ReelBob: ‘Prey’ ★★★

By Bob Bloom

“Prey” is the most pulse-pounding and exciting entry in the “Predator” franchise since the 1987 original.

Two aspects make “Prey” compelling viewing — its setting and protagonist.

Unlike “Predator” and its increasing inferior sequels, which took place in contemporary times, “Prey” takes place in September 1719 on the Great Plains. This allows for an uncomplicated, vicious, plot that’s easy to follow.

The lead character is Naru, a young Comanche woman who is an excellent tracker who yearns to join the young warriors as a hunter.

Pitting so-called primitive people armed with hatchets, knives and bows and arrows against an alien with advanced technology makes for exciting and edge-of-your-seat viewing.

Naru first senses the unknown presence when she joins a band of braves led by her older brother, Taabe, to hunt a lion that has badly mauled a brave.

She finds mutilated animals and understands the signs that point to an unfamiliar danger, but her warnings are ignored by the others simply because she is a girl.

The movie, co-authored and directed by Dan Trachtenberg (“10 Cloverfield Lane”), is not just a sci-fi thriller.

It deals with the encroachment of “civilization” — a band of French trappers who slaughter buffalo for their hides and leave the carcasses to rot — and the roles and expectations for women in the Comanche culture.

The bulk of “Prey,” though is the cat-and-mouse endeavors of Naru and the Predator. At many junctures, each serves as either the hunter or the hunted.

While various parties of braves and, later, French forces attack the alien head-on, Naru observes, slowly noting and coming to realize the Predator’s vulnerabilities.

She also learns how to load and use a single-shot pistol from a wounded Frenchman whom she treated.

With the help of Taabe and her dog, Siri, Naru is able to prevail and rise in esteem in her tribe.

As Naru, Amber Midthunder is smart, courageous and fearless. She is a fighter to whom “Alien’s” Ripley would tip her cap.

Midthunder exudes a quiet confidence and certainty in her abilities as a hunter and a warrior.

Also notable is Dakota Beavers as Taabe. He avoids the big-brother stereotype, balancing being protective as well as being aware of his sister’s assets in battling the alien.

The Comanche Nation’s authenticity in the film is because of the efforts of Jhane Myers, “Prey’s” producer and a Comanche and Blackfeet artist. A lot of scenes are spoken in the Comanche language — without subtitles.

The movie’s two drawbacks are its slow first act — which tries to instill some unwarranted mystery, since we know from almost the outset who the antagonist is — and the less-than-stellar special effects and CGI work, which detracts from the film’s overall atmosphere.

“Prey” is very bloody and violent, but don’t let that dissuade you from viewing it on Hulu, where it debuted on Aug. 5. “Prey” is a great reason to stay indoors.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, 4K UHD, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook at ReelBob.com or the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My movie reviews also can be found at Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.

PREY
3 stars out of 4
(R), intense bloody violence