I do not know a lot of Predator deep lore, other than the original, Prey is my preferred Predator story. The anthology format was a large part of the appeal in Predator:Killer of Killers.. It’s features three tales of Predators taking on bad-ass warriors in different points in history. Which of Earth’s most storied fighters stands a chance against our favorite intergalactic hunter? All of them it turns out.

• Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg. Joshua Wassung
• Written by: Micho Robert Rutare. Dan Trachtenberg Jim Thomas
• Starring: Louis Ozawa Lindsay LaVanchy Rick Gonzalez

Humans V Predators

The key to fighting Predators in historical settings is in thehuman ability to gain environmental advantages and outsmart their larger, more technologically advanced opponent.  It should make for great strategic battles where the underdog overcomes through willpower, homefield advantage, and a bit of luck.  These fights should reveal the character of our humans. Their intelligence, perseverance and resilience. Those elements don’t really come across in Killer of Killers.

In a short format, there’s precious little time to tell a full story, which is why it’s immediately odd that they chose to use so much of it to develop characters that don’t really matter.  Every bit of tortured, over-dramatic flashback is time not spent on better fight scenes, developing how the Predator fits in this world, or making the battle and its aftermath feel meaningful to the characters.

The Big Problems

It’s also a shame that there is something so same-y about the first two stories. Childhood trauma, vengeance, heavy reliance on stereotypes, and a freedom from historical accuracy. I realize I am complaining about realism in a movie featuring killer aliens. The reason I am doing this, is because the historical discrepancies are deeply unnecessary.  Nothing changes by getting the dates correct.

That’s not the biggest issue with the first two tales. While the historical setting and motivations of the characters are different, the overall beats also feel the same. After the set up and the intro fight that established how bad ass the main fighter really is, the Predator reveals himself to be the real monster all along. A final confrontation tailored around our human fighters’ strengths results in teamwork and a tragic loss.

The repetition wouldn’t be too big of a problem if the animation justified it.  It’s not as smooth or fluid as a project with this level of fight scenes should be. 

It’s Not Pretty

Characters move at a different frame rate than scenery. I was able to get used to it, but H3 hated it.   There is something janky about the animation here. The characters are out sync with the environment, like they are not fully in it.  Some sequences work well; others are awkward and off-putting. It’s worth noting that this was the studio’s first feature-length project; until then, they had worked on effects.

The last story is probably the most visually interesting since it’s a WWII dogfight.  It makes good use of a mechanic figuring out ahead of time that something has going wrong, and the pilots are not alone in the sky.  The quality of the storytelling is about on par with the other chapters, but at least the aerial combat is a new element.

A Fight is a Conversation – Or It Should Be

I wish Predator: Killer of Killers had explored more what combat could have looked like against Predators in other environments and other times in history. Were there locations that the technologically advanced hunters would have been ill suited for?  Were there locations that the technologically advanced hunters would have been ill-suited for?  Or did these particular stories just not capture what they intended to? The cold battles of the Viking-flavored segment could have been much more interesting, given the Predator’s reliance on his thermal imaging.  It’s one element in the fight, but it’s not a sequence that feels as smart or as savage as the character demands.

Same with our ninja vs. samurai sequence. While each Predator is visually tailored to fit their human opponents, the fights themselves lack true character.  This fight was never going to be easy to choreograph. Predator’s tech offsets all of the ninja’s strengths.. It’s also a fight that starts in close quarters, another limiting factor.  The combat quickly changes location, but little else.

This is a problem because it makes the historical setting matter much less than it should. Why is it important to have a Viking, ninja, and a WWII fighter pilot, if the core elements of those eras, locations, and fighting styles aren’t being honored?  

Ending Sequence

Once they introduce the main characters, it’s time for the main event. The three fighters, previously captured and released from suspended animation, are now fighting to the death in order to earn the privilege of facing off against a bigger, meaner Predator. Which I guess makes sense. They’ve already killed the Predators they faced in their respective timelines (but were still captured at some point anyway). So, the logic holds up. Part of this may be from my lack of deep Predator knowledge, but this doesn’t feel very “right”.   I think of Predators as hunters, not gladiators. I know the comics and other media explore so much more of the lore.  I’m just past the point where I want to do homework to enjoy a franchise. This one is on me, I get that.

Also, the dialogue is terrible.  I didn’t necessarily expect the best, but this is cheesy. Which is sad since the original is one of the most quotable movies from its era.

Final Thoughts:

The impression that Predator: Killer of Killers left me with was that it was set up. A lead up to a more interesting story to be told at a later date. That’s not a great feeling to have.

I try really hard to judge movies and TV shows on their own merits, and I’ll admit I might have failed here. Instead of a brainless, Predator-flavored action movie, what I really wanted was Deadliest Warrior Vs Predator. This isn’t that.  Can someone make that?

Predator: Killer of Killers is on Hulu.

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