The Prey

This almost comes across as a TV Movie but its standard is much higher.

The action is mostly but not entirely in the tension. There are some really nice entirely physical cliffhangers to pull you to the edge of your seat.

The characterisation is superb and the plot, while admittedly a cliché, is excellently implemented.

Anyone who likes police drama or investigative thriller will find this an unusually good film of its genre.

For those that like any amount of the above but also want some eye candy, the cast will appeal to male and female alike.

I'm not that big on cheap melodrama type stuff (preferring deeper movies) but this one got me with the clarity and definition of portrayal of each role in the film.

It shocks. A bit like a knife in the side ;)

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.

French thriller that moves right along, incrementally closing down your brain as it does so. Albert Dupontel has the face to makes it work as a con on the lam but he's undermined by his nemesis - lady cop Alice Taglioni who looks likes she's just stepped off the catwalk. Her long, luxuriant arms look like they wouldn't trouble a fly of average strength but here they're knocking perps flat out. Even for the French, this is a bit de trop. The rest of the cast are the real deal with everyone playing their part to the hilt. It also looks good and the endless chases are well executed but in most aspects it's blown away by French TV cop shows like Spiral.

It made me sit the whole hell of a movie without feeling the clock. If you did not watch this movie - go for it - it's time for one of the movies !! Especially when it's in language - that I did not believe the film would be so great.

Don't miss LA PROIE. It's a fast paced action kidnapping thriller as I saw in TAKEN. In fact it is long time ago I gave to a thriller the highest vote. The actor Albert Dupontel was great here. He played the role as the prisoner so credibly and cool that he must get the Oscar. Director Eric Valette convinced me too. Bravo to all the staff. The stunts has been all executed at a very respectable level and without any help of CGI effects. They will take your breath away. There were puzzles to solve and I guessed all the time what will come next. The locations in South of France were pretty. This is how movies should be made nowadays. At the end I was without words there and I still cannot realize that I watched one of the best french thriller ever made. The french film industry created with cable TV companies once more an unforgettable work. And where are you Italian film people? It's long time ago I saw a remarkable movie from my origin country. I think the last one was LA VITA È BELLA with Roberto Benigni. So don't wait and see LA PROIE, you won't be disappointed. This DVD will find a nice place in my best of DVD collection.