The First Power

Entertaining movie, which has a sort of dream-like quality, a good share of scary moments and is quite well thought out. A serial "Pentagram" killer is sentenced to death. It doesn't end here, though, as he's resurrected by the Devil himself and comes back for vengeance. Lou Diamond Phillips is convincing and red-headed Tracy Griffith is a babe. The arch-villain will give you the creeps. Personally, I quite enjoyed this and have it in my personal video collection. Good choice for all occult fans! Rating: 7 out of 10

I'm going to agree with Ava de Lara (no relation): Jeff Kober as the serial killer Patrick Channing is the best thing about this movie. He completely understands how this material is to be played (tongue in bloody cheek), and he has great energy. The movie is just not as good when he's not onscreen. (My favorite scene is the one in the confessional.) Overall, the movie's "rules" for the killer are not well established. I never completely believe Lou Diamond Phillips as a cop. He does crack a few good lines though. Tracy Griffith is OK, but she gets increasingly shrill as the movie goes on. It shows up on TBS a lot, and I recommend you watch it for Jeff Kober's performance. This is the first of his "serial killer returning from the grave to exact demonic revenge" characters, which he's also done as a guest shot on POLTERGEIST: THE LEGACY and CHARMED.

This is no oscar-winner but is an entertaining movie, if you overlook several cheesy moments (like a cross/knife wielding nun?) I think this could have been an even better movie with a little more work on the script, because it is well-directed and all the actors are excellent. And this movie gets bonus points for co-starring Tracy Griffith, one of the most gorgeous actresses in Hollywood! But hey thats just my opinion.

as far as the cannon of supernatural movies goes,this one ranks fairly high.it's a really good fast paced thriller,but the Catholic Church is not painted in a very positive lite.if you're Catholic,you might be bothered by this film.most people probably would take it for what it is,a thrilling,genuinely creepy mini portrayal of the occult and it's mysticism.there are a few things that don't quite make sense,but many movies of this genre have that designation.obviously,you have to really suspend your disbelief.if your person that doesn't easily do that,you could easily pick this movie apart,and probably wouldn't enjoy.or possibly,you might find it so absurd,it's funny.i just accepted it for what it is,and enjoyed it.for me,"The First Power" is an 8/10

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.