Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 9, 1991                   TAG: 9102090414
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-2   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: By MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HORROR FANS HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THRILLERS WORSE THAN `WARLOCK'

Mixing a comic book plot with unpersuasive special effects, above average acting and a strong sense of humor, it's better than it has to be.

It begins in 1691 when a warlock (Julian Sands) escapes execution in Boston by conjuring up a time storm, or something; details aren't important here. He and the witchhunter Redferne (Richard E. Grant) are whisked forward 300 years to Los Angeles. They both wind up in the living room of Kassandra (Lori Singer), a plucky airhead. Before long, they're all hunting for the three parts of the Grand Grimoire, a book that will bring about the "uncreation" of the universe.

It's obvious early on that producer/director Steve Miner is trying to combine "The Exorcist" and "The Terminator." "Warlock" isn't about to be as influential as either of them, but it does provide a few cheap thrills. Though the effects are gruesome at times, they're handled with a sense of playfulness. No one involved with the production was taking it completely seriously. The laughs are intentional, the pace is quick and the plot avoids cliches.

Horror fans have seen worse. `Warlock': 1/2 A Trimark release playing at the Salem Valley 8 (389-0444). Rated R for violence and graphic effects. 100 min.