Search - The First Power on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Graphic Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity Movie Release: 1989 DVD Release: 08/28/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 3 Genres: Horror, Crime Thriller, Supernatural Horror

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, All Movie Guide

Lou Diamond Phillips - Det. Russell Logan
Tracy Griffith - Tess Seaton
Jeff Kober - Patrick Channing
Mykelti Williamson - Detective Oliver Franklin
Elizabeth Arlen - Sister Marguerite

Robert Resnikoff's thriller The First Power comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1.The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. Spanish and French subtitles are accessible. And the soundtrack is closed-captioned. Supplemental materials include the original theatrical trailer. This is a fine release from MGM/UA. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide