Deadliest Prey (2013) Review ​

 

War veteran Mike Danton, now living a peaceful family life, is ambushed while taking out the trash and finds himself once again fighting for survival in the wilderness.

The late David A. Prior's long-awaited sequel, Deadliest Prey, brings the same chaotic energy as its predecessor, but with a new revenge-driven twist. Deadly Prey remains a cult classic of low-budget action filmmaking done right, blending over-the-top acting, a pulsating synth-rock score, and Ted Prior's iconic mullet.

With the same pounding score the story picks up 27 years after the original. Col. Hogan (David Campbell), now released from prison, has spent his incarceration plotting revenge against Mike Danton (Ted Prior), minus the mullet. The film is more or less a remake, mirroring Deadly Prey as Danton eliminates Hogan's soldiers one by one using improvised weapons, traps, and sheer ingenuity. Prior's follow-up stays true to its roots, maintaining the original's spirit while adding modern touches, such as an Internet-streaming subplot complete with hacker characters.

The cast shines in traditional B-movie fashion. Ted Prior reprises his iconic role with his usual fine form. David Campbell delivers an even more unhinged portrayal of Hogan this time around. Fritz Matthews returns as Thornton's twin brother, bringing his own vengeful motivations to the party. Prior's Danton balances heroism with moments of reflection, while Tara Kleinpeter impresses as Sophia, evoking a similar standout presence as Dawn Abraham's character in the original. With Danton's first wife killed in the earlier film, Cat Tomeny steps in as his new wife, Allison, and Hogan gleefully riffs on this for the audience's amusement.

Practical effects, including pyrotechnics, elevate the action sequences, keeping them engaging and fun. The film's strength lies in its unapologetic embrace of the absurd. From callbacks to Danton's eating habits, to inventive kills involving knives and explosions, it honors its cult origins. The climactic scene, where Hogan inadvertently severs Thornton's arm-mirroring the first film-and Danton uses it as a weapon, epitomizes the film's outlandish spirit.

Overall, while it doesn't quite reach the original's iconic cult status, Deadliest Prey comes close. It's David's and his brother Ted's poignant "getting the band back together" before passing away in 2015. Fans will appreciate its nostalgic nods and relentless action.