It’s rated PG-13, but it’s still a fun Predator entry.

“Predator: Badlands” is the second entry this year after the animated Hulu spectacle “Predator: Killer of Killers,” and both were directed by the same man-Dan Trachtenberg. It’s also the first one to come out in theaters since the 2018 entry, as well as the first one to be rated PG-13 since “Alien vs. Predator.” And given the R-rated movies, you would think that “Badlands” would make the fatal mistake of toning it down a notch. It does tone it down a bit-I guess so there would be less kids sneaking into R-rated movies-but there’s still some green blood and cool creatures and machines to make it a fun addition to the franchise.

The predator here is a runt named Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), whose clan believes violence is what makes them strong and kindness is what makes them weak. As much as he tries to prove to his father and brother that he’s strong, he’s still labeled a runt by them. His only recourse is to travel to a planet and kill something that is considered to be deathless. Therefore, he can bring its head home to tell off his clan.

I think the last two entries went to Hulu, because they didn’t really have the kind of star power to guide them. And maybe “Badlands” is coming to theaters, because they cast Elle Fanning, who has proven herself to be a fine young actress (“Phoebe in Wonderland,” “Super 8,” “The Beguiled,” “A Complete Unknown,” etc.). She’s in a dual role as synthetics-one of whom is a comic relief in the “48 Hours” tradition named Thia, and the other is the baddie Tessa.

Dek comes across Thia, who shall be legless at this point, and he carries her as basically his tool. Not that kind of tool, but the kind who can tell him what these planet creatures are and so forth. They’re both after the same “deathless” creature, although her company is after it for different reasons.

Among the creatures on this planet (which I think is labeled “The Death Planet,” not “Death Star”), there are plant creatures whose vines might not be vines after all. If there was a parody, they probably would turn Dek into a joint. But I think that joke was used with Marlon Wayans in “Scary Movie 2.” The grass is also made of glass, which would be very difficult for anyone to cross, unless they have thick shells or skins. There are also exploding plants that shoot out tranquilizing sticks, and if you get poked by one, you become paralyzed enough for a giant Dino bird to eat you. And there’s a little alien who acts like a monkey or even a “Star Wars” creature, and she (and apparently it’s a she) accompanies Dek and Thia on their trek. And I believe she can survive the glassy grass.

Listening to how Fanning plays Thia with her wisecracks reminds me a little or a young Tea Leoni crossed with Bella Ramsey’s character in “The Last of Us.” And Schuster-Koloamatangi, who is disguised by special effects, does a nice job adapting to the predator’s language, while dealing with his traveling companion’s timing. Like I said: it’s going for that “48 Hours” approach.

“Predator: Badlands” doesn’t take as much risks as “Predator: Killer of Killers” did, especially when we have to get to that predictable plot regarding Thia’s company, but it’s more interesting than the dinosaurs in “Jurassic World: Rebirth” or their menus. It might even be going for that “Star Wars” approach to try to entertain kids, while the adults might still appreciate the green blood and visuals. So, I guess the theaters won’t have to worry about I.D. checking, but they might be reminded of a certain “Chicken Jockey.”