Prey Alone

I watched this film online and if I hadn't read the description of what it was first, I never would have believed it. Apparently, aside from the actors and some hand props, this entire short film was made using computer generated graphics--all of it. And in the fifteen minutes it runs, there are more chases, explosions and action in an entire DIE HARD movie.

At first, the film seems to have an ill-developed plot, as I felt a bit lost. If you feel this way, DO NOT stop watching--let the film continue until it ends and it will all make sense--trust me (have I let you down before?).

A wonderful achievement and a heck of a film considering how it was made.

I watched it online, well, I watched the first 30 seconds ,, thought "this is a bad school project" .. fast forwarded to 1/3... to 1/2.. then to 3/4 .. thought "wow, this is bad, even the computer generated graphics is done by amateurs" and then I started watching from the beginning ..

after about 3 minutes the plot of this really short movie starts to be interesting but the graphics still look kind of silly ..

So I watched it for the plot .. and then came the end .. and the revelation..

And then I watched everything again and I can tell you .. This short film is just excellent !! Including the Graphics !! ;)

Brilliant, Bloody stunning!

We've only seen the tip of the iceberg, here this Duo is concerned!! Hey Ledge & Wingnut, keep up the excellent work!!! Congrats on being signed.... Long overdue. Don't forget those of us below the line!!! Call me when y'all get out here to LA.LA. land and we'll wreck n' blaze! Stay real fellas. S. Yer Mick Mate, priming the pumps out here in your new hunting ground!! Brilliant, Bloody stunning!

We've only seen the tip of the iceberg, here this Duo is concerned!! Hey Ledge & Wingnut, keep up the excellent work!!! Congrats on being signed.... Long overdue. Don't forget those of us below the line!!! Call me when y'all get out here to LA.LA. land and we'll wreck n' blaze! Stay real fellas. S. Yer Mick Mate, priming the pumps out here in your new hunting ground!!

"...Prey Alone is a high octane, ball busting, roaring screaming chase movie set somewhere in the near future...

...It is in fact the first digital home movie. None of the backgrounds even exist - they were all created in computers...

...the only elements of live action in the movie are the actors and some hand props...

...it's not just an example of imaginative cinematic techniques, it has a powerful narrative with a thoroughly satisfying & clever twist in the tale that ties up all the loose ends and wraps up the experience with a big bow." Well. There you go. There's not much else to say really! Quote courtesy of the homepage.

The short is tight, dark and tense, giving a great feeling of paranoia and a bit of confusion from the beginning, and before long it's kicking into high gear to to reach a superbly satisfying and totally unexpected finale. The story is clever, and well woven in throughout the piece with clues and references throughout.

These guys really know where to place a camera and how to pull the audience along with them and into the action. Speaking of which there are some really cool moments that look superb on screen, and the effects that make up a huge part of this movie are complimentary and not overpowering. There's no Bullet-Time type effect that takes you out of the movie and you stare in awe at the effect itself, no all of this fits in and although there are scenes you're aware you're looking at an effect, it's not a movie drop out moment.

The acting is good as well, as this is often where shorts and movies alike with limited budgets can fall over. Not here though, not at all. The actors are strong, restrained and in particular Ger Carey who does a great job giving more with his facial expressions than with words.

There are a couple of "no way" moments, but then you hardly have time to think about them, the action is moving too fast, and it's big toy action so you can't help but grin.

If only some of the big Hollywood movies had this much good quality in them, most probably wouldn't break the ten minute mark.

You have to see this short, and it's easy to get hold of too, just check it out from the site itself. Get to it through the Gallery section to find out more information and see the trailer, there's quite a bit of behind the scenes information and pictures, and hit the Mpeg section to download the 15 minute movie.

Prey Alone - wow, what a film, what a concept, what production values!! And that's just from having seen the trailer and checked out the excellent website that promotes this short film. I really really need to see this - where can it be bought on DVD? Downloaded? Seen on a big screen in the UK? The world needs more films like this one and I am inspired by the fact that this has been made... not least because it is the sort of thing that the Darkmatters project (novel, trailer, website) is looking to do at some point when the funding i.e. book deal is in place... Excellent stuff - Gogol Darkmatters if you want to see what I'm talking about!!