The First Power

Some movies get a bit lost in the shuffle and The First Power seems to have suffered from bad timing if anything. Released at the start of the 90's when horror was on the decline, it didn't seem that there was much of an audience for this kind of movie, but it's not a bad movie at all and a lot of fun.

Lou Diamond Phillips plays a cop whose track record for finding and imprisoning serial killers is some sort of legend. He gets an anonymous tip from a mysterious woman about the whereabouts of a killer named The Pentagram Killer, but warns him to only catch him and imprison him - not to kill him. He catches him, but the killer ends up getting executed in prison and his evil spirit is now free to torment and kill more people - this time, by jumping into other people's bodies.

The First Power might have a few missteps here and there (the killer's need to crack jokes reeks of late-stage Freddy Krueger and the nun character only seems to show up when necessary and is pure plot device), but the pacing is pretty even and the performances aren't bad with Phillips holding down the fort well as the lead and Tracy Griffith does well as the psychic.

In my opinion this is a very good film. A super underrated flick and that is usually going to be one of those ones that go under the radar the end up being a very good movie.

I've got to be honest here: I first saw this movie in my teens and loved it, so I might be a bit biased here, ignoring it's flaws. Just saw it again, over 10 years later, and I gotta say, while it didn't have the 'wow' effect it gave me before, It still holds up as a decent movie. This movie is fast paced and just crammed with awesome ideas that sometimes work, and sometimes could have been used more effectively.

What do we have?

• An insane serial killer - This guy just oozes evil, amazing bad guy.

• A very cute psychic - man did I have a crush on her!

• Plenty of mysterious happenings and scares (though not very scary for seasoned moviegoers)

• Cool action sequences. That ceiling fan scene is so awesome.

• Satanic superpowers. How is that not super cool?

• The pacing is great, with lots of interesting scenes.

• Nice touches of humor now and then.

So What could be better?

• The ending is a bit unsatisfying.

• Things could be bigger and more epic.

• While decent, Lou Diamond Philips could be replaced with many other actors, and there are more charismatic ones out there.

• Seeing it again, it wasn't that scary, but I remember that it was the first time. Could be scarier though, I guess.

• If you analyze things too much, there are lots of small plot holes.

This movie is like an older, more low budget version of 'End of Days' with Arnold Schwarzenegger (which I liked as well). If what I told you sounds interesting, this movie is a great way to spice up a boring Sunday evening!

Regular Horror/Thriller that has some decent scenes for the Horror fans. First, it deals with the devil and possession after death. Lou Diamond Phillips is a man tormented by his past and his belief in God is in predicament. He thinks his father didn't deserve to die. In fact, that event causes a series of situations like his mother turning crazy. Could he find the serial killer he is after to? Could he solve the mystery of the First Power?

Watch it and find it. Not a good Horror flick but sure it's entertaining. My only beef is that it doesn't have a creepy atmosphere or a dark setting; the plot asks for it! Also, there's a point where it's necessary to have some Horror related scenes but the movie focuses more on drama and thriller.

Lou Diamond Philips' performance is the best thing about the movie. Mrs. Griffith also delivers a nice performance and helps a lot that she's very beautiful and charming.

Delivers some chilling scenes but relies on the dramatic side more. Be warned you could be bored if you are looking for a straight Horror movie. Still it has a creepy vibe and very well done plot.

Give it a chance.

A Los Angeles detective (Lou Diamond Phillips) teams-up with a winsome psychic (Tracy Griffith) to nab a nutso serial killer who was executed, but uncannily continues to manifest for more slayings.

"The First Power" (1990) is a fast-paced crime thriller with occult-oriented horror. It takes "The Night Stalker" (1972) template minus the vampire angle and mixes it with the real-life Richard Ramirez case, "Spellbinder" (1988) and "The Hidden" (1987).

It's as entertaining as any of those three movies, as well as more amusing, but it's hampered by predictableness. For instance, when the protagonist goes into the confessional you know exactly what's going to happen. Then there are some unlikely bits, like a vat of acid strategically placed in a sewer that explodes. Why Sure! Meanwhile the final scene leaves a sour taste.

Nevertheless, likable Lou works well as the driven detective while Redhead Tracy Griffith is a highlight. You might remember her from "Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland" (1989).

The film runs 1 hour, 38 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles.

GRADE: B-