Guardian Reviews

This fanciful hybrid combines supernatural horror and martial arts mayhem, producing a fast-paced excursion through demonology and recreational drug use. On the eve of the Gulf War, archaeologist Aaron Lichtmann (Todd McKee) disturbs a sarcophagus in Iraq. This desecration enables a Sumerian demon named Tel-Al to escape his confinement and in the confusion, Aaron is killed by a soldier. Simultaneously, a mysterious woman named Selene (Stacey Oversier) steals Aaron's newborn son, David, and becomes the infant's godly protector. Twelve years later, Tel-Al is primed for world domination. Kross (Mario Van Peebles), who was a soldier stationed near the site of the baby-napping, now works for the LAPD. Detective Kross begins investigating an influx of an illegal substance nicknamed Chaos (which lives up to its monicker, inducing users to commit homicide) and Selene, who's upholding the side of the angels, informs him that Chaos is Tel-Al's doing and, further, that it's just the tip of the demon's iceberg of godlessness. Tel-Al intends to destroy the adolescent David (Steve Zad), who's destined to become a prophet and the instrument of Tel-Al's downfall. Unfortunately, the devilish Tel-Al can inhabit different host bodies, and possesses both FBI agent Taylor (Daniel Hugh Kelly) and Kross's partner, Detective Carpenter (James Remar). With great difficulty, Kross accepts Selene's incredible version of events and hustles to rescue David. But Kross is unsure of his enemy and running out to people to trust — can he vanquish a being that's had thousands of years to master dirty tricks? Mixing elements of the popular MUMMY remake starring Brendan Fraser and THE EXORCIST, along with a healthy dose of mystical mumbo-jumbo and cop movie conventions, this adrenaline-charged adventure is surprisingly entertaining, despite the familiarity of the elements.