The Prophecy II (1998)

Director: Greg Spence

Cast: Christopher Walken, Russell Wong, Jennifer Beals

Synopsis: Gabriel returns to try to destroy the human race he despises so much, with the help of a suicidal teen and the opposition of the angel Daniel.

The Prophecy II, like its predecessor is heavy on style, but light on substance. Borrowing elements of Wings of Desire and The Terminator, but expanding on neither, this movie muddles the simplest of plots by failing to (re)introduce characters or explain what they are about. I can’t help thinking a two-minute recap at the outset may have made The Prophecy II a lot more enjoyable.

Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter, Pulp Fiction) is an inspired choice for the role of Gabriel, and is, by far, the best thing about this movie, although it is something of a surprise to find him working with such flimsy material. His performance is filled with the usual eccentric speech patterns, and quirky facial gestures, which are often far more fascinating than the lifeless dialogue he has to work with.

Although the movie is well made, it skimps on some effects (Danyeal’s transformation into an angel to convince Valerie he is speaking the truth, for example), and its plot is too similar to The Terminator for comfort. The concept of Eden being a bleak industrial landscape because ‘that is what we have made of it’ is unconvincing, and, while it is in keeping with the dark tone of the film, does not really fit in with the storyline.
(Reviewed 10th May 2002)