Hideo Kojima, the acclaimed video game director and filmmaker, has fervently praised the new movie Predator: Badlands, directed by Dan Trachtenberg. This film is the second of the year within the iconic Predator franchise, following Predator: Killer of Killers. Starring Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, the film focuses on a synthetic from Weyland-Yutani and a young Yautja, respectively.
An excellent movie in the eyes of the Japanese
Kojima, who recently experienced an accident that caused him back pain, shared his viewing experience on Twitter, highlighting that he is equipped with a “secret weapon”: an inflatable lumbar cushion. Despite his discomfort, he enjoyed the 107-minute screening, rating the movie as “great”.
Additionally, the director praised Trachtenberg’s previous work on Prey, a reboot that, in his opinion, managed to masterfully reflect the style of the classic from 1987. According to Kojima, Predator: Badlands continues this evolution, developing a more character-focused approach, such as the Predator Dek and his companion Thia, played by Fanning. This new installment moves away from the traditional hunting and horror narrative, offering an action-comedy experience that emphasizes friendship amidst conflict.
The renowned Japanese creator added that the film incorporates elements that are characteristic of contemporary Japanese manga, such as those found in Weekly Shonen Jump. He also mentioned the palpable influence of video games on the film’s aesthetics, pointing to a new direction that Hollywood can take under the guidance of a generation of filmmakers who have grown up with anime and gaming culture.
Kojima encourages young anime fans, who often avoid Hollywood live-action productions, to give Predator: Badlands a chance. With his “ugly face,” Dek manages to emotionally engage the viewer from the very first scene.
