Predator: Killer of Killers

I genuinely didn't know what to expect from this, turning a live action property into animation doesn't always work. That being said, this was absolutely amazing. I loved the animation style, the sound design, especially for the predator was excellent, the different settings, the voice acting was on point, the action absolutely top notch, as to be expected. Of course the storylines of the 3 vignettes were a bit lacking, some better than others, but who comes into a predator movie for the riveting story telling? This really was a legitimate predator movie, and did the titilur character justice. Very gory, great pacing, I highly recommend this.

So the very first episode the viking is running around killing people with BROKEN WOODEN SHIELDS. How strong would someone have to be to hack of heads and limbs with broken shields?!? Like seriously did they get the idea for this from Elden Ring or Assassin's Creed Valhalla?? Also the bad guys went to the Prometheus School of attacking one at a time. I was confused as to why the writing was so atrociously bad until I remember this was done by the person that wrote Prey. I know Vikings were pretty handy in a fight, but to imply one would run around with two broken shields instead of spear and shield? Axe and shield? Sword and shield?

If Prey's journey into the past ignited your imagination for more Predator encounters across diverse historical landscapes, then brace yourself. Predator: Killer of Killers takes that very fan desire and crafts something truly epic: a breathtakingly animated anthology where individual tales of survival and savagery cleverly weave together into a larger, interconnected narrative.

This isn't just a collection of standalone "what ifs." The film presents a series of visually stunning and distinct animated shorts, each plunging us into a different era to witness new warriors confronting the relentless Yautja. The animation itself is a masterclass - incredibly stylish, dynamic, and unafraid to depict the brutal reality of a Predator hunt. While each segment offers a unique and thrilling glimpse into a specific confrontation across time, they are designed to gradually converge, with threads and characters building towards a more encompassing storyline. This ambitious structure, showcasing varied settings and conflicts while still telling a cohesive, broader story, is where the animated medium truly shines, offering a scope that would be a colossal undertaking in live-action.

Be warned: this is an intense, mature-audience experience that revels in the ferocity of its premise. It's wildly creative, visually spectacular, and a visceral thrill from start to finish. For fans who've longed to see the Predator's lethal prowess tested across history, Predator: Killer of Killers delivers not just isolated skirmishes, but a cleverly constructed saga of interconnected hunts.

From the animation, cinematography, choreography, score, messaging, and overall themes this movie does it all by sticking to a familiar formula and character tropes in a flawless way that makes for what unironically might be the best predator movie. The pacing is also very good for Its 80 minute run time. The film is so good at conveying what it's trying to be that for a quarter of the runtime there is little to no dialogue and yet you understand everything. Whether you're a fan of the predator franchise, wanting to get into it, or just want to turn on a gory, fun animated flick this film has it all!

Stepping into an animated Predator experience, one anticipates a certain level of visceral thrill. This film delivers: the animation itself is exceptionally stylish, painting each frame with a polished sheen, and the action sequences unfold with brutal, well-choreographed fluidity. Visually, it's often stunning, from the glint of alien blades to the stark landscapes. The pacing, effective in its quick jumps from era to era, initially promises a sprawling, epic hunt.

However, and I realize this might sound a bit contrarian given its visual appeal, my core expectation for substantive storytelling found itself at odds with the film's execution. While I often appreciate simplicity, Killer of Killers veers into being too paint-by-numbers for its own good. The initial two chapters, though visually distinct - one draped in the furs and steel of 841 A. D. Scandinavia amid clashing Viking war parties, the other sharp with the silks and swords of 1609 feudal Japan as samurai duel - quickly reveal strikingly similar narrative beats. Each sees a protagonist on a quest for revenge, dispatching numerous foes, only for a Predator to suddenly appear with little narrative justification, leading to a mirrored, predictable resolution. The repetition dulls any potential for surprise.

Worse, the characters inhabiting these vivid backdrops are frustratingly undernourished archetypes, given little room for genuine psychological complexity or authentic emotional depth. Their struggles feel shallow, failing to justify any true investment. The third chapter, set against the grim backdrop of World War 2, suffers even more dramatically; its protagonist, Torres, seems to exist merely to fly, and then flies to save comrades from a Predator in a flying vessel. Action and gore are plentiful - from the spray of blood against ancient stone to the metallic whine of alien tech - but the narrative content is sparse. The predictable finale attempts to tie these disparate threads together, hitting familiar "work together instead of fighting amongst ourselves" notes that feel more like an obligatory Avengers trope than an earned thematic conclusion.

Ultimately, I'm not upset by Predator: Killer of Killers; it certainly offers moments of visual spectacle and satisfies the primal urge for creature-feature action. But for me, it simply doesn't deliver enough narratively or thematically to earn more than a recommendation as a casual diversion. I suspect, however, that it may be the straightforward, action-heavy romp that many viewers are looking for.