Product Details

• Actors: Natasha Henstridge, Johnathon Schaech, Michael Filipowich, David McIlwraith, Robin Brûlé
• Directors: Graeme Clifford
• Writers: Craig Smith
• Producers: Armand Mastroianni, Barbara Black, David Lancaster, Frank Siracusa, Jeffrey Morton
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Hbo Home Video
• VHS Release Date: March 13, 2001
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0783116624
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #430,276 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Pretty ornithologist Rachel (Natasha Henstridge) agrees to let a team of FBI agents take over her apartment for a strategic observation post when Nelson Mandela comes to town. Rachel's lonely, though, and when one of the agents sees that, he seduces her. Surprise! He turns out not to be an FBI agent at all, and is actually a ruthless assassin. She foils his first attempt on Mandela's life and soon finds herself on his list of witnesses to be eliminated. Her estranged mom (Lauren Hutton) is also in jeopardy as he ties up loose ends. This is a film that could almost be good, but it has a few factors working against it: The assassin (Jonathon Schaech) occasionally slips in and out of his South African accent, Rachel's adenoidal best friend is just plain irritating, and Hutton still looks a bit too good to be a down-and-out alcoholic nympho ex-hippie bag lady. Also, the story telegraphs its plot twists well in advance--Rachel's friend may as well have a tattoo that says "dead girl" across her forehead from the very start.

Still, the movie tries hard and occasionally succeeds, despite its slack direction and murky plot, achieving a bloody slam-bang thrill or two along the way. Those who enjoy guilty-pleasure filmmaking should like Caracara, if they don't look too closely at the threadbare spots. Caracara, by the way, is a rare bird of prey that Rachel keeps for a pet in her apartment; the multifaceted bird doubles up on metaphorical duty as well. --Jerry Renshaw

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PREDATORS, December 1, 2004

By 

Michael Butts (Berkeley Springs, WV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Caracara (DVD)

CARACARA is a species of hawk that figures in this well done film. In fact, there are two "predators" as a viewer will discover.
Despite the negative reviews of other viewers, I found the film very interesting and original. Natasha Henstridge steps out of her alien shoes from "Species" and plays an ornithologist who has the caracara named Humphrey. One night two men claiming to be FBI agents ask her if they can use her apartment for top secret surveillance. Her girlfriend talks her into doing it, and before long, a fill in agent, played by the dashing Johnathon Schaech (Hush, Judas, Forsaken) shows up and Natasha falls for him. All, however, is not as it seems and a conspiratorial plot involving President Nelson Mendela unfolds, and Natasha is caught in the middle. Lauren Hutton appears as Natasha's alcoholic mama, and David Filipowich does a nice turn as detective Jack Pellegrino.
The photography is wintry and evocative; the musical by Christophe Beck is pleasant, and the performances are good. I found it entertaining in a guilty way, and forgave it for any of its minor flaws. The caracara was a beautiful and original plot device.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For Henstrich fans only, May 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Caracara (DVD)

If you are willing to watch Natasha Henstrich in virtually anything, then this movie is a good bet for you. It's a watchable if fairly predictable thriller, in which the main plus is that Natasha does indeed graciously show us her fabulous naked breasts. If that's reason enough to check it out, then I can recommend that you rent or buy this flic. If on the other hand, you are looking for an action-packed movie with a charismatic bad guy and an eye opening climactic conclusion, I'm afraid you will be sadly disappointed by this film.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, December 26, 2011

By 

forgetthegouge (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Caracara : HBO Uncut Edition (DVD)

CARACARA is a species of hawk that figures in this well done film. In fact, there are two "predators" as a viewer will discover.
Despite the negative reviews of other viewers, I found the film very interesting and original. Natasha Henstridge steps out of her alien shoes from "Species" and plays an ornithologist who has the caracara named Humphrey. One night two men claiming to be FBI agents ask her if they can use her apartment for top secret surveillance. Her girlfriend talks her into doing it, and before long, a fill in agent, played by the dashing Johnathon Schaech (Hush, Judas, Forsaken) shows up and Natasha falls for him. All, however, is not as it seems and a conspiratorial plot involving President Nelson Mendela unfolds, and Natasha is caught in the middle. Lauren Hutton appears as Natasha's alcoholic mama, and David Filipowich does a nice turn as detective Jack Pellegrino.
The photography is wintry and evocative; the musical by Christophe Beck is pleasant, and the performances are good. I found it entertaining in a guilty way, and forgave it for any of its minor flaws. The caracara was a beautiful and original plot device.