End of August Movie Reviews (Prey, X, Top Gun: Maverick)
I watched three newer movies this August, two of which I recommend while the third might not be worth checking out. Are Prey, X, or Top Gun: Maverick worthy of your valuable relaxation time or would it be better spent reading a book or perhaps picking up a new skill (like basket weaving or website design)? It’s time to find out!
Prey (2022)
Hulu, 99 minutes
Prey is either the fifth or seventh movie in the Predator franchise depending on if you want to include the two Alien vs. Predator films. Either way, it’s the best movie to feature the Predator alien since 1987’s Predator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. While this flick likely won’t become an action movie classic like that original did, it still holds up well on its own as an all-around solid sci fi adventure that genuinely does bring something new to the franchise.
Compared to all of the other Predator films sandwiched between the releases of the first Predator and Prey (none of which really are worth watching unless you’re a diehard fan of the franchise), Prey manages to feel the most unique, while at the same time calling back to that first film.
The story of a young, female Comanche warrior going up against an alien in the year 1719 is definitely different from the male, military (or military-type) protagonists we’ve seen face off against Predators in most of the prior films. At the same time, the confrontation between Naru (played by Amber Midthunder) and the Predator clearly parallels the battle between the Predator and Schwarzenegger’s character, Dutch, in the first film. I think a double-feature with both films would actually work together quite nicely.
Prey isn’t phenomenal by any means, but the acting is solid throughout, particularly that of Midthunder in her first major role. It’s a much smarter (and better) movie than you’d expect the fifth (or seventh) Predator film to be, and well worth a watch.
Grade: 7/10
X (2022)
A24, 105 minutes
X, the newest horror film written and directed by Ti West, goes strongly for the slasher-horror vibes that 1970s movies like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre had, and for the most part it succeeds. Taking place in Texas in the year 1979, X really feels like it could be a movie from that time period. One major difference between X and a lot of the older horror movies it pays homage to though is that a lot of the actual 1970s horror movies were nastier in how they treated their characters. That’s not to say there isn’t plenty of violence in X (because there is), but it never really feels mean spirited or truly disturbing in the way that 1970s horror and grindhouse movies often were.
As far as the story goes, X follows a group of young filmmakers who plan to make an adult film with a Texas farmhouse setting. The producer of the group rents a farmhouse from an elderly couple, who are unaware what the six young people are planning on shooting around their property. When the elderly couple does find out what’s going on, well, let’s just say that there are dire consequences for the actors and crew.
The acting in X is definitely one of its strong points, with lead Mia Goth, playing an adult film actress who dreams of becoming a real star, excelling in her role. Overall, this is a better film than a lot of the more recent slasher horror films we’ve been getting, like Halloween Kills or the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie on Netflix, and I’d definitely recommend it to fans of the genre.
Grade: 7.5/10
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Paramount Pictures, 131 minutes
While the first two movies I watched this month were better than I expected them to be, the most recent movie I watched was a major disappointment: Top Gun: Maverick. If you are a huge fan of the original Top Gun movie from 1986 and always wondered what Tom Cruise’s character from the movie would be up to nearly 40 years later, this movie will be a treat for you. Otherwise, unless you’re someone who thinks military aircraft are really, really cool, and like to watch planes zoom around really, really fast, the overwhelmingly positive critical (and audience) reviews for this one will have you set up for a big letdown.
Tom Cruise looks great for actually being 125 years old.
Top Gun: Maverick isn’t awful, but, as far as Hollywood blockbusters go, I didn’t find it all that fun. It’s sort of bland, sort of boring, and definitely not a “good” movie in terms of script, acting, or anything at all besides some of the visuals of the jets speeding around. It’s worth noting that some of the dialogue in this movie has got to be some of the cheesiest dialogue in film cinema history.
The characters are basically cardboard cutouts of people without any real depth or personality. These are some very good-looking pilots though and they do have some “cool” call signs like Rooster, Phoenix, and Hangman.
The only explanation for the outstanding reviews Top Gun: Maverick received that I can think of is that critics were impressed with the flight sequences, have 80s nostalgia for the original, or enjoy mindless entertainment (similar to that provided by Fast & Furious-type movies). Either that or Scientology has such a firm grasp of film critics that they were forced to provide glowing recommendations for this watchable, yet incredibly uninspired, cheese fest.
Grade: 5/10