The Prophecy (1995)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

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 enjoyed this. While it is about Heaven, Hell, angels and souls, this really doesn't push the viewer to choose a theological position about the subject. However, I am a Christian, therefore I am going to give my opinion from that standing.I loved the idea that angels could be jealous of how much God loves us. The idea that this jealousy could cause friction between the souls of mankind and angels really does have the potential to be scary. We know God loves us and that the angels are the Lord's servants but Lucifer became so jealous of God that he, God's most beloved angel, ended up being cast out of Heaven. We know that angels have the ability to harbor that sort of emotion so, what if those feeling were directed towards us. It really is a great concept. This is a movie that I would suggest to a friend. If you don't have a position about faith, don't let that stop you from checking this out. You can simply watch it for what it is and still find that it is a good movie.

There is a war going on in heaven between the angels. One group is led by the arch angel Gabriel (Walken), who is jealous of humans because God favors them. The other angels want God's will to be done and the battle is being fought on earth. Thomas Dagget (Koteas) is a cop who wanted to be a priest and gets caught up in the battle. An incredibly evil soul that could tip the battle in Gabriel's advantage is stolen by angel Simon (Stoltz) and hid in the body of a young girl (Moriah 'Shining Dove' Snyder). Gabriel is fast on its trail as Dagget and the girls' school teacher (Madsen) do their best to protect her. This very original horror film from Writer / Director Gregory Widen is a serious tale that is quite a fun ride to take. Widen fills his story with adult characters and real stakes are at cost. The film has a great look and a subtle sense of humor that helps. Walken as the fast talking Gabriel is perfect and is quite humorous at times but can be truly scary and menacing in the next minute. Eric Stoltz as Simon the good angel is solid and Elias Koteas as Thomas is the backbone of the movie. The always under rated Virginia Madsen brings her usual spunk to the role of the protective school teacher, and Viggo Mortensen as Lucifer himself is memorable in a small but spicy role. Widen keeps the movie interesting and at a good pace so the audience is engaged with the characters and a few chills are delivered along the way. The film is light on traditional in your face scares and gore but the great cast and fun story keeps you watching and the movie scores well in the entertaining department. I still like the original title of this film which was "God's Army".

Supporting actors Christopher Walken, Viggo Mortensen and Eric Stoltz pretty much are the only reasons for this movie not to fall utter garbage category. Lead actors Elias Koteas and Virginia Madsen are extremely wooden card board cuts with no emotion, no charisma, no nothing. Where did they find these nobodies makes me wonder? Koteas has the same dumb face for the whole movie no matter whether he finds a box full of human faces or tries to pray for God in a desperate and sentimental act. Madsen has a same monotonous repertoire for emotions and expression. Lady schoolteacher finds a burned dead human body from their schools attic and what is her reaction? Nothing. Just like she would have found a dead rat. Or maybe burned "homeless people" are so common in the states and have no human value that you can just shrug your shoulders and continue with your daily chores. That was just a one example. Sure, you can also blame the script but for some reason, I don't think Walken had any better script and he managed to improvise the hell out of his role.While the story was interesting, it was pretty weak and there wasn't much more into this except brilliant performances from supporting actors. What a waste of a good fantasy/thriller movie. 6/10