Got a couple ideas of some series reviews I can start drinking to…I mean, working on. As I just rewatched the first film in this particular franchise, we’ll start with that. The other, well, you’ll just have to wait. The new series review this week begins with 1989’s Warlock.
WARNING: My editor has discovered a new rum and will be experimenting with the entire line of Hudsonville ice cream flavors to make adult milkshakes for the foreseeable future. Spoilers will ensue.
Warlock is about Redfern, a man on a mission to capture the most heinous warlock that ever lived. Unfortunately, this warlock is even wilier than imagined because even after he’s locked in these thumb-toe-shackle-combo whatsamajigits… just look at the image below…
…he gets a little assist from Satan himself to escape his persecutors, and imminent execution, and ride a tornado into the future – 1989 to be exact.
Here we meet Kassandra, with a K. The warlock crash lands in the front room of her friend Chas’ house, where she rents a room. She’s a rather cold and cynical young woman and thinks they should dump him outside. Too bad Chas didn’t listen to her.
The warlock proceeds to wreak havoc left and right. He’ll do whatever he has to do to fulfill Satan’s command – to find His bible, The Grand Grimoire, that was split up into three parts centuries ago. This bible is totes important because it contains the TRUE NAME OF GOD™. And if you speak it backwards, it will undo all of creation.
If that wasn’t incentive enough, if the warlock can find all the parts, he will become the one begotten son of the Devil. Which I guess is the most bitchinest of all rewards for a witch, amirite?
No. No, you are most FUCKING NOT right.
But don’t fret, gentle reader. Redfern hitched a ride on that time traveling tornado, too. So he and Kassandra team up to prevent the warlock from just ruining everything for everyone. And maybe find a little love along the way.
Oh, stop it. I hear you skeptics out there dry heaving. Hey, if two heterosexual adults have to stop the devil and save the world, it’s not unheard of that they might bond and end up caring about each other. Fuck off.
Anyway…
It’s no secret that I adore this movie. My husband and I even incorporated a part of Redfern’s epitaph into our wedding vows. And while the whole idea of witches being evil and worshiping Satan is a tired trope, and false narrative, the conflict between good and evil is timeless.
Richard E. Grant plays Redfern and I’ve never seen him play a part like this since this movie. A long-haired, fur wearing hunter that also harbors a deep pain. Lori Singer as Kassandra is sassy and smart, pretty resourceful, and finds depths of courage I bet most of us will never need to discover. Mary Woronov as the Channeler only has a short scene, but she – and her eyes – steal every moment of it. IYKYK.
And we can’t forget the luscious Julian Sands (RIP) as the Warlock. Now, I know he’s the bad guy. I understand that he’s ruined a lot of lives back in the 18th century and in the 20th, and has no qualms about killing anyone, including a kid, to get what he wants. But…but…
Director Steve Miner worked on many good films, including my favorite F13 movie (part 2, bee tee dubs), House, Forever Young, Lake Placid and so much more. I’d say the man knows what he’s doing and it certainly shows in this movie. He kept the pacing steady, allowed the actors’ abilities to shine, and showed us his vision of a tense, heroic, and emotional story
Writer David Twohy has written stories or screenplays for many flicks I’ve loved (Pitch Black, Arrival, The Fugitive, Critters) and more. He created interesting, well-developed characters for Warlock. And though it’s horror fiction, the story and the characters are believable and well worth the emotional investment of the viewer.
There’s not a lot of special f/x throughout the film. Mostly optical effects are utilized for the “magic” that the warlock performs. The tornado isn’t too bad, nor are the flying scenes, and the makeup used for Kassandra’s aging curse is good for the first bit. But once she hits 60, it starts to look a little…cheap Halloween store prosthetics. It doesn’t bother me but I could see it taking some folks out of the illusion.
But other than those little qualms, and the insistence of writers to continue digging their claws into the misinformation about witchcraft like their lives depend on it, this is one of my favorite movies from the late eighties. Highly recommend!
4.75 margaritas out of 5
Warlock (1989) - Drunken Monkey Review - Malevolentdark
Director: Steve Miner
Date Created: 1970-01-01 00:33
4.5
One Response
Great review! Nice that there were no spoilers so I can point people to it that need to see this film!
Do you have any idea if this one was direct to video or if it actually screened?