Prince of Darkness is kind of silly; it's got some Carpenter stock actors and his usual directorial flair, but the script, essentially his version of Quatermass and the Pit (1967), doesn't hold up under scrutiny. The characters have no background; they're students, called in to assess the ultimate evil, not exactly believable. It's plodding, has poor humour and a number of inconsistencies.
So why watch it? It's held together by an accomplished film technique, by actors Donald Pleasence and Victor Wong, and a great musical score. If that's enough to sustain your interest, you'll maybe like it, too.
3 green cocktails out of 5
