It’s been a long time talking a lot about ‘Predator: La Presa’ due to the fact that its protagonist is a woman. Long before its premiere there were many complaints about how something like this was possible, that the saga had been destroyed or that it was simply shit for being woke up. Arguments with very little credibility that hide many things, including that they probably haven’t seen the movie, but also that it’s impossible that they are really fans of the franchise.
From Mary Sue, nothing
Beware of ‘Predator: Prey’ spoilers from here on out.
Let’s go by parts. Surely you have read several people accusing Naru of being a Mary Sue, the star resource of many to criticize any strong and determined female character. Viewing the film, it is clear that this is not the case, since from the outset it fails in its initial mission to kill the lion, later a bear almost kills it and only the presence of the Predator prevents it, not to mention that it falls into a trap of the creature, who just doesn’t finish it off because he doesn’t see it as a threat.
That is a very important competitive advantage for the character played by Amber Mid Thunder, because precisely the arc of his character is to prove his worth after being systematically belittled. Also, in his case physical strength is never an option, but strategy, precisely what allowed Dutch (arnold schwarzenegger) finish off the alien in ‘Predator’. The muscle of course has its uses, but in this hunt it is the brain that ends up being decisive.
Taking all that into account, any kind of accusation of being a Mary Sue falls under its own weight. She is clumsy in various live or death situations from which she ends up surviving due to the actions of others, while also the presence of her brother as her mentor allows her to acquire that determination that she lacked to be a great warrior. And even with that, she needs a pretty elaborate strategy for the Predator to end up killing himself in the end. It’s not that some people say that they finish him off with two ridiculous weapons and that’s it. If they even forget the symbolism of the gun in question within the saga…
But there is also another very important detail that is forgotten by those who are savagely attacking ‘Predator: La Presa’ using this single argument, and that is that They are many the battle-hardened female charactersand inclusive!– that have been appearing throughout the saga, both in the movies and in the comics. Here the problem seems to be reduced to her being the one to end what many define as the ultimate hunter. And it is that there you also have to put buts.
constantly underestimated
A detail that has been commented on several occasions is that the Predator adapts to its prey, thus introducing changes in its way of proceeding. If ‘Predator: La Presa’ shows anything, it is that most likely, until now, their interactions with humans have been limited and exclusively with men. Hence also he despises Naru as a threat.
And it is that the rest of the animals and humans are eliminated with some ease – Naru’s brother is the one who gives him the most trouble, weakening him a little before the creature is already clear that she is really a danger. Yes, he receives some injuries, but the technology he has is almost 300 years more primitive than the one used in ‘Predator’. Let’s not ignore such important detailsnor that there is no agenda here, just a frantic fight for survival.
Then there is the argument that there were no female warriors among the Comanche. Another falsehood – not that there were many, but there were some, just what the film proposes – to want to discredit a character from hatred. That then there may be a thousand reasons why you don’t like ‘Predator: La Presa’, but to start you have to see it. Anything you think without seeing it will be a mere test of your prejudices. If you watch it and still hate the movie, fine, but please don’t resort to bar counter arguments that don’t hold up anywhere. The same others support you, but because they are exactly in your same situation.
That it is very easy to reduce everything to an image, but this is not true. In fact, it is the proof that you have not understood anything. Also, even if it was the first movie in which a woman defeats a tremendous threat against the odds. And no, it is not worth taking them as an example to say that there yes but here no. That double standard makes no sense.