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The Prey Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Albert Dupontel, Alice Taglioni, Stéphane Debac
  • Director: Eric Valette
  • Format: AC-3, Blu-ray, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
  • Language: French
  • Subtitles: English
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rated: R (Restricted)
  • Studio: Cohen Media Group
  • Release Date: January 21, 2014
  • Run Time: 105 minutes



  •         Taking its cues from Hollywood blockbusters, this French thriller becomes increasingly unbelievable as the narrative progresses, though it is done with such energetic fervor that disbelief can be set aside for spectacle and suspense. What helps keep the story moving is the ability to shift directions and genre-infusion. A serial killer film is combined with a crime thriller, with the first quarter of the film playing out as a prison narrative. Though each individual aspect of the film may seem contrived and highly unlikely, the combined effect is a high octane thriller teetering on the line between intelligent and escapist entertainment.

     

            Albert Dupontel (Irreversible, A Very Long Engagement) stars as convicted bank robber, Franck Adrien, whose time in prison is becoming more deadly as his accomplice becomes less trusting of the fact that the secret location of the money stolen from the bank is known by Franck alone. Unwilling to trust even the mother of his child, Franck stubbornly keeps the location of the loot hidden until making the mistake of trusting his seemingly innocent cell mate, Jean-Louis Maurel (Stéphane Debac). After Maurel is released, Franck discovers the truth behind his brilliant deception. Worse than the loss of the bank robbery money, Maurel’s twisted genius threatens Franck’s family, specifically his young daughter.

     

            Unable to do anything from prison, where he is still in danger of attacks from his irate partner, Franck makes a daring escape to stop Maurel from any number of likely malicious things he may be capable of. The downfall in the film comes from the numerous reasons Franck has to chase down Maurel and the inability to convey honorable intentions amidst the fast-paced action. Franck may be growing as a person, dismissing the money’s importance for the life of his daughter or to stop the madman from further murders, but there is little evidence of his true motives for the noble actions within the screenplay.

     

            The Blu-ray release includes an interview with director Eric Valette, a making-of featurette and a theatrical trailer.

           

    Entertainment Value: 7.5/10

    Quality of Filmmaking: 6.5/10

    Historical Significance: 4/10

    Disc Features: 5/10

     

     

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