7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, “Prey” is the story of a young woman, Naru, a fierce and highly skilled warrior. She has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains, so when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries.
Starring: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro, Stormee Kipp, Michelle ThrushSci-Fi | 100% |
Action | 74% |
Horror | 67% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
It's commendably becoming more commonplace for recognition to be granted to Native American tribes whose lands were displaced by interlopers, and it's actually fairly standard, for instance, to see overt mention of some of those tribes in programs here in the Pacific Northwest where I live where theater companies and the like pay homage to the peoples whose land the theater now sits on. Those aforementioned interlopers are typically human, not to be too cheeky about it, but Prey, the latest installment in the Predator franchise, suggests that around the time that (in this instance) Comanche tribes were dealing with those pesky human types from across several ponds, there was another invader who travelled a considerably longer distance. As absolutely absurd as it sounds, yes, Prey is a prequel of sorts, set in an early 18th century timeframe where a fierce but underestimated young woman warrior named Naru (Amber Midthunder) mistakes the contrail of a crashing spaceship for a sort of (film title pun warning) Vision Quest, assuming it's a message from beyond in the form of a Thunderbird (not a Ford sports car, just to be clear), and that she has achieved warrior status, even if none of the rest of her tribe is ready to accept that designation as a given fact.
Prey is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Disney / Buena Vista and 20th Century Studios with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. Captured with Arri Alexa cameras and finished at 4K, this is the "exception" to my self recreated "rule" that Arri captures don't always offer the crispness and palette nuance of some other cameras. While this is another recent release where I'll flat out recommend those interested and with the appropriate equipment get the 4K UHD version, those with "only" a traditional high definition home theater setup will still get any eyeful with this often gorgeous (if occasionally bloody) presentation. Prey is full of some absolutely jaw dropping scenes of wild vistas, and depth of field is typically superb (if even a bit better on the 4K UHD disc). Detail levels are excellent across the board, including everything from practical items like props and costumes to even some of the CGI. Fine detail is generally fulsome throughout, and close-ups of things like Naru's sweet dog Saari offer really precise renderings of elements like fur. The palette is really sumptuous a lot of the time, especially in the more brightly lit daytime scenes. There are a couple of passing sequences heavily graded toward yellow that get closest to what I've often called "Alexa murk", but detail levels are still surprisingly solid even in these moments.
Prey features a nicely immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track, and while the 4K UHD release offers a Dolby Atmos track, I think for most listeners you'd be hard pressed to single out any major differences between the two. There's solid engagement of all of the surround channels for the glut of ambient environmental effects, and the evocative score also wafts through the side and rear channels regularly. Dialogue (some of which is in Comanche with forced subtitles) is always rendered cleanly and clearly. Speaking of Comanche, this actually offers a Comanche Dolby Digital 5.1 dub which is really interesting to at least sample. Optional English, French and Spanish subtitles are available.
I'll admit it: I was kind of in a pre-eye rolling reactive mode as I got ready to watch Prey, but I was almost instantly drawn into a viscerally exciting story with a really distinctive framework. Technical merits are first rate and the supplements very enjoyable. Recommended.
40th Anniversary Edition
1979
Ultimate Collector's Edition
1986
3-Disc Set
2010
1987
2023
2004
Special Edition
2000
1990
1992
1997
2011
2009
バイオハザード:ディジェネレーション / Biohazard: Degeneration
2008
2016
2021
2018
2008
2017
2002
2010