User reviews

For those that think "Perfect Prey" was better cinema than "Witness" this movie is the "perfect fare" for them. Well acted, the grizzled Kelly McGillis does take her role seriously, and for that we thank her. D.W. Moffett gives a splendid performance, but the true star of the show is David Keith. Never have I seen an actor take such demented delight in smearing red lipstick all over his characters sick, depraved lips. The storyline is decent, with an ending that borrows liberally from "Silence of the Lambs." Great cinema for that Saturday evening when Mom has to wait up for the teen that is out for the night with the family car. "Perfect Prey" is intriguing enough to keep the mind off worry, yet mindless enough that a viewer doesn't have to think as the clock nears one in the morning. For those that love a good storyline that offers a little more bang for the buck, try "Witness." Definitely Kelly McGillis at her finest, if only for the classic scene with a younger and sturdier Harrison Ford where they dance alone in an Amish country barn, a scene where McGillis truly sizzles and smolders with implied sexuality and Amish girl heat.

For surly he walks away with this and his portrait of a demented serial killer. This is unusual as Keith is always the victim, ala OFFICER AND GENTLEMEN. He was excellent. Kelly McGillis I usually like but felt there was a monotone level of work in this. Her face never showed any emotion except fear. Does she ever enjoy anything? I liked her in WITNESS and TOP GUN where she at least had interesting moments. But wasted in this. I guess we're supposed to see she's a tough detective and determined to catch her prey. Aging Bruce Dern plays a small role of a detective. Dern would have been more interesting if he had ended up the killer as he plays strange roles better. D W Moffett (what does the D stand for?) played another detective and love interest to Kelly. I remember him in AN EARLY FROST as the love interest to Aiden Quinn. A good looking guy too. But give the laurels to Keith for a wonderful job. And to all those lovely ladies he managed to charm into his den. Maybe sometime we could see a serial killer who takes all the beautiful boys and torments them. It would be different as most of the time it's always the women that get chosen.

If you liked, 'When the Bough Breaks,' starring Martin Sheen, and Ally Walker, then avoid this like the plague! Martin Sheen and Ally Walker have been replaced by Bruce Dern and Kelly McGillis, and the characters are lost on them. I don't believe either of them have ever even seen the first movie this SEQUEL is based on. Kelly McGillis constantly has these mini breakdowns throughout the movie, and they are totally NOT BELIEVABLE, I would go as far as saying they are laughable. The saddest part of this drek is David Keith, a quality actor who is wasted here. They actually have him talking to porcelain dolls! How original! I saw that on 'Miami Vice,' in 1984.

As prior detailed review puts it, this is a bit of a sleeper. Admit that catching it on cable now with the ongoing serial sniper in D.C. area in mind. Well, yuck, this has a bunch of connections! White big box truck (not an Astro van but there were early D.C. reports of a while box truck). Film baddie works a circle route of victims. Snatcher not shooter. But same patterns even the film mention of God complex and increase in frequency of attacks. This baddie does key on a 'type' tho. Less random than D.C. Very creepy but yes this film does hold one's interest with the well played sense of everydayness. Good performances. Bad guy is always such a tricky role to cast and play. This one does it. Not the over the top thing of Hannibal so even more icky for real. Give this a try if comes your way and it's your thing. Helps if you enjoy CSI, Law and Order type shows. Gets a little overheated but the soul of film is intact.

Described as a TV movie, I don't know whether "Perfect Prey" was planned as a TV pilot. Far worse have been deemed suitable for series production. I don't think this watchable piece of work got the exposure it deserved when it first appeared. This is a better than average serial killer thriller. The main characters are certainly well cast.

Kelly McGillis is a natural as the troubled but intelligent and determined investigator, Audrey Maclean. David Keith's performance as the handsome, persuasive killer is chilling. Watching him, you can truly believe that evil is abroad and relishing the suffering of its victims. Bruce Dern does well with the part of Captain Swaggert, with murders on his hands he knows are beyond the abilities of his team to solve without the fresh eye of outside help. Interested viewers will, I'm sure, enjoy the contrast in characterization between Dern's lawman in this movie and his marvellously venal sheriff in "Last man Standing". Last but by no means least, D W Moffett shows real style with his Detective Jimmy Cerullo.

There's a pleasing professionalism about the rest of the cast, who aren't well known. Their work helps to ensure an enjoyable movie. Particularly worth a mention is the young actress given the thankless role of the murder victim in the pink dress. With her body propped up against a nodding donkey, her frozen eyes allow a peek into hell for the imaginative movie watcher. The feeling of brooding sadness in the scene surfaces at various times during the duration of the film, and adds considerable atmosphere.

The movie is effectively directed by Howard McCain and nicely scripted by Robert McDonnell. There's some neat editing by Hanneh Rudkilde. The rest of the crew weren't asleep on the job either. What really damages "Perfect Prey" is the marked resemblance of the plot to that of "The Silence of the Lambs", which many of its potential audience will have seen. In my opinion Kelly McGillis is a more believable investigator than the otherwise admirable Jodie Foster, but that, as they say, is neither here nor there.

It's worth a look, seek it out next time you intend making the sofa look untidy for a couple of hours.

I have to say I didn't expect too much when I decided to watch this movie. Well it turned out to be a pretty good thriller. It makes you think a little, so I would say the plot's got something good too. I gave 7/10 stars.

Not sure why this movie got such mediocre ratings - it was well acted, well written, and well casted - - and most importantly, suspenseful!

It's downfall is only that it is totally reminiscent of Silence of the Lambs.. If you liked Silence, you'll probably like this movie too.

It had everything from the serial killer on the loose to the interview with the psychopathic killer in jail (sniffing the air, even!).. But, I loved Silence - and though I didn't realize the similarities until the end, this held my attention up until the last suspenseful minute.

Well worth my two hours! Bruce Dern and Kelly McGillis stood out in their roles - good casting.. good movie..

I love the confrontation of the female detective with the male detectives formerly on the case but got no clue.They tried to discourage her but she was determined to succeed. I love her style. she decided to take the bull by the horn when there was no help forth coming from detectives who were earlier on the case. From what may be considered by the ordinary eye as an insignificant piece of evidence in one of the last crime scene,she was able to make an in road into a case that was for other detectives an impenetrable virgin forest.A piece of doll became the master key that opened that blind alley that other detectives could not see.Who says persistence does not pay.It is interesting to note that the moment she had that close shave with the suspect, her sharp instincts told her that was her man. She maintained her cool and showed no excitement. The female dick for me was the star in the movie.The criminal thought he was a perfect criminal but he met a perfect Detective whose eyes were sharper than an eagle's. Sumary: A good crime series movie,that succeeded in exposing some of the very bad lukewarm attitude of the police in times when they should rise up to the challenges of duty calls.It is also informative in the sense that people should try and look beyond what they see and people they want to tag along with.The female folk should heed this warning as they are more vulnerable.