Predator: Killer of Killers Review Falls Short Despite Fan Hype

by

Over the years, the Predator series has faced its fair share of difficulties in maintaining its course. But then, with the arrival of Prey (regrettably exclusively on streaming platforms), the story of these cosmic hunters was given a fresh breath of life. This revival sparked countless debates among fans about where they’d like to see the Predator storyline head next: feudal Japan, Viking times, and so much more. It seemed as though the creative minds behind Predator were listening, but what they ultimately produced, Predator: Killer of Killers, unfortunately fell flat in realizing all that potential.

In a thrill that any dedicated Predator fan would understand, I dived into “Predator: Killer of Killers,” an animated anthology that presents three distinct tales of humans confronting the infamous extraterrestrial hunters across different eras. The concept is exactly what we’ve been eagerly anticipating, but with a twist that might leave us saying, “Well, not exactly as expected!”

The animation, although animated, falls short in terms of quality and flow. The narrative, too, struggles under the burden of its format. “Killer of Killers” may not scale the great heights the franchise has reached, but it’s certainly not as disappointing as some of the less successful installments.

Predator: Killer of Killer’s Anthology Format Is A Weakness

Each story suffers from a lack of tension and characterization (with one exception)

Titled “Predator: Slayer of Slayers,” this production, jointly helmed by Daniel Trachtenberg, who previously directed “Prey,” and Joshua Wassung, commences with a Viking-style tale of vengeance that is abruptly halted by the colossal figure of a Predator. The story follows Ursa, a formidable and resolute leader, as she endeavors to mold her son, Anders, into a killer much like herself. This intriguing setup offers a glimpse into Ursa’s heart-wrenching past, which shapes her present persona and bond with Anders significantly.

The action is quite spectacular, particularly during an intense, single-shot sequence (that likely would have been even more impactful in live-action). However, when the Predator enters the scene, Ursa’s narrative seems to lose momentum. The battle between them is fierce, and it underscores the ingenuity and creativity humans must employ to survive against such formidable opponents. Unfortunately, this tale lacks an emotional climax. The mother-son relationship doesn’t provide a satisfying resolution, and before long, Killer of Killers is already on to its next adventure, which, fortunately, turns out to be more engaging than the previous one.

In the second chapter, an alternate antagonist disrupts a sibling rivalry set in 1700s Japan. The twin brothers Kenji and Kiyoshi share an extraordinary bond that disintegrates when their father forces them to compete against each other as children. As they grow older, one brother ascends to power as a samurai leader, while the other plots revenge using the stealthy art of ninjutsu. This setup offers a more intriguing dynamic, and it is primarily narrated through actions rather than dialogue, allowing the story to unfold dramatically.

In comparison to the other two narratives, this piece leans heavily into the animated genre, making it particularly captivating. While it maintains an underlying emotional thread with the brothers, it’s the action and decisions of the characters that drive the plot, much like the recent sci-fi film “No One Will Save You.” The story begins with a thrilling sequence where the ninja brother attempts to infiltrate the samurai compound unnoticed. However, things don’t go exactly as planned, and he works tirelessly to stay hidden until it becomes impossible. This moment is both enjoyable and playful, set against the backdrop of a rather violent tale. The story makes effective use of Predator’s combat skills, more so than the Viking segment. Furthermore, its ending carries significant emotional impact and is presented in a strikingly beautiful manner that leaves a lasting impression.

Following that, the third part of “Predator: Master of Masters” unfortunately loses momentum. It’s disappointing that the series didn’t end on a more impactful note, as the final Earth-based tale left me with a sense of detachment. In this installment, we shift from direct confrontations to an aerial skirmish, where a young aspiring pilot named Torres engages in a dogfight against a Predator during World War II. There’s potential for an intriguing twist here, as a human takes on a Predator in an unconventional way, but the execution leaves much to be desired.

The main flaw in the third chapter of the film lies with the character of Torres. He’s not particularly engaging, and his habit of talking to himself whenever he needs to solve a problem during this segment clashes harshly with the dialogue-free second chapter. This results in a situation where telling is used instead of showing, which doesn’t work effectively at all. It’s unfortunate because Torres’s plane is already in poor condition and he has to constantly improvise repairs during the battle. However, Torres himself isn’t interesting enough for these repair scenes to feel urgent. This weak chapter serves as a lead-up to the actual climax of the movie. Without giving away too much, the ending ties together rather unimpressively, further emphasizing how grating Torres can be compared to the other two characters.

Predator: Killer of Killers never overcomes its flaws

In terms of the Predator series, it’s unlikely that “Hunter of Hunters” is the strongest film (that title might go to “Predator 2” or more recently “The Predator”), but it doesn’t exactly earn its place. One aspect that doesn’t aid its appeal is the animation style, which comes across as rigid and lacking in flair, even during action-packed scenes. The anthology structure could have been more effective if each segment had a distinct look (for instance, like the seamless transitions in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”), but that would make it much more challenging to connect them all cohesively at the end.

Essentially, the film “Predator: Killer of Killers” serves to underscore the superiority of the Alien series, which has had more cinematic releases and has developed a richer mythology over time. The Predator movies have consistently played second fiddle to the Alien franchise, and ventures like “Killer of Killers” as well as the streaming release of “Prey” continue to reinforce this trend. The Yautja creatures and their human adversaries deserve more attention, and so do fans of this series.

Predator: Killer of Killers streams on Hulu on June 6th.

Read More

2025-06-06 06:04