Predator: Badlands 2025

Dan Trachtenberg delivers a feast for the eyes. Everything in the first half of this movie had me leaning in. Some of the best CGI I've seen in while with some ripping fight scenes (someone put Mick Gordon tracks on top of these fights I beg you). It also had one of my favourites aspects of Alien Earth: the messed up fauna. I loved getting introduced to all these weird creatures and how they fit into every hunt. BUT Everything that had to do with Weyland was badly handled imo. There was a serious need for more humans on the Weyland expedition as well as more analog tech. Fede Alvarez showed us what Weyland tech is supposed to look like, it needed way more grit in this movie. Furthermore, the synths in this miss the mark so bad. Our main synth character especially. Just way too human in every way. Lots of feelings and emotions. Michael Fassbender nailed the synth acting and this movie gave us the blandest version of that. What makes these guys Weyland and not some generic sci fi bad guys? Where are the smoking engineers complaint about their bonus?! Even Prometheus and Covenant gave us more interesting Weyland crew. Overall I recommend it, just don't expect Predator 1 or even 2. (also I know that Bud was the token 'cute creature' we get in most blockbusters these days but I love her with all my heart. She no nasty)