A-Z Horror Movie of the Day..."The Prophecy" (R - 1995 - US)Sub-Genre: Monster/Biblical My Score: 6.9Cast=10 Acting=7 Plot=6 Ending=8 Story=7 Scare=4 Jump=4 F/X=8 Monster=7 Bible=8The angel Gabriel comes to Earth to collect a soul which will end the stalemated war in Heaven, and only a former priest and a little girl can stop him." Little Tommy Daggett...how I loved listening to your sweet prayers every night. And then you'd jump in your bed, so afraid I was under there...And I was!" The cast takes the tack for me...Christopher Walken on down...what a great plan!! For me, I liked this a lot more than the score may reflect, But it is absolutely worth a watch. It's not one that will scare you out of your chair...just maybe the edge of your seat.

I remember watching The Prophecy in the theatre 20+ years ago. I think the IMDB overall average of 6 out of 10 is fairly accurate for most people, though I rated this an 8 because it brings back fond memories of the mid-1990's. I still have trouble seeing Christopher Walken as an Arch-Angel, but this film would also not be watchable if he was not in it.

The Prophecy is the epitome of the dimension films 90's craze of wicked horror fantasy crossovers. The pure spooky atmosphere and delicious lead performance on display here is enough to forgive the film it's setbacks, of which it has a few. It doesn't fully explain or flesh out its mythology, and gets a bit hazy. But it compensates with a vividly drawn tale of the heavens and the underworld at war on earth, in an ambient style punctuated by eccentric character beats and an overall tone of a well spun campfire tale. Christopher Walken is scary intense as the Angel Gabriel, tossed out of heaven and deposited on earth like a castaway, forced to dwell among us monkeys and meat suits. He has a vague plan (like I said, the writing could have harnessed the plot together a bit more) to find the most evil soul in human history, implant it in the body of a specific child, and incite another unholy war between angels and demons to rock the universe to its foundations. A big city cop (Elias Koteas) catches wind of the otherworldy plot and pursues. He's led to a backwater New Mexico town that Gabriel has turned his attention too. It's a muddy, convoluted yarn, but don't get me wrong, I freakin love it. Walken seems to Emory the weirdness and wild, 'scream at the stars' anger of the jaded cherub perfectly, giving him a heart of evil obsidian glass and a mind to carry out his plan no matter how many races he has to decimate to do so. Virginia Madsen fills the female lead nicely, and there's supporting work from Amanda Plummer, Glenn Danzyg, Eric Stoltz, and a brief but wickedly memorable turn from Viggo Mortensen, playing Lucifer. He owns his cameo with repulsive, terrifying gusto. It's not a perfect film, but in the long run of similar outings (Legion, Constantine etc.) it's one of the best. The alluring air of mystery and fantastical elements always get me. As for the sequels, the first two are cool because they still have Walken... but avoid the last two, they're awful.

The angel Gabriel comes to earth wanting to take a soul to end the ongoing war in heaven, however when confronting the person he wants he finds out that he has transferred the soul into a little girl, with this information he goes and looks for her, however a Police Officer and a teacher are protecting her and refuse to let Gabriel take her.This film starred: Christopher Walken, Elias Koteas & Virginia MadsenThe Prophecy was released in 1995 and is an OK film, I was expecting more however it is a film I hate and I could watch it again, I have the 3 films, and I am yet to see 2 & 3, however I don't have two 2005 spin off films because they are a waste of time and money. Recommended because although I was let down this is still an interesting film.***/***** Could be worse.