APEX

US, 2021, 93 minutes, Colour.

Neal McDonough, Bruce Willis, Cory Large, Alexia Fast, Lochlyn Monro, Nelson Lennarson, Megan Peter Hill, Trevor Gretsky.

Directed by Edward Dake.

Apex, also called Apex Predator, is based on the famous and popular short story of 1924 by Richard Connell, The Most Dangerous Game. It was filmed in 1932 and there have been many variations of the plot since, including a 2022 version with the same title stirring Tom Berenger.

The opening introduces us to a completely ruthless hunter, Rainsford, Neal McDonough, respectable but, as we learn and he has murdered his wife. He belongs to a group of hunters, wealthy elite men (and one woman) who pay fees to go to Apex island in order to hunt. They pay big money for human prey. The organisers suggest that an effective prey would be a former policeman, Malone, who has been in isolation for seven years. He is played by Bruce Willis in the style of his many, very many, action shows since the 2000s.

The film was shot in British Columbia, forest sequences, and a lavish headquarters where the hunters can return to. There are many conversation scenes, business rivalries, competitive attitudes. And Malone is released as their prey. Needless to say, he often gets the better of them. But, the rivalries between the hunters takes over, one wounded by Malone then killed by a rival hunter. Rainsford seems supremely superior to everyone and he to kill his rivals.

Ultimately, there is the expected elimination of most of the hunters and a buildup to a confrontation, verbal and violent between Rainsford and Malone.

The film was not particularly well received, even amongst Bruce Willis fans who, by this stage of his career, just before his having to retire because of aphasia, who felt that he was accepting any part without discrimination.