|
All-Reviews.com Movie/Video Review
Exorcist: The Beginning
|
  out of 4
|
 |
Starring: Stellan Skarsgard, Izabella Scorupco
Director: Paul Schrader
Rated: R
RunTime: 114 Minutes
Release Date: August 2004
Genre: Horror |
| *Also starring: | Gabriel Mann, Burt Caesar, Clara Bellar, Lorenzo Camporese, Ralph Brown, Ilario Bisi-Pedro, Israel Aduramo, Rick Warden, Julian Wadham, Griet van Damme |
|
Review by Steve Rhodes
1½ stars out of 4
|
"He's coming for you. He's coming for you," proclaims little Joseph (Remy
Sweeney), the designated innocent child in the EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING. As
you watch this snoozer of a horror picture, you'll be thinking he's coming
for you too. Your "he," however, won't be some devil figure but the
sandman, since this exceedingly lame production has few frights and not much
story either.
This prequel to the already oversequeled EXORCIST was originally going to be
helmed by John Frankenheimer, but he died during the preparatory work for
the film. After his demise, Paul Schrader took over and completely filmed
the movie, but in postproduction he was fired by the studio, reportedly for
committing the crime of not making the movie horrific enough. After that,
the studio hired Renny Harlin (CUTTHROAT ISLAND), an obvious choice if one
wants some cheesy gore. Although I haven't seen the Schrader version, it
would have to be more interesting than Harlin's DOA film. About the only
thing even mildly noteworthy about it and the only possible part of it to
give you any reason to try to stay awake is Vittorio Storaro's artistic
cinematography, which keeps compelling you to watch a story with no interest
other than its photographic panache.
Unlike THE EXORCIST, with its famous
hey-mom-look-how-I-can-do-a-360-with-my-head scene, there is not a memorable
moment in the EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING. A slumming Stellan Skarsgård, who
plays the film's lead, will probably be pleased that this movie is so
instantly forgettable.
EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING runs a long 1:54. It is rated R for "strong
violence and gore, disturbing images and rituals, and for language including
some sexual dialogue" and would be acceptable for teenagers.
Copyright © 2004 Steve Rhodes
| |
|
|
Buy movie posters!
|
