Review of The Prophecy (1995) by Tasos L — 13 Jul 2016

I remember quite liking this film back in the day, telling the story of a new war in Heaven. The archangel Gabriel, Christopher Walken, comes to Earth to collect a soul that will set off a new war in Heaven for control of Earth.

The main folks trying to stop him are a former priest, now police detective, Elias Koteas, and another angel, Simon, played by Eric Stolz. The film was written and directed by Gregory Widen, who is best know for writing the original Highlander film.

Both that film and this one are stronger on the story concept than the actual characters and script, but both films are solid none-the-less. Widen gives the film some cool visuals, particularly the angels eerily perched up high at times, looking down on people like menacing gargoyles.

The film also features performances by Virginia Madsen, Amanda Plummer, Adam Goldberg, Steve Hytner, and a before-he-was-famous Viggo Mortensen as Lucifer in a very memorable performance. Overall, this isn't a perfect film, particularly the clunky way the story unfolds, but it does contain some very interesting story concepts, which was enough for this film, much like Highlander, spawned seemingly endless sequels, most of them direct-to-video releases.