If it ain’t broke…

the familiar phrase is missing conceptually here, as the predator films evolve into adult animation. but, gone are the vibes from the original predator films of the 80’s, or either Predators or The Predator, and instead this builds a bit more on the concept Dan trachtenberg so successfully ran with a few years ago in Prey. take something we know, but instead of throwing more soldiers with guns, send him back to fight other kinds of warriors. They even used the reversal of time to show that the aliens also had some less perfected technology. Prey was excellent, a surprise, and caused a sequel that is going to theatres this fall instead of straight to Hulu. predator is cool again, but does Killer of Killers help?

Prey opened up a wealth of possibilities to show the same scenario in different points in time. if the hunter versus Native American warriors was cool, then what about all the other periods? could they fight the centurion of Rome? What if they took on knights in the medieval period? Killer Of Killers takes three ideas and runs with them. So, we see what a hunter versus Vikings, versus ninjas in feudal Japan, and the American Air Force during World War II. In each sequence we have a character at the center, and the film takes time to develop a little bit of story and background, before dropping a hunter in their path.

Every fighter was missing a parent, or both, and that relationship seemed to drive their characters. This familial connection pushed them further. they are in three different time periods and speak three different languages. But, they all have one thing in mind, the ability to outsmart the hunter, and avoid being its prey.

There’s a method to the madness that really is the third act of the film, but that would be too laden with spoilers to even discuss. I have to tip my hat to pixelLogic and Laura Post for a bloody great description track. this film is pretty brutal, and is not for kids despite the medium. Characters are decapitated, cut in half, lose limbs, and die in many gory kills. there’s something about the anthology nature that makes it feel like a streaming film, and not something we would see in theaters, even if i did like this more than the animated Lord Of The rings, which did go to theaters.

it isn’t Prey, nor is it the original predator. but it does take the best of both concepts and blends it into one individual experience that keeps audiences primed for more. What was once a struggling franchise is now alive and well, which is something so many other long running franchises need. It’s been a while since we’ve visited Elm street or Camp Crystal Lake. The Hellraiser reboot didn’t seem to restart the franchise, and Halloween was brought back and killed nearly as quickly. Alien Earth, following the well recieved Alien Romulus is set to help that franchise, but Dan Trachtenberg might need to inspire some other dead or dying killers to take a page from Prey. While he didn’t direct this animated entry, it owes everything to him anyway.

Fresh: Final Grade: 7.7/10