A 17th century Warlock (Julian Sands) flees his execution and leaps forward to 1988, where he plans to reunite the pages of a Satanic bible. He’s followed by his rival, Redferne (Richard E. Grant), who teams up with average Kassandra (Lori Singer) to take him down.
So, in some ways, it’s a reversed, less ambitious version of the Terminator formula. Written by David Twhoy and directed by the man who gave Jason his hockey mask and took away half of Michael Myer’s filmography, Steve Miner; Warlock sat on the shelf for at least two years due to New World Pictures financial woes. It was picked up by Trimark, who gave it a limited release in early 1991. The film looks a little low rent to me and plays pretty much like a DTV film, but still manages to have a degree of cheesy fun about it.
To its credit, it knows what it is. It doesn’t attempt to hold off on the introduction of the title character, nor does it waste any time getting to the action. It’s not really a gory film at all, and relies more on the fantastical; which was fitting. I’d actually call it more of a Fantasy film than Horror; though it’s subject matter alone is going to give it that label. I felt Sands did a fine job as the Warlock; giving him a good balance of suave and smarm. I also found it somewhat amusing that he resembled the early incarnation of WWE wrestler Triple H.
However, and this is no fault of Sands, I felt the character was a little underwritten as far as his abilities. There were several times in the story that he came off as too vulnerable and not that threatening to the main characters. One of the only things I felt the sequel improved upon. Though, his goal in this film is befitting of an evil character of his type.
Singer makes Kassandra a passable character, I suppose, even if she’s written a bit too shallow for my liking. Her 80’s hair and clothes should provide a few laughs. As will the idea that she’s supposed to be 20 years-old. I found Redferne to be more grating. I don’t know if it was Grant’s accent or the awful roadkill duster that he never takes off. But, I did appreciate the sense that Grant seemed to be really into the role.
I thought the pair’s early chase of the Warlock was a little uninteresting, but it did get better on the stretch to the end. The final method of thwarting the Warlock was pretty stupid, even for a film of this kind. Just not very imaginative, in my view. Several of my problems were with Twhoy’s screenplay, actually.
The film is what it is; and some will like it and some not. If you’re on the fence, try to find some footage of the hokey flying Warlock scenes. I think that more or less sums up much of the film’s tone. If you can take such things in stride and not hold it against the film, then you should be set for this. I can accept its cheesiness, but I don’t know that I’d watch it again anytime soon; which is reflected in my rating. I know it’s gained a cult following since its release, so I’m aware that my view is but one of many.
The film is presented in shitty full screen format for your viewing pleasures.
Directed by: Steve Miner
Starring: Julian Sands, Lori Singer, Richard E. Grant
Released by: Lionsgate
Special Features:
Trailer
Cast and Crew Information
FuckEm's Rating:
