In its past two iterations, the Predator franchise tried on different hats. Instead of recycling the same movie monster premise, the series has seen a historical period piece (read: Prey) and an animated anthology (read: Killer of Killers). Now, in its third outing in only a few years, it’s time to take its rightful place in a new genre — a family-friendly adventure comedy.

Predator: Badlands is Dan Trachtenberg’s second film in his planned three-piece outing. Whereas Prey takes audiences back into history, Badlands flings them all the way into the future. Dek is a young Yautje who, after being outcasted from his tribe, seeks to bring down an unkillable beast from a hostile planet called Genna to reclaim his honor.

Along the way, he meets the happy-go-lucky Thia (Elle Fanning), a Weyland-Yutani synth who has her own secret mission in Genna. He also meets Bud, an adorable bipedal creature with a pug-like face. Now, when you mix a stoic warrior with a quirky sidekick and a cute pet, you have the makings of a sci-fi comedy.

Predator as a comedy

Predator: Badlands takes some getting used to. If you’ve seen other Predator films in the past, you’d know that the franchise isn’t known for its comedy. So, when Badlands wants to make you laugh, it’s not coming from a place that’s natural to the series.

At the very least, there are moments that work. When the tough-as-nails Dek finally warms up to Bud’s antics while Thia looks on, it’s a heart-warming moment that helps audiences believe in the familial dynamic between the three characters.

After a few moments of me mouthing “what am I watching,” the film does warm up. And it all starts once you realize that the Predator is the protagonist of this story and that no humans are in a life-or-death struggle this time. But again, it does take a while.

At its core, Badlands is a story about found family, and it surprisingly works. Usually, this is when the review ends, had it not been for the fact that this is a Predator film and not a generic adventure.

A wealth of great ideas

Don’t get me wrong; Badlands is not a bad movie. It’s just different. And amid the differences, there is a mountain of great ideas that can tickle any Predator fan.

For the first, it’s actually refreshing to finally see the Yautje act like a resourceful hunter, rather than just an invisible killing machine. The Predator is not invincible. He gets hurt. Often, he has to use the planet’s resources to survive.

For way too long, Predator films focused too much on forcing humans to adapt against the technologically advanced alien from outer space. For the first time, it’s now the alien in a position of vulnerability, and it’s great.

Secondly, the new creatures introduced in Genna are inspiring. The roster is equal parts of the silliness of James Gunn and the macabre of Guillermo del Toro. These include a bursting plant that paralyzes with a single hit, a sentient tree that eats other beings, and Bud. The planet is filled with creatures that are both frightening and interesting to meet in a forest.

Despite the laughs, this is a Predator film that helps expand the lore of a usually mysterious franchise. Because, of course, the Yautje are a species of hunters where honor exists. Of course, they hunt terrifying things. Of course, Weyland-Yutani is still an evil monster of a corporation here.

The Alien connection

In the months leading up to the movie’s premiere, the main talking point was Elle Fanning’s character. She plays a synth from Weyland-Yutani, a corporation from the Alien franchise.

A connection between the two franchises has existed since the Alien vs. Predator series of films. (Badlands even nods to this duology when Dek eventually get the nickname of “Wolf”.) This is, however, the first time we get a crossover set in the far-flung future traditionally held for the Alien franchise.

Is this the return of the AvP franchise? Well, not really.

From a production standpoint, using Weyland-Yutani as a plot device saves a lot. The story involves a crew completely populated by synths. Fanning plays two characters. An entire army of synths is played by one or two actors. Since they’re synths, they don’t need red blood. Plus, it keeps the movie in PG territory.

However, from a narrative standpoint, Weyland-Yutani is a slightly odd choice. For one, the movie heavily assumes that audiences already know how evil the corporation is. Though there are a few expository dialogue that confirms such, Weyland-Yutani is a mostly invisible force.

It’s also unclear where Trachtenberg wants to take this connection. This isn’t a xenomorph movie, so you won’t see a shoehorned connection to the Alien series. But it is a natural connection. There’s no need to force a new Alien vs. Predator film right off the bat. Weyland-Yutani’s status as an antagonist just needs more time to marinate because it’s hard to expect audiences to know who the corporation is.

Living in a tropical country means heat is woven into my routine. I walk a few steps and instantly break into a sweat because my body thinks it’s funny. Being out of shape doesn’t help, but until I fix that, handheld fans are my lifeline.

They’ve become essential in the Philippines, and I still can’t believe it took this long for them to evolve into actual daily-use gadgets. The Aecooly Aero Ultra stood out because it didn’t look like the typical fan you see everywhere. The half-pipe frame, the pop of orange, and the odd tube-like shape felt like gear from a game instead of a humid-day survival tool.

Design that turns heads

What surprised me first was how unique it looked. The r-style air tube design has this odd charm that sparks curiosity. Every time I pulled it out, people asked about it, held it, and tried to figure out how the air travels through that curved body.

The 170-gram weight feels almost nonexistent in hand or in a bag. I wouldn’t put it in a pocket since it sticks out awkwardly, but carrying it around never felt like a burden. The PC and AeroGrade aluminum blend also feels solid and durable, not cheap or hollow.

And that orange finish fits me perfectly. Sometimes a little color can make a hot day feel lighter, and this one does the job.

Performance that actually matches the design

On Standard speeds 1 to 4, the Ultra gives you a soft, steady breeze. Even at the highest standard setting, it still feels mellow, like a nudge of airflow rather than a blast.

Switch to the Turbo modes and it transforms. The power jump is real, strong enough that I’ve used it to dry my hair when I needed to rush out the door. The 11 m/s airflow hits a sweet balance where it cools you quickly but doesn’t overwhelm you whether you’re outdoors, walking through a mall, or sitting in a café.

Even at its top 15,000 RPM, the airflow still feels smooth. The honeycomb vents keep the direction tight without making the wind feel aggressive. Noise-wise, it’s noticeable in quiet rooms but blends into the background in noisier spaces.

The LED display is perfect for someone like me who panics when devices drop below fifty percent. Knowing the exact battery level shapes how I use it throughout the day. The seven speed levels make it easy to adapt in different environments, from blasting full Turbo at a concert to staying quiet in calmer settings.

Switching modes is intuitive, and the “r” form factor helps direct the airflow with minimal wrist movement. It’s comfortable, functional, and easy to pick up without overthinking how to hold it.

Battery Life, everyday use, and why I prefer the Ultra

Aecooly claims seventeen hours of battery life, but I never drained it to zero because I always top up before going out. Still, I never once felt like I had to conserve power. It usually refills after an hour-long podcast, and that alone makes it reliable for daily cycles.

The LED percentage indicator is another quality-of-life win. It helped me ration usage during events, long commutes, and casual walking days. I didn’t test the base Aero or Aero Pro, but looking at the numbers, I still tell people to get the Ultra if they can afford it. The stronger Turbo levels and larger battery make it feel like the complete package.

In real use, I bring it everywhere. I cool down after small activity bursts, I use it while walking, I’ve brought it to concerts, events, and even used it to dry my wavy hair. It never felt awkward to use in public.

My only complaint is not knowing how to attach the included wrist strap. I also wish it had a lanyard option so I could hang it around my chest and angle it upward hands-free.

Is the Aecooly Aero Ultra your GadgetMatch?

Our Associate Creative Director, MJ, enjoying the Aecooly Aero Ultra

Still, the Aecooly Aero Ultra feels premium, dependable, and built for the kind of heat I deal with daily. Definitely a Swipe Up. 

If you need consistent cooling on the go, this is an easy recommendation. It has become a part of my everyday carry, and I don’t see myself leaving the house without it anytime soon.

After months of living out of a suitcase, I found myself home again. You’d think staying in one place would feel easier, but I realized how restless I’d become.

I’ve built a life around movement. I like feeling in control. Maybe that’s why when I started setting up my workspace again, the Razer Basilisk Mobile immediately felt like the right fit.

It’s called “mobile,” but it found its purpose in my quietude.

Small things that carry weight

The Razer Basilisk Mobile isn’t intimidating like most gaming gear. It doesn’t scream for attention with flashing lights or aggressive angles.

It’s compact enough to sit quietly beside my laptop, yet sturdy in the hand, like it knows what it’s capable of.

Razer took its fan-favorite ergonomic design and scaled it down for people who need comfort without clutter.

It fits perfectly under my palm during long writing sessions and when I’m deep in photo edits. It’s light enough to move effortlessly.

And because it’s wireless, my desk finally looks clean and ready for whatever kind of workday I’m about to have.

A mouse that adapts to how you think

The Basilisk Mobile has 10 customizable controls, which, on paper, sound like overkill for a writer and creative director.

But after a week of using it, I started wondering how I ever worked without them.

Razer designed these buttons for gamers who need split-second reactions. I use them for something more… domestic.

Copy-paste shortcuts, switching tabs, launching Photoshop, or even triggering my AI note app with a single click.

It’s called the AI Prompt Master, but in my world, it’s a creativity launcher.

It feels like this mouse understands the kind of multitasking life I lead. That I can go from reviewing layouts to color-grading photos and videos, and somehow still keep my hand relaxed and my workflow seamless.

Maybe, that’s what I love most about it? It’s built for play, but it excels at work.

Endurance I can count on

I’ve always believed endurance is a love language. Maybe because I’ve built my own around it.

I’ve raced through obstacle courses and weathered deadlines, but I still managed to show up again to work the next day.

That’s probably why I respect gadgets that stay the course. The Razer Basilisk Mobile runs up to 105 hours on HyperSpeed Wireless and 180 hours on Bluetooth.

For context, that’s weeks of work without charging and when it does need a quick top-up, 10 minutes gives you 7 hours of power.

Precision that feels personal

There’s a state of flow when every click and scroll just feels right. The Basilisk Mobile understands that beat certainly.

Its 18K DPI optical sensor keeps everything precise, whether I’m fine-tuning an image in Lightroom or browsing through hundreds of thumbnails. It moves exactly how I want it to.

The Razer HyperScroll wheel might be my favorite part. You can switch between two modes: Tactile for that satisfying, notched scroll that makes you feel in control, and Free-spin for when you want to breeze through pages or scripts in seconds.

It’s smooth and accurate. You don’t always notice it, but it’s what makes everything else work.

The kind of comfort that grows on you

Some gadgets take time to get used to. Others feel right from the start. The Basilisk Mobile belongs to the latter.

Its buttons have a crisp, responsive feel, thanks to Razer’s Gen-3 Optical Switches, rated for 90 million clicks.

That’s overkill, sure, but it means I’ll probably grow old with this mouse before it ever gives up.

The 100% PTFE feet glide effortlessly across my mousepad, making even small movements soundless.

It’s a small thing, but it adds to the peace of my workspace

Is the Razer Basilisk Mobile your GadgetMatch?

The longer I used it, the more I realized something. The Razer Basilisk Mobile might be built for gamers, but it found its home with people like me: those who live in the overlap of focus and fatigue.

It’s the kind of device that doesn’t care where you use it. You can edit a highlight reel or write a story. This mouse will be right there with you when you want to feel productive again at your own desk.

Swipe right if you have the bucks to spare for a performance mouse that really works and makes your day-to-day easier.

Swipe left if you want your device to match a specific home office palette or prefer something simpler and more affordable. After all, the Razer Basilisk Mobile retails for PhP 5,995.

@gadgetmatchOn-the-go mouse best paired with the Razer Joro!♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

When I first unboxed it, I thought it would be the mouse I’d take with me when I travel. Turns out, it’s the one that made me stay productive while staying at home.

It taught me that performance isn’t always about speed or reaction time. Sometimes, it’s about stability. It’s about clicking through your day and creating something that feels like you.

And if that’s not gaming energy, I don’t know what is.