Noah Wyle in "The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice"
courtesy of TNT
“The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice” (TNT)

Noah Wyle returns as Flynn Carsen, the Librarian, in a new installment of this popular franchise. This time out his adventure is titled “The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice.” This is an original movie premiering on TNT and directed by Jonathan Frakes of “Star Trek fame. The movie is Executive Produced by Dean Devlin who helped create “Independence Day.”

As the movie opens Flynn is once more on the trail of a relic for the library. This opening sequence has a James Bond type air to it which gives Wyle a chance to be debonair as well as witty and wise. But because this assignment has caused the breakup of another romantic relationship Flynn has a melt down of sorts when it is over.

His supervisors at the library, Judson (Bob Newhart) and Charlene (Jane Curtin), suggest he take a vacation. In a dream he is beckoned to the city of New Orleans by a beautiful woman. So off he goes.

In New Orleans he goes to a club and listens to a woman sing a haunting song. The woman is named Simone (Stana Katic) and she is the one he saw in his dreams. She knows him upon sight and quickly involves him in a quest to find the Judas Chalice. This “chalice” has the power to raise the undead and the Russians are searching for it.

An elderly professor (Bruce Davison) has been kidnapped by the Russians and forced to do their bidding. He and Flynn are both trying to sort through a number of clues which will lead to the location of the chalice.

All of this is done at a rapid pace and the show is full of suspense, danger and romance. There is also a good bit of humor added in thanks to Wyle. He is just naturally funny and has an innocence and naiveté’ that endears him to the audience immediately. He is the main reason this series of movies is so popular and he doesn’t disappoint his fans in this one either.

Of course any movie that offers both Newhart and Curtin is a winner in my book. These two veterans are not in many scenes but they sparkle and shine in those in which they do appear. Throw in veteran actor Davison and you have a super solid supporting cast.

Katic is also very good as Flynn’s co-hunter. She has a few tricks up her sleeve in the movie and also has good chemistry with the leading man. She too can be sexy and funny, plus she can sing like an angel.

Audiences love “The Librarian” series of films and this one is as good as all the others. Wyle has kept his enthusiasm for the role and it shows. Here’s hoping he, Newhart and Curtin get to indulge us in many more adventures.

“The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice” premieres on TNT, Sunday, December 7 at 8PM.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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