2004 Directed by Renny Harlin
Starring Stellan Skarsgård Izabella Scorupco James D'Arcy Average Rating:
Plot Summary
In the aftermath of World War II, former priest, Lankester Merrin finds himself in the remote Turkana region of Kenya. Haunted by memories of the war, he has come to lead the archaeological excavation of a mysterious, Byzantine church, buried in pristine condition as if on the day it was completed. Directly underneath the church, Merrin discovers a much more ancient crypt -- and finds himself face-to-face with unspeakable Evil. British troops are sent in to "protect" the dig, and Merrin watches helplessly as the atrocities of war are repeated against another innocent village -- atrocities he'd hoped to never see again.
Ryan's Review
Having never seen any of the Exorcist films, it's not really fair for me to judge this one, but I will anyway. I didn't really have too much interest in it, and after watching the trailers, the film looked meh at best. Thus, I went in with little expectation (that seems to be a common theme), and I was correct. The film is meh at best. The acting is decent, the special effects are deplorable, and the movie seems to care less about scaring you than grossing you out. Apparently there were 2 versions of the film made, and the first one was rejected because it wasn't gory enough. For shame, I'd like to see that version. Hopefully it will be released on DVD at some point, though that is doubtful. There is a pseudo-twist ending that I didn't catch onto, but there weren't too many clues that led up to it.
This movie had the potential to be a lot more than it was. All the stuff in the trailer about "The spot where Lucifer Fell" and the weapons in the church pointing downwards simply go nowhere. Very disappointing.
Final Verdict: In the end Exorcist: The Beginning just isn't that good. I'm glad I wasn't expecting anything from it, anyway. I give this film 2 WeedWackers -Ryan Mac
2004
