THE FIRST POWER

Directed and written by Robert Resnikoff
Cinematography by Theo Van de Sande
Music by Stewart Copeland
Cast: Lou Diamond Phillips, Tracy Griffith, Jeff Kober, Mykelti Willimason, Elizbaeth Arlen

1990/98 mins/Color/Stereo Surround
1.85:1 Anamorphic/English/US/NTSC Region 1

Review from MGM DVD

A Satan worshiping, serial killer, Patrick Channing (Jeff Kober), has been murdering victims and cutting pentagrams onto their chests. Detective Russell Logan (Lou Diamond Phillips) has finally caught him, and despite being warned otherwise by a female voice on the phone, helps to get him sent to the gas chamber. Now, Channing has returned from beyond the grave, as Satan as granted him the First Power, resurrection. He can now possess the weak, and he could be anyone. The voice on the phone turns out to be beautiful psychic Tess Seaton (the ravishing Tracy Griffith), who helps him stop Channing. But as time passes Channing gets stronger and stronger, will they be able to?

THE FIRST POWER was another in a series of serial killers who come back from the grave batch of movies (like SHOCKER and THE HORROR SHOW) that were coming out in the late 80s-early 90s. I think it ain’t as good as THE HORROR SHOW, but still ranks as one of the best of these films. It has its flaws, no the least of which is the hokey shock ending, but I still enjoy it.

The best thing the movie has going for it is Kober as Channing. The guy is fucking awesome in his role. He has this wonderfully evil smile and just really seems to be having fun playing the seemingly unstoppable, body hoping, Satanic Channing. Tracy Griffith (the way hotter and more talented half-sister to Melanie) is simply gorgeous. I know she was also in SLEEPAWAY CAMP III: UNHAPPY CAMPERS (which is the worst of the three, I think), but I really wish she had done more films, horror or otherwise. Lou (LA BAMBA) Diamond Phillips is good in his role, but he maybe the most beat-up horror hero, since Ash from the EVIL DEAD trilogy. He gets kicked in the balls so many times, that it almost seems as he has a fucking target on his crotch!

It moves at a fast pace, so you are never bored. Sure, it is also rather empty headed and not highly original, but it is loads of fun. Plus, it has some real impressive stunt work. Gore wise, there are only some impaling, headshots, stabbings, acid baths, the gory aftermaths of the murders, etc. But, to be honest, I don’t mind the lack of more grue.

THE FIRST POWER possesses our DVD player thanks to MGM. It is presented in its original 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation. The picture quality is good with rich colors, and no artifacting. Overall it is a very good transfer that, only at times, is a bit soft. The stereo sound is loud and takes good advantage of the film’s exciting action scenes.

The disc comes in a keepcase with no inlet card and really crappy cover. The disc is broken up into sixteen chapters, accessible from the boring static menu. The movie’s rather cool trailer is the only extra in the bare-bones release.

Image:

Audio:

Extras

Packaging:

This Film Features:

Review by Giovanni Deldio. All Right Reserved. 2007. ©