My Review of Warlock III: The End Of Innocence (1999)

 

Written by Bruce David Eisen And Eric Freiser

Directed by Eric Freiser

Warlock: "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it."

In our third entry for this franchise, we've got another Warlock in the shape of Philip Covington (Bruce Payne) and in flashbacks, he showed his nastiness by targeting a mother and daughter. Not surprising was the fact that they posed a threat to him and they trapped him in a house.

Cut to the current day where it's set in an Irish town of generic description with an American group of characters, the main protagonist was a woman named Kris (Ashley Laurence). She's inherited the creepy house and with that, she's become a new problem/potential sacrifice for a still power hungry Covington. 

With Kris include her boyfriend, Michael (Paul Francis), kinky couple Scott (Rick Hearst) and Lisa (Angel Brois), stoner Jerry (Jan Schweiterman) and Robin (Boti Bliss). It turned out that the latter also happened to be a witch. Unfortunately for Robin, that didn't do any good as she was nowhere near as powerful as a determined Covington.

Throughout the movie, this Warlock pretty killed all of Kris's friends and lover, one by one. He subjected them to various levels of suffering as he made his way towards sacrificing Kris. It turned out that he wanted to mother a race of evil with an evil consort and Kris was needed for that one.

The movie does fill in the obvious connection between this Warlock and Kris and it's a decent enough reveal. I found Kris's circle of friends to be somewhat blandly drawn out with Robin being horribly wasted. Kris herself was a bit of a miss following previous protagonists in this franchise but this new Warlock was menacing enough.

- I do think by bringing in a new actor, it probably was a good idea for the Warlock to be a different character too.

- In folklore, children who are born with the caul over their faces are a sign of good luck or magical ability.

- Standout music: Chris Frankfort's Judgement Call.

- Chronology: It's Ireland in the 1990s as well as an unspecified time period for the opening scene.

Warlock III: The End Of Innocence was an okay entry in a franchise that's mostly been okay so far. I did like the change of location and a new Warlock but found most of the main players to be bland. 

Rating: 5 out of 10 

My Review of Warlock: The Armageddon (1993)

 

Written by Kevin Rock

Directed by Anthony Hickox

Warlock: "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the scaredest one of all?"

Following the events of the first movie, you'd think the titular Warlock (Julian Sands) would've been done with but alas, not quite. Whatever pact that guy made with Satan, he's certainly making sure he can be on the mortal plane for as long as he can.

Of course with the Warlock being the only returning factor from the first movie, we needed a new environment and newer protagonists for him to go up against. In the distant past, there were Druids who stopped a Satanic ritual with six rune stones. 

In the present day, it's those stones that play a part in the Warlock's latest plan along with our heroes of the piece. Yes, you've got a teenage couple named Kenny Travis (Chris Young) and Samantha Ellison (Paula Marshall) as a new source of contention for the Warlock. One of them far more than the other if we're being honest here.

Anyways Kenny and Samantha are madly in love and desperate to leave their small minded town behind them. They're also descendants of the Druids that previously ruined the Warlock's plan and it's not until halfway through the movie that their respective fathers Will (Steve Kahan) and Ted (Bruce Glover) try to prepare their kids for their destiny.

Speaking of destiny, the Warlock does seem more cruel in this second outing as well with the gleeful way he turned one guy into a hideous art piece and scalped a woman in a car he acquired. He doesn't hold back in causing as much destruction as he can when crossing paths with both Kenny and Samantha.

The last act then was a battle of wits between the Warlock and the teenage couple. For a moment it did seem like the former was about to win before getting sent straight back to hell instead. As for Kenny and Samantha, they're a decent pairing throughout the movie. 

- Zach Galligan popped up as Douglas during the film. Theres also a brutal death at a fashion show for the unfortunate Paula Dare (Joanna Pacula).

- Originally Frank LaLoggia was slated to direct this sequel but his vision was too expensive. 

- That scene involving a poor dog being eaten was by far the grossest thing in this one.

- Chronology: Druid times for the opening flashback before we got a 1993 setting for the rest of the movie.

Warlock: The Armageddon made for an okay sequel. There's some decent moments overall and the new leads are fine. I didn't find it bad but I also didn't find it compelling either. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 

My Review of Warlock (1989)

 

Written by David Twohy

Directed by Steve Miner 

Giles: "So, you fear me."

Warlock: "'Tis I who others fear."

Giles: "Not you, the magic."

The other day I watched House and last night, I thought I'd try another horror movie from Steve Miner. I went with this one, trading in haunted homes for some sorcery and it was a good choice. There was fun to be had here.

We started in 1691 Massachusetts where a witch hunter named Giles Reference (Richard E. Grant) had the titular Warlock (Julian Sands) on trial for a multitude of crimes and was about to have the Warlock executed. However the Warlock had Satan in his corner and ended up being saved at the very last minute.

Now, being saved for the Warlock meant a change of scenery. He was brought to 1989 Los Angeles and quickly took shelter with waitress Kassandra (Lori Singer) and the latter's gay roommate, Chas (Kevin O'Brien). Yay for an out gay character. Boo, that he's also the first onscreen victim of the Warlock and all because Chas had a magic ring on him.

As for Kassandra, not only did she have to deal with the death of her rooommate but she quickly got caught into both Giles and the Warlock's enmity with one another. She also had to retrieve her bracelet back in order to avoid ageing to death for a good portion of the movie.

As for the Warlock, Julian Sands does tether between being genuinely menacing (he killed an unbaptised boy for flying ointment) but he's also rather theatrical with his interactions between Giles and Kassandra. As for his defeat, it's a use of something that Kassandra needed to live but sealed the Warlock's fate.

Of course going back to Giles and Kassandra, they do make for great team with both Richard E. Grant and Lori Singer playing off each other well. It's amusing to see Giles cope with the late 20th century while also letting his guard down with Kassandra and getting justice for his late wife. They're good foils to the Warlock.

- The original idea for the movie was the Warlock going to the 20th century to avoid religious persecution, only to experience it there too. That's an idea a future remake should do.

- Witches often used the fat of children to make a flying ointment. At least this happened off screen.

- The Warlock kissed Chas in order to kill him but also showed mercy to a pastor and his wife. 

- Chronology: 1691 Massachusetts and 1989 Los Angeles.

Warlock certainly was an enjoyable movie. Some good performances from the three leads, gruesome kills (on and off screen) and a nice battle of wits between everyone here. Now on to the sequels. 

Rating: 7 out of 10