5 differences between the Prey Predator and the classic 1987 Schwarzenegger version

Realism

It’s funny, but the term “realism” can really be applied to an alien that looks like a tick with dreadlocks. Remember the Predator’s first appearance in the old movie – it happens almost in the middle of the story. The fighter silently watches a detachment of soldiers from the trees during the first half of the timekeeping and does not give himself away in any way. Towards the end, it turns out that the alien still emits a distinctive chirping of jaws, which is hard to confuse with the sounds of the jungle or animals. In the 1987 movie, the Predator only made noise when it was beneficial to the writers, but now everything is different.

In “Prey” the well-known scream remained, but now the alien publishes it constantly. Obviously, the sound has been conceived as a feature of physiology, so even an invisible fighter is still recognizable. And through the echo in the forest, the heroes will hear it even from a great distance.

Dimensions

The predator easily lifts an adult man with one handThe predator easily lifts an adult man with one hand

A huge predator. He is much larger and more massive than even the “Schwartz”, which cannot be compared with ordinary people. At the same time, in the classics, the dimensions of the alien are almost not felt. It flutters like a butterfly through the thin trees of the jungle, almost without disturbing the fauna. Imagine a six-foot pitcher jumping over vines, and you’ll understand how clunky the Predator’s movements would look in reality.

In “Production” thought this moment. The alien is really big and heavy. He fights hand in hand with the bear and wins – though not without difficulty. The space mite warrior only jumps through the trees a few times throughout the movie. Although the villain shows wonders of dexterity, it is felt that it is much more convenient for him to move around the earth. The dimensions are perfectly palpable in hand-to-hand combat. Adult males spread like cones, so in a direct confrontation there is little to counter the Predator.

Equipment

Shoot shoulder cannon analog much slowerShoot shoulder cannon analog much slower

“Prey” is still a prequel, it would be foolish to make an alien exactly the same as a few hundred years later. The Predator’s outfit is much simpler than in the 1987 film. The mask is not metal, but bone; almost no armor. The helmet does not completely cover the lower jaw, the alien perfectly tolerates the Earth’s atmosphere.

The Predator Iron Mask from 1987 still looks really coolThe Predator Iron Mask from 1987 still looks really cool

But the arsenal of a more modern alien turned out to be much smaller than that of an ancestor. In Prey, the Predator uses not only the famous hand blades, but also a full-fledged expandable shield, a spear, a spinning blade and many different gadgets: grenades, tapered mesh and a blood-stopping machine.

Bracer with grenades. Almost the same was in the 1987 movieBracer with grenades. Almost the same was in the 1987 movie

In the original movie, there was a scene where the alien healed his wounds with a first aid kit, but the new movie shows that the process is simpler and more effective. It seems that the civilization of fighters in medicine has not succeeded.

The Process of Treating the 1987 PredatorThe Process of Treating the 1987 Predator

A few words deserve the canonical shoulder cannon and three-point sight. If in the classics the Predator fired a laser, then in the prequel it is heavy metal bolts, like in a crossbow. At the same time, there is no gun in the “Production”. Projectiles are loaded like a gun and the scope helps them hit the target. Interestingly, the concept of the famous three red dots has changed. Now they can change their position to hit different places on the victim’s body with projectiles. I have to say, it makes a lot more sense than in the 87 movie where the view was static.

The modern Predator looks much less intimidating (frame from the 1987 movie)The modern Predator looks much less intimidating (frame from the 1987 movie)

Overall, in the Prey, the Predator’s combat potential is revealed much better than in the classic image. Before us is a truly experienced and dangerous adversary who skillfully uses everything he has.

Real Hunting

Universe connoisseurs know that the Predator is an unorthodox villain. He is not trying to establish world domination or destroy all life. The alien’s goal is to find the most dangerous living organism and measure strength with it. He is a fighter and everything that happens is a fair test of skills. What do we see in the original photo? A killer tick methodically destroys an entire group of people, just because it can. This directly contradicts logic as you only have to fight with one. The Predator also forgets honesty, firing at soldiers from a safe distance.

In “Production” the well-known concept came out much more credibly. The alien knows nothing about our world and is just looking for a worthy opponent. First he sees a snake killing a mouse, then a wolf chasing a hare, and only towards the end – people who for fun destroyed a whole herd of buffalo. Each time, the Predator needs a win over a strong opponent.

First look at the monster without a maskFirst look at the monster without a mask

But frankly, the alien of the 2022 sample also has problems. Only once he does not kill the heroine, because she fell into a trap. At the same time, the use of invisibility in no way discredits the hunt. Something similar was in the original, when, just before the victory, the monster suddenly decided to fight Arnold Schwarzenegger on his fists.

Vulnerability

Remember how the soldiers in the original movie fired all their guns at the Predator but only slightly injured it? Until the right moment, the alien was actually immortal, which was a mystery. In Prey, the Overgrown Mite will no longer use cheats. Spears, arrows and other sharp objects are great for injuring the monster. Yes, he is stronger and faster than anyone else, but the feeling that he can still be beaten is conveyed much better than in the 1987 film.

Unfortunately, there were no scenario assumptions. For example, at the right times, the alien forgets for some reason how its own gear works, or for some reason the invisibility turns off for no reason (maybe for the sake of a fair fight). The original fighter did not allow himself such nonsense.

***

In “Prey” it was possible to show the Predator as a real fighter and fighter. He reads the tracks, gets injured and makes mistakes, but remains an invincible warrior. The film does not bring anything new to the franchise, but noticeably refreshes the image of a character loved by many, who can only rejoice. There are even more positive changes, there is hope that the next pictures will be even better.