REVIEW: PREDATOR - KILLER OF KILLERS

4/5

Predatory Warfare

90 Mins. Starring: Lindsay LaVanchy, Louis Ozawa, Rick Gonzalez & Michael Biehn. Screenplay: Micho Robert Rutare. Director: Dan Trachtenberg. On: Disney +.

Killing it in animation, director Dan Trachtenberg may be to the 'Predator' franchise, what Dave Filoni is to the 'Star Wars' one. Following the success of the perfect 'Prey' on Hulu, back in 2022 (WHAT?!), Trachtenberg reinvigorated the dreadlocks of the franchise Arnold Schwarzenegger made "GET TO DA CHOPPA" famous, with a sequel to follow all those DVD ordering confusing titles, that didn't even use the name. Sure, ever since Danny Glover got "too old for this s###" in 'Predator 2', we've had some fun films. Especially the previous one. But as much of 'The Brutalist' that Oscar winner Adrien Brody is, we need something a little stronger to go up against those heat-seeking three dots. Now, before Trachtenberg's highly-anticipated sequel, 'Predator: Badlands' heads into the killing fields this fall, Dan the man has one more sweet surprise for us on Disney Plus. 'Predator: Killer Of Killers'.

An adult animated science fiction action horror anthology film, that's quite a mouthful to get your mandibles into, this sixth film and eight instalment overall finally gives 'Predator' the arsenal to go up against 'Alien' (which has its own 'Earth' bound TV series coming to Hulu, following last year's run of 'Romulus'). Let alone other cult sci-fi IP's like 'Planet Of The Apes', or 'Mad Max' for this 'Rambo' like hunter of invisible game. With a screenplay from Micho Robert Rutare, Trachtenberg's terrific second act of his own 'Predator' trilogy is animated in more ways than one from The Third Floor production company (founded by artists who worked together on 'Star Wars'' 'Revenge Of The Sith'). Told in three acts, with a sweet surprise to come after, this Easter seeker also stars the voices of Lindsay LaVanchy, Louis Ozawa and Rick Gonzalez. Ozawa actually starring in 'Predators' himself, for one. Not to mention Sgt. Kyle Reese, Cpl Dwanye Hicks and Lt. Coffey himself, 'The Terminator', 'Aliens' and 'The Abyss' legend Michael Biehn, for all you comic convention favourites.

Akin to 'The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim' animation from the fall, Jim and John Thomas' classic characters look amazing on animation. Much to rival a Japanese anime. And just wait until you get your katanas into the samurai's second act in fedual Japan. Preceded by some Norse mythology that could even hammer down Loki and Thor and followed by the aerial assault of the second world war that could even combat with the top gun of Netflix's own science-fiction anthology series 'Love, Death + Robot's' own 'How Zeke Got Religion' from last month. And the differing, but definitive Predators themselves are absolute beasts. Whether facing axe, sword or the blades of a plane, these scout ships cloak this cinematic cartoon with classic, compelling trappings. The 3D Unreal Engine animation, on the other hand, takes inspiration from everything from Katsuhiro Otomo's legendary Japanese anime 'Akira', to Netflix's anything but archaic 'Arcane' series. And what results is one of the best looking 'Predators' you've ever seen. You are one beautiful looking motherf###er! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Predator: Badlands', 'Prey', 'The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim'.