Potentially, this film could have been a seriously disturbing flick. The reason it failed in my eyes wasn't because of the hand-held cam, it wasn't even that the acting was extremely dreadful, as it was in fact acceptable enough. When taking on a subject like this, there should be one major goal in the filmmakers minds of the utmost importance, make the story as realistic & believable as possible no matter what the cost, this just didn't occur.

The story consists of three social outcast nerds who, after years of abuse & bullying, decide it's time to stand up & turn the tables on one particular bully named Dax. It's the summer before their senior year and they feel as though maybe, if done correctly, this prank will redeem them in the eyes of their fellow classmates and possibly win the affection of a certain girl who one of them happens to have a crush on. Of course all of this is to be filmed & posted on the internet in hopes of a colossal payday which will finance the other boy's dream of hitting thirteen Star Trek conventions in a row, yes, lame indeed. Which brings me to another area of the film in which I felt was just lazy & completely unimaginative, the cardboard, cookie-cutter characters of the three nerds. They adhered to making them the most clichéd bunch of geeks ever concocted. Which was ultimately forgivable when looking at the big picture and the overall effect in which they were sequentially reaching for, to make the viewer uncomfortable, unsettled and inherently disturbed. A goal that was just not met.

I won't go into specifics of the plot that I felt led to the overall downfall of the film's believability, but I will say that the prank within a prank was not concealed well, it was completely obvious to me and it crippled the film's credibility beyond repair. The plot became completely disjointed & ultimately contradicted the premise set forth in the beginning. I know what they were reaching for here because I've seen it accomplished in other films quite well, where the viewer becomes immersed into the story and is left shocked & disturbed at the film's end because it was in fact so believable, not so in this case. I don't recommend wasting your time with this.

unsubstantiated is the word that came to mind throughout this movie, as well as clichéd. there was very little reason for a camera to be carried by the character through much of the movie. also the actions of the characters were not in keeping with who they were portrayed to be leading up to their actions.

it started out with a bit of promise, but the plot twist could be seen from a mile away.

thin, hackneyed, not at all gripping, with no point, and very little to say about bullying. in the end it was a movie about nothing that meant nothing.

This film is so incredibly timely given all the happenings in recent years around school violence and bullying. It also has a number of strikes against it. Director and writer are one in the same, indie low budget film, no-name actors, and a hand cam "home video" style film...its usually a recipe for a disaster. This was anything but. This film proved that there are still brilliant newcomers out there that can make a solid low budget film with a great story. The film is not a horror movie per se though it certainly has moments of genuine gore and pure terror but its also a drama/thriller revolving around two young men who have been bullied for years by the school jock. The pacing of the film was only a little off. I thought it dragged a little especially in the beginning but I understand they were trying to really establish these characters and I can't fault them for that. I have seen so many hand-cam horror flicks lately and I am sick of them. I didn't think I could possibly enjoy a film done in that style again, it has been so overdone. Well for Prank it absolutely works. My biggest issue with hand-cam films is that it is almost always ridiculous that a camera would be running all this time. However, with Prank nearly every shot makes sense. You could reasonable understand why a camera would be on for the most part. It still is a stretch in some parts but less than most films of this type.

Our two lead actors are destined to be in bigger things if people see this. They were both excellent, plain and simple. They both have incredibly complex and well written characters and an incredible character arc to both of them. In the beginning I thought Nick Renaud was really stealing the show. He had this intensity and strength and stereotypical geek character that was trying to get his vengeance. Renaud was great and in the end when he shows his emotional breakdown, it is just terrific. Henry Monfries starts out as the distant, aloof sarcastic teenager and arcs into a near monster when his breakdown happens. He has easily some of the most visually brilliant scenes in the film. The blood stained "Kiss The Cook" apron is something you will not forget from this movie. The two of them together have great chemistry and a bizarre relationship that works. The supporting cast are all good and fit their roles well enough. None of them particularly stand out though Alastair Ferrie as the object of the vengeance, the bully Dax is particularly good. Gemmenne de la Peña seems like she is going to be really good but gets pulled from the film in the beginning and doesn't show up again hardly at all.

Director and writer Yiuwing Lam goes immediately to my "one to watch" list. He crafts this brilliantly and the cinematography is so well done for a low budget film and a hand-cam. The film has its faults of course but considering what it could be, they are easily overlook-able. Nonetheless I did have some issues. The main characters are incredibly stereotypical, cookie cutter "nerds." The multiple Star Trek references, the tape on the nose, just the entire existence of these two boys is lifted right from every nerd stereotype. Neither one of them are very likable at any given time but you certainly feel pity for them. The only other major plot hole that really bothered me was there are no adults in this film. No parents, no teachers, no adults of any kind. At one point we see a sister but other than that...nothing. They do try to explain away on of their fathers but it still isn't enough to make you forget about it. The ending was a little more complex than I would have liked. I appreciate a good twist and it made sense but somehow it made the film seem less impactful. Still it managed to turn it around and really get under your skin. Those of you that appreciate indie film making, this is one to check out. It is entertaining and disturbing and certainly worth a watch. 7/10