End Of Days Details

This millennium's-end action movie is a calculated but fairly enjoyable attempt to give Arnold Schwarzenegger a less indestructible, more human side, and cash in on the revitalised horror genre. While Arnie's amateurish emoting never rings true in the role of a run-down, suicidal, alcoholic ex-cop, the “Devil searching for his bride” story provides some decent popcorn entertainment. Gabriel Byrne, meanwhile, rises above the clumsily structured and wholly derivative script to give an attention-grabbing performance as a very laid-back Prince of Darkness. (The scene in which he seductively bribes Arnold with the chance of a new start is a cracker.) It should have been sharper and scarier, but the final half-hour excitingly delivers the demonic goods.

As pumped-up as its hero, this is a riotous, over-the-top mish-mash of religiosity and shock effects, like The Omen on steroids.