The First Power (1989)
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13% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
45% of users liked it
(5,809 ratings)
This lackluster attempt at blending equal parts action movie and supernatural thriller ends up sacrificing the merits of both genres. The plot finds baby-faced homicide detective Logan (Lou Diamond Phillips) on the trail of "Pentagram Killer" Patrick Channing (Jeff Kober), negligibly… More This lackluster attempt at blending equal parts action movie and supernatural thriller ends up sacrificing the merits of both genres. The plot finds baby-faced homicide detective Logan (Lou Diamond Phillips) on the trail of "Pentagram Killer" Patrick Channing (Jeff Kober), negligibly assisted by lots of occult mumbo-jumbo espoused by various doomsaying members of the Catholic Church. Channing is eventually captured and executed, but this turns out to be a big mistake: one of the Satanic powers Channing managed to acquire through ritual sacrifice is the power to transfer his soul into other living bodies, allowing him to roam about incognito and continue his killing spree. There is little overt horror on display, as we usually see only the aftermath of Channing's evil deeds; there is scarcely enough mystery to propel the police-procedural elements either. Worse, the producers apparently decided to toss in a romantic subplot involving Phillips and psychic Tracy Griffith to keep things interesting, but fail to sustain credibility even in this department. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Resnikoff
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Horror
- In Theaters
- Apr 6, 1990 Wide
- Studio
- Orion Pictures Corporation
Critic Reviews
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Cheesy horror flick, not worth your time
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
When it stops making no sense, it's really quite boring.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Lou Diamond Phillips
as Det. Russell Logan
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Tracy Griffith
as Tess Seaton
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Jeff Kober
as Patrick Channing
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Mykelti Williamson
as Detective Oliver Franklin
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Elizabeth Arlen
as Sister Marguerite
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Dennis Lipscomb
as Commander Perkins
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Carmen Argenziano
as Lieutenant Grimes
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Julianna McCarthy
as Grandma
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Nada Despotovich
as Bag Lady
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Susan Giosa
as Carmen
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Clayton Landey
as Mazza
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Hansford Rowe
as Father Brian
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Philip Abbott
as Cardinal
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David Gale
as Monsignor
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J. Patrick McNamara
as Priest
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Grand L. Bush
as Resevoir Worker
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Melanie Shatner
as Shopgirl
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Andrew Amador
as Reporter #1
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Mark Bringelson
as Driver in Alley
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Mitch Carter
as Uniform Cop #1
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Robert Colaizzi
as Driver
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William Fair
as Detective #2
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Gokul
as Street Vendor
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Ron J. Goodman
as Bum in Hotel
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Todd Jeffries
as Cop
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David Katims
as Man In Parking Structure
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Tiiu Leek
as Reporter
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Brian Libby
as Bum, Detective
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Lynne Marta
as Nun
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Paula McClure
as Reporter #2
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Michael McNab
as Uniform
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Jeff Mooring
as Uniform Cop
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Bill Moseley
as Bartender
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Charles Raymond
as Gang Member #1
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Lisa Specht
as Anchorwoman
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R. David Stephens
as Desk Clerk
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Oz Tortora
as Antonio
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Dan Tullis Jr.
as Cop at Arrest
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Michael Wise
as Cop at Tenement
- Mindy Marin
-
David J. Partington
as Detective
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Scott Lawrence
as Gang Member
