Digital Claret
The CGI animals look like, well, CGI animals. Particularly the snake, lion and the bear. Could they not have brought in professional animal trainers for authenticity and better screen presence? One wonders. This was standard decades ago. Why not today in a multi-million dollar picture? One wonders. In other news: couldn't have the protagonist at least fashioned a moderate Native accent, like the actor who played her brother? As it is, she most decidedly provides the clear impression of a teenage girl comfortably aware of modern amenities, certainly not the idea of someone from the 18th century.
The score and cinematography often compliment each other by fashioning some kind of black comedy stylism. Unfortunately, the film offers little comedy or subversion. This points to something of a missed opportunity. Instead, the film takes itself largely serious, but without any distinct depth to speak of. However, what is nice to look at in this film is simply its sprawling nature. The colours and shots are a bit too pristine, like a 1000 other films of the modern time, but there's little else positive to recommend. That's a little unfair. The escape from the sinking sand in the swamp was the first time you might feel engaged with Prey. However, this was nearly at the 40-minute mark. The lead's physical retaliation against her oppressive male peers was also kind of exciting, even if the mental fight to equal them is too belaboured. When French settlers come into the story a better dimension is introduced, actually offering up a tense horror piece. The film then quickly devolves into en masse slaying, not at all bucking the trend of sequelitis, à la Hellraiser 3. It's a rather silly sequence. At least the other film knew it was having fun. The commentary on the patriarchy is the film's main plight, which could have served better as subtext. Surely, this is because the immediate threat is that of a volatile alien with advanced hunting weaponry, as opposed to male dominance. Since this is a contemporary vehicle, the inner meaning predictably must be pointed and prodded at until it's quite dead, and it has little or no impact on the viewer after a while.
I imagine the praise for Prey comes from critics gushing over this radical narrative shift, rather than from fans of the franchise, especially of the first film featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It also seems unlikely to acquire new fans, as it never quite commits wholeheartedly or authentically to its historical premise. An attempt to add some kind of prestige to an ailing franchise thuds flat on its face with copious amounts of CGI claret. We didn't even have time to touch upon the sound effects which lean far too bombastic during the ever occurring acts of limb removal. And what of the Predator? A CGI mess of lava and digital ash. When it's not digital it looks and walks like a man in a suit without any of the original's menace. The fight scene between it and the teenage protagonist at the end is fairly well-done, despite all being said.
In summation: Unnecessary use of CGI; the clouds, spaceship, and snake all look like they're from an expensive computer game, but not a movie. The cinematography is pristine, like a thousand productions, before and after, and not offering up much artistry, despite the beauty of a natural setting. The acting is fine, but the character interactions at times seem snappy and modern, rather than from 18th Century Native American. In general, there is a whiff of historical reenactment or even cosplay. The film lacks substantial grit to suspend disbelief. Why do all the characters have immaculate skin? You'll find neither a blemish, animal wound, or soiled piece of clothing in Prey. Only sanitisation.
The score and cinematography often compliment each other by fashioning some kind of black comedy stylism. Unfortunately, the film offers little comedy or subversion. This points to something of a missed opportunity. Instead, the film takes itself largely serious, but without any distinct depth to speak of. However, what is nice to look at in this film is simply its sprawling nature. The colours and shots are a bit too pristine, like a 1000 other films of the modern time, but there's little else positive to recommend. That's a little unfair. The escape from the sinking sand in the swamp was the first time you might feel engaged with Prey. However, this was nearly at the 40-minute mark. The lead's physical retaliation against her oppressive male peers was also kind of exciting, even if the mental fight to equal them is too belaboured. When French settlers come into the story a better dimension is introduced, actually offering up a tense horror piece. The film then quickly devolves into en masse slaying, not at all bucking the trend of sequelitis, à la Hellraiser 3. It's a rather silly sequence. At least the other film knew it was having fun. The commentary on the patriarchy is the film's main plight, which could have served better as subtext. Surely, this is because the immediate threat is that of a volatile alien with advanced hunting weaponry, as opposed to male dominance. Since this is a contemporary vehicle, the inner meaning predictably must be pointed and prodded at until it's quite dead, and it has little or no impact on the viewer after a while.
I imagine the praise for Prey comes from critics gushing over this radical narrative shift, rather than from fans of the franchise, especially of the first film featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It also seems unlikely to acquire new fans, as it never quite commits wholeheartedly or authentically to its historical premise. An attempt to add some kind of prestige to an ailing franchise thuds flat on its face with copious amounts of CGI claret. We didn't even have time to touch upon the sound effects which lean far too bombastic during the ever occurring acts of limb removal. And what of the Predator? A CGI mess of lava and digital ash. When it's not digital it looks and walks like a man in a suit without any of the original's menace. The fight scene between it and the teenage protagonist at the end is fairly well-done, despite all being said.
In summation: Unnecessary use of CGI; the clouds, spaceship, and snake all look like they're from an expensive computer game, but not a movie. The cinematography is pristine, like a thousand productions, before and after, and not offering up much artistry, despite the beauty of a natural setting. The acting is fine, but the character interactions at times seem snappy and modern, rather than from 18th Century Native American. In general, there is a whiff of historical reenactment or even cosplay. The film lacks substantial grit to suspend disbelief. Why do all the characters have immaculate skin? You'll find neither a blemish, animal wound, or soiled piece of clothing in Prey. Only sanitisation.
- stugood-07006
- Aug 1, 2023