Predator: Killer of Killers, on Hulu

Vikings were mean and unruly. Samurai were the greatest swordsmen. And nobody could outfly U.S. Naval aviators. Unfortunately, the Predators aliens believe that to be the best, they must hunt the best. That means they will stalk all the aforementioned throughout human history in Dan Trachtenberg’s animated anthology, Predator: Killer of Killers, “co-directed” by Joshua Wassung, which premieres today on Hulu.

As viewers know from Trachtenberg’s Prey, Predators have been coming to Earth for a long time. They have an advantage in each of the Earthbound historical stories, because the Vikings, Samurai, and WWII fighter pilots are busy fighting each other, while the Predators watch and wait.

Arguably, the opening Samurai story is the weakest of the three, but the brutality of Ursa’s combat, both against her Viking enemies and the Predator, are impressive by any standard. Lindsay LaVanchy also sounds appropriately fierce as the Viking clan leader. Nevertheless, this somewhat revisits the themes and beats of Prey.

Visually, the Samurai story might be the most dynamic. Trachtenberg and Wassung also create some incredible animated martial arts and swordplay. The battle between brothers turned sworn-rivals resonates on archetypal level. Yet, the way they combine forces against the Predator holds great importance later. Although Louis Ozawa is credited as both samurai voices, this is a quiet, largely non-verbal segment, which suits its stealthy ninja vibe and elegant Jidaigeki setting.

The third section set in the North Atlantic during WWII also features some dazzling aerial animation. Sometimes it stretches credibility, but at least it always looks great (whereas the human characters are a bit wooden and CGI-looking). Rick Gonzalez is appealing earnest voicing the rookie pilot Torres, while Michael Biehn (a vet of the Alien franchise crossing over to Predator) adds grit and grizzled attitude as Vandy, the squad leader.

Even if the people look a little artificial, the animation suits the Predators. Trachtenberg and co-screenwriter Micho Robert Rutare eventually take the film in a big, galactic scale direction. They also devise some clever strategies for the stalked warriors to employ. Frankly, the pacing is even tighter and brisker throughout the animated anthology than in Prey, because it never wastes time making political statements. Consequently, this is probably the best Predator film since the John McTiernan original. Highly recommended for franchise fans, Predator: Killer of Killers is now streaming on Hulu.