Hidden Gem , A dedicated L.A. police detective and a female psychic must stop a demonic serial killer the Pentagram Killer, one of Satan's disciples, possesses the First Power; the powers of resurrection, teleportation and possession.
The First Power is a pretty entertaining cops vs. serial killer movie with some interesting supernatural/Satanic twists. Resnikoff paces the movie quite well and keeps the action moving along at a good clip. The film also builds quite well to a pretty satisfactory conclusion that proves to be effective.
The film also has an appropriately dark look to it .Resnikoff slowly introduces more horror elements into the picture. There's good use of some interesting shadowy locations and the cinematography and lighting teams do an impressive job of balancing shadow and light in clever ways to create an eerie neo-noir atmosphere .
I was impressed by Lou Diamond Phillips (Logan),he finds comfort in this serial killer thriller, completely convincing as a cop on the edge, tracking an elusive madman with ties to Satanism.
Beautiful Tracy Griffith (Tess) is good as a professional psychic driven to stop when she starts seeing the pentagram killer after his death. She's a proactive character and a good foil for Logan. Tess doesn't come across as some kind of New Age flake, but a grounded person who speaks matter-of-factually about the spirit world.
The real scene stealer in the movie, however, is Jeff Kober as the Pentagram killer . He's obviously having a good time with the part and does a great job of creating some palpable menace with his character. The work of the three leads, combined with a few decent supporting efforts and the right balance of action, horror and suspense make The First Power is an entertaining thriller and a supernatural neo-noir ; a fine way to kill an hour and a half . 8/10
There is a 32 minute interview with Lou Diamond Phillips, 17 minute interview with Jeff Kober, and the original trailer. The interviews are excellent, and are full of behind the scenes details.
The First Power
1990
Action / Crime / Horror / Thriller
The First Power
1990
Action / Crime / Horror / Thriller
Keywords: serial killer
Plot summary
A killer is given the gas chamber after committing several demonic murders. His spirit is released and given power by the Devil. Now the cop that caught him before must find a way to do it again.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
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Tech specs
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The First Power (1990)
In League With a Lower Power
The only thing that The First Power really has going for it is that it affords Jeff Kober an opportunity to play one of his lovely variety of psychotic villains that he's done so well in the last 25 years. Kober is a worthy successor to Lyle Bettger who specialized in those parts back in the Fifties.
But it's not enough, The First Power is a souped up slasher flick that has Lou Diamond Phillips wasted as an LAPD detective who has a specialty in catching serial killers. Kober is his latest catch, but Kober's in league with a lower power and they're going to team up and make Lou's life miserable for him. Even after Kober is given the gas chamber, his spirit comes back in all kinds of guises.
Mykelti Williamson is on hand as Lou's partner who meets a nasty end involving a demon possessed horse and Tracy Griffith as a psychic and Elizabeth Arlen as a nun with insights are around to help Lou. Will he succeed in battling forces from beyond?
By the time the film ends, you no longer care. Lou really got trapped in a turkey. Maybe the devil made him do this film.
Changing power
Jeff Kober ... doing his thing as is Lou Diamond Phillps. Funnily enough I had never seen this and it looks and feels like a movie I would have cherished in the late 90s - video store glory days and all that.
It seem to be infamous enough (to get a release by 88 Films and being talked about a lot too),but hey: better late than never, right? So this is as out there as it gets and the movie really needs you to suspend your disbelief. You may need as much time as Lou Diamonds character needs in this movie ... it may still not be enough to wrap your head around it though.
This is flawed and has not aged gracefully. Still it can be campy 80s/90s throwback fun, if you let it. Not much in the story department, apart from that idea of ... supernatural madness.