Call me ‘disgruntled’ But what the f— is the big attraction of Prey? Perhaps best described as “Cujo with lions” or “Open water without guts”, Prey tips his hand in the first five minutes, when a young wife (Bridget Moynahan, whose best assets as an actress are generously displayed on the DVD cover but are oddly given little attention in the movie) and her rebellious teen stepdaughter quarrel as they arrive to Africa to visit their husband/father (Peter Weller).
As soon as you hear them, you know that the misadventure promised by the synopsis – trapped in a car in the midst of the savanna and besieged by lions – will make them bond and respect each other, and yadda yadda yadda.
Wait a minute, where have I seen this before? Oh yes, in pretty much every other movie ever made!
That’s Prey in a nutshell: inherently predictable. Every line of dialogue, gesture, emotional reaction, death or development is so obvious and banal that watching the movie feels like observing a retarded clown who performs a pantomime you have already seen dozens of times.
Script and direction are typically bland – the characters are boring and paper-thin, and there isn’t a single moment of genuine tension or fear in the whole film. The use of the “monster cam” – a gimmick which has been handled successfully only a handful of times since Spielberg introduced it in Jaws – is absurd: I doubt lions tend to look intently at their preys straight in the face while they attack them, like in a staring contest.
If you want to see lions feast on idiotic human beings, watch the cheesy but fun “The Ghost and the Darkness” instead.
Honestly – Alex’s review is about the funniest thing ever – “Every line of dialogue, gesture, emotional reaction, death or development is so obvious and banal that watching the movie feels like observing a retarded clown who performs a pantomime you have already seen dozens of times.” – this is gold. I more than laughed out loud.
ESPECIALLY when you realise he’s reviewing the OTHER Prey. I’m in love.
Well kids, if we added up every major press review in Oz all 19 would add up to maybe one star.. 🙂 But we had a packed house at Cannes Market Screening at 10am yesterday, just scored a massive Pay Per View deal to follow theatrical in USA, and it seems the Yanks can sit back and enjoy a bit of campy horror fun and so whilst I’ll lick my wounds back home in Melb I’m certainly happy the buyers think it’s all good fun…
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The Melbourne screening at the William Kerr Theatrette was a lot of fun. I thought you might have been there, but obviously not.
I went the night after. I heard the earlier screening was a buzz!
Call me ‘disgruntled’ But what the f— is the big attraction of Prey? Perhaps best described as “Cujo with lions” or “Open water without guts”, Prey tips his hand in the first five minutes, when a young wife (Bridget Moynahan, whose best assets as an actress are generously displayed on the DVD cover but are oddly given little attention in the movie) and her rebellious teen stepdaughter quarrel as they arrive to Africa to visit their husband/father (Peter Weller).
As soon as you hear them, you know that the misadventure promised by the synopsis – trapped in a car in the midst of the savanna and besieged by lions – will make them bond and respect each other, and yadda yadda yadda.
Wait a minute, where have I seen this before? Oh yes, in pretty much every other movie ever made!
That’s Prey in a nutshell: inherently predictable. Every line of dialogue, gesture, emotional reaction, death or development is so obvious and banal that watching the movie feels like observing a retarded clown who performs a pantomime you have already seen dozens of times.
Script and direction are typically bland – the characters are boring and paper-thin, and there isn’t a single moment of genuine tension or fear in the whole film. The use of the “monster cam” – a gimmick which has been handled successfully only a handful of times since Spielberg introduced it in Jaws – is absurd: I doubt lions tend to look intently at their preys straight in the face while they attack them, like in a staring contest.
If you want to see lions feast on idiotic human beings, watch the cheesy but fun “The Ghost and the Darkness” instead.
Honestly – Alex’s review is about the funniest thing ever – “Every line of dialogue, gesture, emotional reaction, death or development is so obvious and banal that watching the movie feels like observing a retarded clown who performs a pantomime you have already seen dozens of times.” – this is gold. I more than laughed out loud.
ESPECIALLY when you realise he’s reviewing the OTHER Prey. I’m in love.
Ummm, wrong Prey.
Haha. I was reading that review thinking…wow, this person’s on some great drugs if they are seeing lions and such.
Paul, I’m Bobby’s P.A, there has been some awesome feedback from the film, sorry i didn’t get to meet you at Quamby House last Wednesday!
opps, wrong prey…
Well kids, if we added up every major press review in Oz all 19 would add up to maybe one star.. 🙂 But we had a packed house at Cannes Market Screening at 10am yesterday, just scored a massive Pay Per View deal to follow theatrical in USA, and it seems the Yanks can sit back and enjoy a bit of campy horror fun and so whilst I’ll lick my wounds back home in Melb I’m certainly happy the buyers think it’s all good fun…
An honest producer? That’s a breath of fresh air!