Powerful

Just what I expected

best movie i've ever seen.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Sandwiched in between their slasher "The Dorm That Dripped Blood" (a.k.a. "Pranks") and their monster movie "The Kindred" is the supernatural shocker "The Power" by the filmmaking team of Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Carpenter. The acting by the no-name cast is sincere and not as incompetent as would usually be the case for such a low budget genre piece. Obrow and Carpenter don't go about making sure that their little movie makes a whole lot of sense but do give it a respectable level of atmosphere and some decent horror scenes. Of course, the viewer does have to sit through less interesting parts to get to the good stuff.The tale involves a miniature Aztec idol made to honour a god named Destacatyl. This idol often brings death and destruction to those in its vicinity, and makes its way into the possession of some high school students with an interest in the occult. A young man named Jerry (played by the big-haired Warren Lincoln) is *really* intrigued by their story and becomes determined to get his hands on this idol, which leaves him vulnerable to getting possessed by this Destacatyl. This leads to nightmares for Jerry's ex-girlfriend Sandy (Susan Stokey), a journalist, and various otherworldly occurrences.Noteworthy components include the moody lighting by Carpenter, the excellent music by Christopher Young, enjoyable visuals (arms shooting out of a mattress), and pretty good makeup effects by Matthew W. Mungle. Standing out (relatively speaking) among the cast is the attractive and appealing Lisa Erickson as Julie. Overall, the movie is watchable if nothing special, but the last second twist ending comes off as just too predictable.If you're a genre completist who would like to see just about everything from the 1980s, then by all means give "The Power" a try; just don't expect too much.Six out of 10.

Through a confusing series of events, a trio of high school teens end up with a figurine of Destacatyl, an Aztec god of something bad. They turn it over to tabloid reporter Sandy (Susan Stokey). Soon her friend Jerry (Warren Lincoln) is seduced by its power, turning into a misshapen monster of rage that, naturally, is angry she won't go out with him. This was the second feature from directors Stephen Carpenter and Jeffrey Obrow, after the slasher THE DORM THAT DRIPPED BLOOD (1982). Props to them for not delivering another slasher, but this is pretty so-so stuff. The set up is unfocused (four writers are credited) and you don't really get too emotionally involved in the characters. There are some nice FX by Matthew Mungle, also a DORM alumni, towards the end though. And Christopher Young contributes a score that is way too classy sounding for the material. After this they would go on to co-direct THE KINDRED (1987) and the Koontz adaptation SERVANTS OF TWILIGHT (1991) before breaking up as a team.

The 80s low-cost independent horror "The Power" is an atmospherically inventive and dark with its fascinating concept involving an ancient Aztec idol that's harbouring a powerful force which infatuates those in possession of it, bringing out their dark side. It's starts off really steady and talkative but still remaining effectively compelling within its moody and fearful superstitious framework, but then it goes off the rocker becoming a ghastly, if typical little shocker with some very well executed, icky make-up FX for such a cheap budget. The deaths are few, but they bestow imagination and atmosphere --- however it's the underlining surreal creepiness that's held throughout, which makes up for it.Dual director's Steven Carpenter and Jeffrey Obrow's (who brought us the hokey slasher "The Dorm that Dripped blood" and monster carnage of "The Kindred") minimalist set-up is tidy, even with its gritty look but they do a decent enough job with their touches of brooding suspense and jarring visuals. Limited resources and amateurish acting (although Lisa Erickson was fair) don't distract too heavily as the creative and unusual story is well thought out in its context of forbidden power and the temptation of it that simply attracts evil. There's just a sense of doom that just won't waver, but while it might be a mystery to the characters it's not so for the viewer. Sometimes slightly muddled and random, as there much to gather but it comes together in an ending that's nothing more than a final cheap, but lasting shock. The eerie score accompanying only adds more to the mystical edge, demonstrating an intense, ripple-like grip. Susan Stokey's clueless character is somewhat grating in her self-absorbed attitude and Warren Lincoln gives the film much needed energy as his erratically idealistic character investigating the idol, to only fall under its corrupt spell.It would actually make a good, interesting double viewing with "The Returning (1983)". Trivia note; One thing I found somewhat unnerving is a scene in the film, which I don't know if it was purposely staged or not. In the sequence we catch a reflection (less than a second) in a mirror of a bearded man dressed in black just standing there watching Stokey. I never saw this character before, nor does he even reappear in the film. Nothing is mentioned. If it was one of the crew accidentally getting in the shot, it was a strange place to be standing and boy did he look scary. Just look at the face!

If you remember liking the "Friday the 13th" TV series, with its basic concept of inanimate objects possessing the souls of their unsuspecting owners and eventually causing death and destruction, then this movie - about a creepy small Aztec idol - may be enjoyable for you. The special effects are not bad, considering the budgetary constraints, and there is also a pretty good shock ending. The problem is that you get to see the idol's power in the first few minutes, so you have to wait for the characters to find out (and argue about) what you already know. And some of the acting is pretty amateurish, too. (**)