By Darius
When I'm feeling somewhat dissatisfied with my mental state, popcorn movies are often my go-to choice. These films typically feature plots with ups and downs that aren't too mentally taxing, settings that are novel but not bizarre, character relationships that feel authentic without being overly sentimental, and a considerable degree of visual appeal.
As a sci-fi enthusiast, the recently released Predator: Badlands was truly a must-watch for me. This kind of popcorn movie, involving alien creatures, high technology, and complex settings, indeed holds a strong appeal.
A brawler's game
The legend of the Predator begins with Arnold Schwarzenegger's film. As the foundational work of the series, the movie established the Predators as a powerful, dangerous, and highly competitive alien race obsessed with strength and combat, skilled at using terrain, equipment, and tactics for hunting. The lore of this race was gradually fleshed out in subsequent films, eventually even crossing over with another major sci-fi IP—Alien—resulting in several movies with an "extraterrestrial colosseum" theme. Although these crossovers received some criticism from professionals, they became a favorite topic of conversation among many fans.
I once discussed with a netizen why the Predator, which appears exceptionally ferocious and extremely muscular, feels more "human" compared to the slender and silent Xenomorph. His answer was: "The Xenomorph is more like a beast, lacking humanity, acting without any discernible pattern. Also, its form is too slender, unlike a human being, and you never know when it might strike or kill someone, showing hostility towards any living thing."
"The Predator, however, is different. They have a clan culture, technological development, and they somewhat follow rules. If you're an enemy, they'll fight to the death; if you're an ally, they will never betray you. In the Alien vs. Predator movie, the female lead could eventually team up with a Predator to fight the Alien horde, but I simply can't imagine any humans cooperating with those Xenomorphs—that's nonsense!"
It's no exaggeration to say that I'm familiar with all the movies about Predators. Unlike the Xenomorphs, which lurk in the darkness and reveal their killing intent at any moment, Predators are known for their immense strength, advanced technology, and a sometimes seemingly archaic "code of honor." Although Predators may lack some of the philosophical depth associated with the Xenomorphs, their greater similarity to humans, combined with their far superior strength, often leads to spectacular fight scenes. At the same time, Predators often possess certain commendable traits: many Predators will refrain from attacking humans who are terminally ill or unarmed. This could be interpreted as not wanting to waste energy on non-threatening targets, or it could be seen as an element of their cultural "code of honor." Respecting strength but disliking bullying the weak is one of the reasons many people have come to like this alien race.
'Getting it just right' is really hard
Minor spoilers ahead, please be advised.
In this latest film, we don't see human characters among the main group. Instead, there are three oddballs: the male lead is a young, relatively small-statured Predator (Yautja); the female lead is a synthetic with rich emotions; and another "main character" is a native species (I'll just call it the "blue monkey"). What made me delighted was that the director didn't incorporate any romantic subplots while depicting their relationships; the fact that an alien, a synthetic, and a little monkey can form emotional bonds is novel enough—no need to add strange elements into the mix.
The plot itself isn't new, revolving around themes of familial strife, empathy among kindred spirits, and the quest for self-worth—topics that have been explored repeatedly. As a Predator, the male lead lacks innate talent and is relatively small in stature, leading to his expulsion from his clan and by his father, and the death of his brother, who protected him. While exploring an alien world, the male lead accidentally saves the female synthetic, who was on a survey mission but got attacked and was left with only her upper body. He also unexpectedly encounters the small but combat-capable "blue monkey," embarking on an unexpected hunt.
As the plot progresses, we discover, as a synthetic, the female lead is overly emotional, and her greatest wish is actually to reunite with her "sister." As for the "blue monkey," it was separated from its mother early on, left alone and helpless, and could only follow the male lead. Thus, we see that all three main characters are trapped in their own family issues. But later, the audience learns that, for the male and female leads, family isn't always reliable; after a series of adventures, the bond between the three deepens, and they become "family" in the truest sense.
How many movies in recent years have waved the banner of "family"? From The Fast and the Furious to Avatar: The Way of Water, family is always an unavoidable topic. But if the term is overemphasized, it can become excessive. This movie does the opposite; it barely mentions the word "family," yet it uses the interactions between the protagonists to embody genuine familial affection, which is extremely fitting.
At the same time, the main group doesn't make overly foolish decisions. The male lead is initially inexperienced and appears very reckless, but he has a strong learning ability, adapting to combat and hunting on an alien planet in a very short time. The final revenge segment showcases astonishing tactical prowess, demonstrating that although his physical gifts are limited, he uses his brain to become a sophisticated fighter. Initially treating the female lead as a tool, he later willingly confronts enemies alone for her and the "blue monkey," showing mental growth. The female lead initially holds naive illusions about familial bonds, but after these illusions are shattered, she resolutely chooses to help the male lead and can easily empathize with others. These shining qualities certainly place her among the top portrayals of "synthetic" characters in film. As for our cute monkey friend, although it initially fights our male lead upon meeting, it can set aside past grievances to assist the male and female leads at critical moments and join the battle in the showdown, demonstrating considerable intelligence.
Nowadays, having seen enough characters who "seem to have a death wish," audiences can easily develop a fondness for these three characters who are both intellectually and emotionally consistent. This also reflects the film's wisdom: it doesn't introduce absurd actions merely to drive the plot, but instead lets things unfold naturally. Even for a popcorn movie that you don't need to think too hard about, people don't want to see irrational plot developments. After all, expecting to hear words like "lovey-dovey stuff" or "family" from the fierce Predators or the logic-driven synthetic, or seeing them inexplicably do stupid things, would be harder to swallow than killing them off!
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