Deadly Prey (Rifftrax)

Film Year:  1987
Genre:  Action
Director:  David A. Prior
Starring:  Cameron Mitchell, Troy Donahue, Ted Prior, Suzanne Tara
Rifftrax Year:  2016
Riffers:  Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, Bill Corbett

The Movie

Watching Deadly Prey I was reminded of a cheap low-rent Jean Claude Van Damme movie until I realized it was basically just Hard Target only done much worse.  Then I felt the need to apologize to Van Damme (just don't tell him that).  This movie sees suburban badass Mike Danton being kidnapped by a group of soldiers to be hunted and killed as a training exorcise.  Luckily Danton is a former soldier with a few Rambo type tricks up his sleeve.

One would think this type of Most Dangerous Game story would attract the attention of someone who was making hot action flicks in the 80's like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone, but Deadly Prey aims much lower than that.  It's ambitions are so low they drag through the dirt.  Instead it goes for "the important thing is that you TRIED" director/actor combo of David A. Prior and his musclebound brother Ted Prior (work in the estranged sibling Richard Prior and just maybe we'd have a real movie here).  Nothing about the movie feels as exhilarating as an action movie should.  Action sequences are basic point gun and shoot, with no flair, while the fight choreography lacks creativity.  As for onscreen charisma, Ted Prior has a Dolph Lundgren look about him, though he has none of the charm.  I guess the best way I could describe this movie is imagine a Cannon production but without the lofty production value.

But a low quality action movie is something I can live with, but Deadly Prey becomes a somewhat unpleasant and angry little movie as it approaches its conclusion.  As the bad guys become more frustrated with Prior's character, they decide to kidnap his wife and rape her...you know, because the guy wasn't pissed off enough already.  It's gratuitous and unnecessary, and I don't think the movie really understands just how horrible it's plot turn was.  We have a woman who went through something traumatic and haunting, yet when she screams "He raped me!" later on in the movie she says it with a pouty look on her face like spoiled girl who didn't get what she wanted for her birthday.  And if that wasn't enough, the movie just ends with her getting gunned down to make her husband even more unhinged.  Thanks for that movie, you're really racking up the cool points.

Though I admit for a while I at least understood what the movie wanted to be.  It's when it tries to be an edgy aggressive movie is where it becomes truly wretched.  I'm guessing the movie has something of a cult following, because somehow a sequel was made, 2013's Deadliest Prey.  I'm not sure what they see in it, unless they're big time trash lovers.  Those who want something trashy will definitely get it.

The Trax

"Wait...where are you going you idiot!  Get back up there, you're doing Special Forces wrong!"

Getting a low rent 80's action movie is a win for movie riffing from any group, and for the most part Deadly Prey leaves itself wide open.  There is so much to comment on, from the bland style of the film, to the incoherent action sequences, laughable acting, and even just the general look of everything in particular.  Deadly Prey offers itself up to Rifftrax on a silver platter.  Mike, Kevin, and Bill accept and give this goofball film a good ribbing, successfully playing up its stupidity.

Though if I were to criticize the riff in the film's most vile scenes it feels like our boys struggle to lighten the mood.  Certain scenes can be a bit of a brick wall, and Mike, Kevin, and Bill seem to be more low key in order to let them pass and get on with the more fun stupidity.  However, this isn't always the case.  As the film gets bat shit insane in it's climax they actually riff away with flair, noting the film's apparent issues with women as the female lead is mercilessly slaughtered and our seemingly insane hero closes the film out by screaming into the sky.

At times Deadly Prey has the makings of a genuinely classic riff.  Unfortunately I can't quite recommend it for everyone because sometimes the movie, as dumb as it is, is overtly harsh and uncaring about that.  The riffing for the most part strikes gold and most who watch it will definitely be howling at this one.

Good