Just what I expected

A Disappointing Continuation

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Bank-robber Franck Adrien is serving a prison sentence after robbing a national bank. Before he was caught he managed to hide the money but now it's not just the police who are looking for the money. His cell-mate is Jean-Louis Maurel, an alleged rapist/child molester who claims his innocence. When the court finds Maurel not guilty, Maurel promises to look after Franck's family when he gets out. But one day, a man called Manuel Carrega tells Franck that Maurel is a suspected serial killer and that Franck's family is in danger. Franck escapes from prison and police officer Claire Linné and her team take up the chase. La proie (2011) is easily one of the best French films ever made it's action packed and intense from start to finish, the fight sequences are spectacular and the choreography is believable, Albert Dupontel, Alice Taglioni and Stéphane Debac are terrific but Dupontel easily steals the show there's even a scene where he is running and the whole police force chases him or that scene where he uses a cop as a shield in order to escape threw the window. The movie does take a lot of plot points from both The Fugitive and Taken and for a French film is pretty damn good if you ask me. There's a lot of action, suspense and great chase sequences on either foot or car. Also is it just me or does Dupontel look a lot like Hugh Jackman in the Poster? Overall this is one hell of a movie and it will definitely win you over!!

THE PREY is a French take on the man-on-the-run genre. This time our hero is a bank robber in prison who makes the mistake of trusting someone he shouldn't. Soon his stashed loot has been stolen and his family are under attack. Naturally he breaks out, leading to a three way race where he pursues the man who betrayed him whilst being chased by a driven female cop. Cue lots of hanging off trains, running into oncoming traffic and jumping out of windows. It's a very pure film, with little in the way of sub-plots, which keeps the suspense up and builds thrilling sequences. Dupontel and his hilarious curly hairdo bring a much needed humanity to the main character, who must be made of rubber considering the absurd amount of damage he takes only to keep running. The villain is also effectively creepy. It never aspires to be anything more than entertainment, but more than lives up to its promise, right down to the soppily happy ending.

Frank and Maurel are cell mates. Frank stole some money that is now hidden somewhere. Also in jail is one of his partners in crime who wants to know where the money is and who turns violent against Frank. There are some mobsters who have corrupted a prison guard. They try to to rape Maurel but Frank intervenes. Frank gets visits from his wife and young daughter who has some speech disorder. The wife has no money but he won't tell her where the money is since he is to be released soonish.We learn more about Maurel too. He seems like a nice laid back guy and when he's released because the charges against him are dropped he offers to help Frank anyway he can. He gives him a phone number and Frank tells him to tell his wife that she should visit his father for assistance. Then he gets a visit from a detective who tells him that Maurel is bad news, that he's a rapist serial killer and a manipulator.When the gangsters and corrupt guard corner Frank to beat him up, he kicks their butts and he uses that opportunity and the corrupt guard to escape jail. Cops are on his tail but he manages to elude capture. He arrives home to find the apartment empty--no wife, no daughter. At that moment the cops arrive but he again manages to escape barely. He goes to retrieve his money but finds the corpse of his wife instead. He then meets up with the detective who's looking into all of Maurel's victims and actually tracks down Maurel not before informing the police where Frank is. That leads to yet another chase and escape by Frank who now is going after Maurel after having been shot. Maurel set up Frank to take the fall for his crimes so everyone thinks Frank is the serial killer.Frank finds Maurel who by now is enjoying the good life with Frank's money and has "adopted" his daughter for his crazy girlfriend who actually helps him attack other girls. That leads to a final confrontation between cops, Maurel, Frank, a father of a victim.The Prey is a very good action thriller. It suffers from some issues. As is typical for French action movies, you can't expect too much realism. Frank is shot and injured but still manages to run and leap from windows and bridges. There are too many chase scenes. Frank doesn't get tired of running but the audience does. It's also a bit overly complicated with the detective, the cops going after a cop who takes things into her own hands, the father of the victims who tracks the cops' every move.Aside from that, The Prey has a strong story, is nicely filmed, the photography is crisp and bright which creates a certain intimacy between the viewer and the story. Had this been a Hollywood movie, half of the movie would have to take place at night, in the rain and mud. Frank is a likable character; you root for him even though he doesn't really say a lot. The villain is also very well played--he is one nasty fellow and his girlfriend isn't any better. If you're willing to look beyond some faults, you'll find a very thrilling action movie.

This is a first rate, hugely entertaining action-packed thriller directed by Eric Valette, following his already very good State Affairs. This time he handles a much bigger budget, but maintains tons of personality together with the testosterone. French star Albert Dupontel is amazingly intense as a tough bank robber pitted against an unpredictable killer and trying to save his family while he is chased by the police. Alice Taglioni is also very good as a Jodie Foster-flavored investigator, newcomer Stephane Debac nuanced and frightening as an average Joe who happens to be a psychopath. There's a wonderful appearance by Sergi Lopez as a retired cop who believes he can feel a criminal when he crosses his path. Surprisingly good script, great cinematography, music and editing and the chase scenes are really exciting. The last reel by night in the hills of Provence is especially beautiful. One of the few European thrillers to rival (often blander) Hollywood fare, catch this one before they remake it.