The millennium is fast approaching, computers are going to crash and everybody is busy partying. Oh, and the devil, in the form of an ever charismatic Gabriel Byrne is in search of a bride. Christine (Robin Tunney) is the lucky lady who has been chosen from birth for this honour, and the only person standing in the way off this unholy union and hell on earth is washed up alcoholic ex cop Jericho Cane (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
Think the Omen meets Commando, or maybe the Omen meets Lethal Weapon, and you'll have a good idea what you are going to get here. A big budget, special effects laden, slice of the supernatural delivered in polished Hollywood style. There's explosions, gun fights, CGI by the tonne, and a nifty subway train battle that I thought looked really impressive. If Pazuzu had possessed a Terminator instead of little ole Reagan then this is what you might have ended up with.
The plot is pretty solid, effects are spectacular as you might expect, action scenes are well executed, and it all races along at a pretty frantic pace. There's always something going on. But, there is a fly in this other way balmy sounding ointment. It's Arnold. Whereas he does what he does best, the action, with his usual gun crazy, bullet proof flair, I can't help but dislike him as an actor. He delivers his lines clumsily, his range of emotions seem limited. It made him great as a Terminator, or as Conan, but here it detracts from the story. As a central character searching for redemption he just doesn't cut it.
Other than that niggle, which can be forgiven since this is a heavily action based movie (and it does the action well), it's a tad long at just over 2h, but solid action fare that looks good, is executed well, and thankfully has a more than half way decent plot. It's an enjoyable watch.
Don't go into this expecting a brilliant movie that sets new standards, or even expecting a movie that oozes frights or gore. If you want those things then you will be sure to be disappointed. But, if you want some action, a bit of terminator meets the devil type fun, a rollercoaster ride of explosions and gunfights all mingled with supernatural elements and themes of redemption then you could make a far worse investment of your time than this.
After all, when everything else is said and done, isn't a movie supposed to be fun? This may not deliver a lot else but it does deliver a solid helping of explosive, death defying fun in Hollywood blockbuster style. Thumbs up from me.