Back when I was really young, I remember watching movies like Deliverance and Southern Comfort. I also can't forget being terrified. And so, as I began watching this movie I had high hopes. Of course I wasn't expecting anything comparable but if done right it's hard to go wrong.

The start was fine. The setting was fine. The film didn't look cheap which is huge. But these men never impressed me as being as fearful as they should have been. Not even close. The Asian guy who was afraid of his own shadow should have been pissing himself but all he seemed to do was whimper while continuing to wear his bright orange hat when there's a sniper taking shots at them. There's five dudes and one shooter but no one thinks to separate and break out in five different directions. Instead, they run a ways always seeming to stop to bicker like little girls in order to, apparently, let the shooter catch up. This is a necessity because she's in no hurry reminding me of bad 80s horror where the killer is never running but still always there. Meanwhile, the lunatic is a hot chick seeking revenge on anyone and everyone - this includes a clueless but amused teen working behind a desk in a "hut" out in the middle of nowhere with no phone service, and surprised that she might actually have some customers when these dudes waltz in asking to use the phone.

We also have a killer who is very strong, can wrestle men, and has the ability to drag dead bodies into a cave from miles away. Yup, it's like that.

As far as the twist, I knew it immediately. Roman (David Kross) was much too happy and trusting while his girlfriend seemed too perfect. That combination never ends well.

Rating: Blah.

This German thriller follows five men hiking in the woods in Germany. They are there as part of Roman's stag do; also present are his brother, Albert and friends Peter, Vincent and Stefan. When they hear a distant gunshot they think little of it. When they return to the car a second shot rings out; this time much closer... Vincent has been hit in the arm. Is it the actions of a very careless hunter or are they being targeted? It soon becomes clear that it is the latter. They flee into the forest and hope to make their way to a road. The shooter has other ideas and soon things are getting deadly. The survivors desperately try to get away but the shooter always seems to catch up with them.

I rather enjoyed this. The plot may not be original but once Vincent gets wounded the tension quickly rises and as the film progresses it only rises further. Like all such films it requires more than a little suspension of disbelief; the shooter keeps finding the men, and they keep spotting the shooter, even though they are in a vast forest. The group inevitably make several illogical choices, and their loud arguing isn't a good idea, but who would be able to behave logically when a marksman is trying to shoot you? There are some flashbacks to previous events; notable involving Roman and his fiancée; these are fairly superfluous and detract from the story somewhat. The acting is pretty solid; it is a pity their characters weren't more likeable. The locations used are great; both in appearance and in creating the feeling that the action is taking place far from possible help. Overall not a must see but I thought it passed an hour and a half fairly well; worth watching if you enjoy the genre.

These comments are based on watching the film in German with English subtitles.

No this is not religious at all. But you noticed I used the titles Prey and not the other one. A german effort into the thriller genre, that has a lot of mystery in it and tries to be as mysterious as possible. In the beginning it sort of succeeds. But once the "motivation" of the evil character is being discovered ... well it really takes a lot away from the movie.

Especially because one might say it does not make much sense. Add to that a lot of cliche turns and twists and past secrets and you may be left not caring for anyone at all. It tries to deal with those and there are some nice scenes too mind you. Also it is always nice to see genre efforts from Germany. And I've seen worse ... but I've also seen way better. This tries to take elements from other movies (succesful ones) and mix them up. The end result is not a masterpiece ... it is not a disaster either.