This latest installment in the Predator series takes a unique approach: Instead of having the beast terrorizing people on Earth, it takes us to their home planet, which also introduces their culture. After one young beast (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) is ostracized from his clan, he sets out to capture the ultimate adversary. Along the way, he teams up with a cheery android (Elle Fanning). Their quest includes the expected violent encounters, but there are also more sensitive moments with insight into their feelings. Dan Trachtenberg, who’s directed several of the others in the franchise, has added new sci-fi elements, locations and tech that make the design appealing and downright cool. Under the impressive prosthetics, Schuster-Koloamatangi manages to give “humanity” to his character, while essentially turning him into the hero. Fanning’s upbeat performance is simply delightful. This is undoubtedly one of the most unusual buddy road films ever made, but it’s one of the most entertaining and original. 
(4 / 5)
