the Yautja) into the story. Key visual elements praised include the impressive CGI, detailed creature design (especially Deck's mask/face), and the jungle environment. The main criticism involved some moments feeling too 'cringey' or overly simplistic, particularly the attempts at humor and some CGI sequences that didn't quite land. The film successfully balances the intense action and horror elements with a strong theme of family and bond, which resonated well with the reviewers. The reviewer who initially rated it an 8/10 ultimately settled on a 7/10 after considering the entire film, especially the second half.

Context: This video is an "Angry Movie Review" from the Angry Joe Show crew (featuring Joe, Joe-Joe, and Alex, though Alex is absent) discussing the recently released Predator film, "Predator: Badlands," which is set in the Predator universe and focuses on a new Predator protagonist named Deck and his conflict with the Yautja clan hierarchy. The reviewers are long-time fans of the original Predator film, setting a high bar for any new installment.

Detailed Analysis

The reviewers collectively gave "Predator: Badlands" a 7/10 rating, marking it as a successful addition to the Predator franchise, especially when compared to recent entries like The Predator. The host praised the film for managing to weave in deep lore elements, such as different Predator clans and their honor systems (like the concept of earning a glaive or cloak), without feeling forced. The characterization of the main Predator antagonist, Deck (the Hunter), was highly lauded; he is portrayed as a serious, honor-bound warrior seeking a trophy, rather than just a mindless killer, which the reviewers found much more engaging than the 'monster' trope. The visual aspects, including the creature design, the jungle setting, and the action sequences, were generally well-received as a 'visual treat.' However, the film was not flawless; the reviewers noted that some of the comedic moments and attempts at 'lighthearted' banter felt slightly cringe-worthy or too Disney-like, which momentarily pulled them out of the immersion. Despite these minor flaws, the film's successful execution of the core Predator themes—survival, honor, and intense action—resulted in a solid recommendation for fans of the franchise.