VHS : Prey Of The Jaguar

Rating: - Prey of the Jaguar [1996]
In comparison with films such as 'The Crow' and Tim Burton's 'Batman' and 'Batman Returns', this take on the Jaguar comic book series is perhaps not as dark and stylish as the aforementioned. But as a 1990s superhero flick it is not 'all' that bad.

OK, with the arrival of the Millenium and the subsequent rise of the superhero movie - 'Sin City', 'Spiderman', 'Daredevil' and 'Ghost Rider' to name but a few - Jaguar is now well down on the list - taking into consideration the limited use of special effects.

Nevertheless, the story holds up well. As with most comic book heroes, the Jaguar is a tortured soul - his family have been murdered and he is now bent solely upon revenge against the druglords who are responsible for their deaths. The film has its dark moments and Jaguar's costume and appearance is sinister enough; but, it still has that 90s low budget action movie feel to it. This inevitably lets the film down when making comparisons with 'Batman' and 'The Crow'.

Maxwell Caulfield plays Jaguar (the ex-agent/cop) trained in the use of weapons and marshal arts: he takes on the persona of a comic book character created by his son and so the hero is born. Considering many of Caulfield's less than prudent movie choices throughout the 1990s, 'Prey of the Jaguar' is not one of them, the film being made around the time he was starring in 'Gettysburg', 'The Real Blonde' and 'Empire Records' - a string of comeback movies.

Stacy Keach (star of the 'Mike Hammer' TV Series) is the leader of the undercover agency where Jaguar once worked; Linda Blair ('The Exorcist') plays a street detective, trying to track down this renegade clad in black.

A competent cast and story, then.

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Rating: - Jaguar's Prey
Ok, lets get one thing straight before we begin. 'Prey of the Jaguar' is not up there with 'Batman', 'Batman Returns', 'The Crow', 'Blade' and 'Spawn'. Having got that off my chest, it must be said that this is not a bad film at all.

I first wanted to see this film when it was released in 1996, but the availability was limited ... even in the rental outlets. I think this was due to a spate of bad reviews that focused on the lead character's bad moustache, instead of concentrating on the plot and so on.

Well, eight years on and I discovered this copy on VHS format, and just had to purchase it. Before we get into the film, let's get one more thing cleared up. Yes, this video should carry a 'bad moustache warning', but the moustache only lasts for the first fifteen minutes or so - when the guy becomes 'Jaguar', its quickly dispensed with.

So, what's the general synopsis? Back Story: Special agent Derek Leigh (Maxwell Caulfield) sent a druglord, Damien Bandera, to prison. He was immediately put into a witness relocation program in order to protect his family. Cut to the present: Derek Leigh has left the Special Ops and has opted for a normal family life. Conflict: Bandera escapes from prison, regenerates his drug trafficking business and wreaks revenge on Derek Leigh and his family, callously murdering his wife and young son. Derek adopts the superhero persona created by his son and, wraught with anger and pain, goes after Bandera once more. Resolution: buy this movie and find out!

Their is a great cast here. The leading character is played by Maxwell Caulfield (Grease 2, The Supernaturals, The Boys Next Door). 'Prey of the Jaguar' was part of his mid-nineties comeback, along with Tom DiCillo's 'The Real Blonde', Ronald F. Maxwell's 'Gettsyburg', teen angst comedy 'Empire Records', and Bill Murray's 'The Man Who Knew Too Little'. Caulfield plays the superhero character with ease, possessing both agility and a comic-strip sense of humour. Jaguar's outfit is preety cool, and dark like the film. And a great supporting cast includes Stacey Keach (who plays Mike Hammer in the TV series) and Linda Blair (The Exorcist).

'Prey of the Jaguar' is true to the heroes portrayed in countless American comic books. It contains gun fights, martial arts, and explosive action.

Move over Spiderman, Daredevil, and The Hulk - The Jaguar is looking for justice!

Director: David DeCoteau (Final Stab a.k.a Final Scream)