(Photo Credit: 20th Century Studios)
1/2
(“Predator: Badlands” trailer courtesy of 20th Century Studios)
Although “Predator: Badlands” is kinda mid, it solidly deals with the important issue of fractured father-son-relationships.
On the 2022 song “Father Time” by Kendrick Lamar, the Compton, Calif. emcee rapped, “Daddy issues ball across my head, told me, ‘F*** a foul.’ I’m teary-eyed, wanna throw my hands. I won’t think out loud. A foolish pride, if I lose again, won’t go in the house, I stayed outside, laughing with my friends, they don’t know my life.”
Unfortunately, Kendrick and Dek (Dimitrius Koloamatangi) from “Predator: Badlands” are not the only ones with daddy issues.
It is a very prevalent issue in families and why the movie will resonate with some moviegoers.
Tuesday was election day across America, so it can be hard not looking at things through a political lens.
But the story of a father shunning the sensitive son in favor of the heartless son is one that moviegoers will find familiar if they have read Mary L. Trump’s memoir, Too Much and Never Enough.
In the Trump family, the pressure to be ruthless destroyed Fred Trump.
But it catapulted President Donald Trump to become the person he has become.
And although kinda mid (average), “Predator: Badlands” shows that the key to success and true leadership is combining strength with compassion for others.
The definitions of a predator are “an animal that naturally preys on others” and “a person who ruthlessly exploits others.”
Many animals are expected to be predators because their very existence relies on their ability to make meals out of the other mammals in the wild.
But what if a so-called predator has a heart?
Additionally, what if an alleged predator is too small to strike fear in the other inhabitants of the wilderness?
That type of animal might find difficulty in survival.
Furthermore, that type of creature might even earn the ire of their judgmental father and clan.
That is the dilemma that Dek finds himself in.
He wants to be a fighter.
He wants to make his father proud of him like his brother has been able to do.
Moreover, he wants to bring honor to his clan.
But whatever he attempts to do, it does not impress his father.
Even his improvements in the art of battle go unnoticed by his old man.
Nevertheless, Dek keeps fighting, determined to find honor amongst his clan.
He battles his brother Kwei, who is extremely skilled in the art of combat.
But like many younger brothers, he is still not strong enough to defeat his more powerful sibling.
While many fathers would encourage the runt of their litter to keep working so that they can eventually compete, Dek’s father orders his older brother to execute his disappointing baby bro.
When his Dek’s brother refuses his father’s order, he kills the older brother because refusing to kill his baby brother shows the weakness of the older brother.
And as the leader of his clan, the father cannot afford to have any weak children.
If there is any weakness present, the weak link must be eliminated.
Determined that he will not suffer the same fate as his brother, and in a way honor his legacy, Dek sets off on a treacherous journey to achieve something that no one has been able to do, regardless of clan.
When he is able to kill the Kalisk, his father and clan will have to honor his courage, strength and bravery.
And if he accomplishes his goal, his place in the clan will never be in doubt again.
Unfortunately, Dek is not the only one on a mission to capture and kill the Kalisk.
A company is also determined to make the Kalisk submit to their will.
Therefore, Dek might have more than one adversary to defeat if he is ever able to defeat the disdain and disappointment that his dad has for him.
“Predator: Badlands” is not a bad film.
It just is not anything special.
The youngsters refer to something average as “mid” as in middle of the road, not too good and not too bad.
But what helps “Predator: Badlands” a little is its message of wanting to be accepted, wanting to make one’s parents proud and not wanting to be viewed as weak by the people in one’s tribe.
That is a dilemma that many males face at one point or another.
Females might not be able to relate to that dilemma.
But there is something depressing for a male to hear someone refer to them as weak, especially if it is coming from one’s own father.
As a result, many males will make stupid decisions and take unnecessary risks to prove that they do not deserve the label of weak.
Furthermore, a son living up to a father’s legacy is something that many males must deal with too.
That problem is not so difficult when a son has a father who has a regular position in society.
However, when the father has achieved monumental success or has an important title, continuing that legacy and pleasing their father can present seemingly insurmountable odds for the son.
As a result, Dek’s place in life will resonate with many male moviegoers.
Additionally, moviegoers will like Elle Fanning’s performance as a lovable but complex robot.
But the movie is all about daddy issues.
Like Kendrick Lamar said on his “Father Time” track, “Daddy issues made learn losses. I don’t take those well. Momma said, ‘That boy is exhausted…’ If he give up now, that’s gon’ cost him, life’s a b****. You could be a b**** or step out the margin…”
REGAL RATINGS
FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT
THREE CROWNS=GOOD
TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE
ONE CROWN=POOR
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