Prey
May. 18,2007 RAn American family on holiday in Africa becomes lost in a game reserve and stalked by vicious killer lions.
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Reviews
Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.
if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
CUJO with lions is the plot in a nutshell for this cheap 'n' schlocky B-movie made and filmed in South Africa. The slim plot sees a stepmother and her two kids - a teenage brat and her younger, slightly less irritating brother - trapped in a car with a pride of lions outside, hungry for their flesh. The storyline evolves with lots of attempted suspense and lion attack scenes, but it all comes across as silly and superficial.I can forgive the shoddy camera-work, the cheesy effects, and the bizarre decision to give the lions some kind of 'killer vision', a la PREDATOR. I can give the annoying characters and the lack of realism. Hell, at least there are no CGI lions in this one, and there is at least one recognisable actor in the cast; namely ROBOCOP's Peter Weller, given to slumming it in B-flicks these days, it seems.But what I can't forgive is the stupidity of the characters and thus the script. In PREY, stupidity is the excuse to drive the plot forever. Time and again our protagonists could save themselves or at the very least turn the situation to their advantage, but instead they do something stupid which sends them back to square one. The worst bit is where the woman drives the jeep so badly that she crashes it; this sequence is absolutely nonsensical, and had me howling at the screen. Just what were they thinking? It's silly stuff like this that makes the film a vapid exercise in fear-building, and just once I'd like to see a B-movie where the characters are smart and can actually think for themselves.
A family on vacation wind up being stalked by a pride of savage and hungry bloodthirsty lions after they get lost on an African game reserve. Director Darrell James Roodt, who also co-wrote the compact script with Jeff Vadlow and Beau Bauman, relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, makes good use of the vast and desolate African tundra, creates and sustains a substantial amount of nerve-rattling tension, and stages the ferocious lion attack scenes with considerable aplomb. The sound acting from the capable cast keeps the picture humming: The gorgeous Bridget Moynahan as gutsy stepmother Amy, Peter Weller as concerned father Tom, Carly Schroeder as snotty and whiny daughter Jessica, Jaime Bartlett as gruff hunter Crawford, Connor Dowds as sweet son David, and Marius Roberts as amiable ill-fated ranger Brian. Moreover, the filmmakers deserve extra props for using real lions for the most part instead of hokey CGI creations and add an inspired touch of irony by presenting two poachers as near heroes. Michael Brierley's sharp widescreen cinematography boasts plenty of nifty lion POV shots and gives the movie an attractive polished look. Tony Humecke's spirited shuddery score does the heart-racing trick. An enjoyable Grade B item.
Oh my. Just finished watching Prey. WOW what a movie. Judging on how harsh the reviews were, I wasn't expecting a lot, but give us something more! The idea was perfect. People stranded with blood-craving lions. Who wouldn't want to see that. This film could have been SO much better if I made some minor adjustments....:1. Those freakin kids. 1. The boy- WORST ACTOR EVEEEEER! I've never seen someone look and talk like a robot at the same time. And he complained ALL the time. I understand your in the desert, but really? "Amy I'm tired, Amy I'm thirsty, Amy I have to go to the bathroom, Amy I'm hungry, Amy there are lions" God he sucked.2. The girl- I've seen her act before and she's not bad, but the writer just kept feeding her such cheesy dialog. And when a lion would attack....you will want to stab your ears with knifes. I'll give you a basic overview of most scenes: 1. Lion attacks. 2. Girl opens mouth. 3. Girl opens eyes. 4. Girl repetitive says "OMG" "OMG". (and this happens during EVERY scene with a lion.2. The dad- He was only in one scene with the lions but I still hated him. So he's walking over to his wife and kids, right, and then a lion comes, and its a good 15-20 feet to the left of him. The wife screams- "There's a lion , look out". The husband makes no effort to look or even turn around to see if shes actually telling the truth. I guess he though she was lying or something? So he screams- "What?". Wife- ""There is a lion!" Husband- "Wat"?. Wife- "Lion". Park Ranger- "Dont move". Husband moves his head like an inch...o there's the lion, silly me. The wife was perfect for the role. She shut those freakin kids up exactly when I wanted her to, and she wasn't to bad to look at either. Overall, bad movie, but could have been better with improved writing.
A good movie somewhat scary. Don't look for the small detail. Because if you do you would find many awful mistakes. Just enjoy the movie as is and leave your brains in your pocket. But really if you can do that the movie was very good.The idea also seems original though far fetched. Many people have pointed out the faults. But the point is spending a good 90 minutes enjoying yourself and the predicament of certain people who are truly stupid as you see in the movie.The sub plot about the step daughter etc., was totally not required and the movie would have been shorter and tighter without it.You don't need to waver your attention from the main story which was being trapped by hungry lions and trying to escape while alive.Oh, well, most movies do have sub plots which are usually not required at all.Happy watching. I recommend it to be bought.