Overrated and overhyped

Am I Missing Something?

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Years after a traumatic event, a scarred priest joins an archaeological dig in Africa where the workers start experiencing strange traumas from a church buried in the sand and when it continues leads him to believe that evil has been unleashed and all of his faith is needed to fight it off.For the most part, there really wasn't a whole lot to like about this one. Among the few enjoyable aspects here is that the film does present evil in a very dignified manner, which is a stark contrast to the other types of films on the subject. It presents the manner in a manner that would actually be accustomed to, and it is relatable to most people. The devil manifesting itself in a human guise is an issue that must be dealt with on an individual basis, and the struggles provided are more realistic and human than in most of the other films. It's a great method of involving the viewer into the film that is greatly appreciated as this goes for such overt references to this situation and it's quite appealing. That is enhanced by the other outside forces keeping this one somewhat interesting as the forms of possession shown throughout here generate quite a strong first half which sets up the finale. That is the other good part about this as the film also has some great moments towards the end in the church from the attempted baptism and the eventual confrontation with the indigenous tribe which carries on into the final exorcism attempt at the end. Aside from these, though, there really wasn't a whole lot as there's a couple of things wrong. The biggest criticism is it's far too slow here as the story is intense, but nothing else is. This is a drama-centered story if there ever was one, and what makes it even worse is that it's a dull drama to begin with. Had this been made in the vein of being entertaining, then it could've worked but the overall presentation is boring and very slow to get going. This is an intense crime right there that severely and quite heavily knocks it down. Also not helping it is its storyline makes little sense. There is an attempt to explain everything, but it's buried behind so much incomprehensible psycho-babble that trying to get it out is almost impossible with the whole connection between the different forces. It had some rare moments of potential but quickly left that as if unable to think that it can carry it along and reverts back to the spiritual side of things that doesn't offer anything. and wasn't all that special to begin with. The other flaw is that the CGI in here is another disappointment, as it looks incredibly fake considering the rest of the film looks so good. It was told the creatures were supposed to be a threat, but there wasn't that much to them in order to be afraid of. These here are what hold this one down.Rated R: Graphic Violence, Language, children-in-danger and intense religious themes.

This is a truly risible movie. A cross somewhere between a Hammer Horror and a Carry On movie, Schrader has crafted a truly awful piece of cinema. My first thoughts after about three quarters of an hour were that it looked like a cheap made-for-TV movie, and the dreadful CGI effects merely compound this. The art direction is woeful, everything looks brand-spanking new, and the sets are so clichéd. Schrader's direction is clunky and uninspired, but worst of all is the acting from Skarsgard and Mann. Skarsgard chews the scenery for two hours whilst Mann seems to think he's in some Merchant Ivory epic.Two hours of my life wasted. This film should not be thought of as anything to do with Friedkin's masterpiece. It is a travesty that quite rightly the studio attempted to shelve. If people think this is better than Exorcist: The Beginning I'm just glad I haven't seen it.

Father Merrin assists a team of archaeologists who unearth a church. At first, Merrin resists the idea that supernatural forces are in play but an encounter with a demon inside a boy may change his mind.Dominion is the Prequel to the Exorcist (1973), the story is engaging, however like Harlin's Exorcist: The Beginning it's doesn't capture the tone of the Exorcist and feels more like a TV movie.The story of Dominion is very interesting, probably more so that the above mentioned Harlin's version but isn't as technically pleasing. It just can't getaway from that television look, the script is clunky, the sets are not dressed very well and the lighting is poor. The acting is more theatrical and the lack subtle cuts make it feel a far smaller film.Opening scene of the film is certainly very effective as Merrin faces the Nazi's. Nevertheless, it does have other faults especially the CGI effects. However, Ralph Brown as Sergeant Major is very good (and his screen time is sadly limited in Harlin's version).It works more as psychological horror but there are too many distractions to engross you, again like 'The Beginning' what makes this film interesting is the fact there are two films that utilise much of the same story, sets and actors. Watch only as an exercise.

I've wanted to see this since I found out Paul Schrader was directing, he's a fantastic director in his own right and one of the great screenwriters of all time. I was so disappointed when news started to filter out that there were issues, that the studio didn't think it was marketable, and then all of a sudden, the director sacked and the hack Harlin brought in. Being a huge Exorcist fan I saw the abomination that was "The Beginning", it was on a par with Sommers Van Helsing, in stupidity and unnecessary gore, the original Exorcist didn't rely on special effects, it was psychological it got under your skin, especially if you had any faith. I'm glad to say that Schraders version fits snuggly next to Friedkins original, it takes its time in the setup, it creeps under your skin with a swelling sense of dread that something is wrong with this place. The acting across the board is top notch, understated and believable. The effects let some of the scenes down but after reading that the director was only given $35,000 for post production, I'd say he did a bloody good job with what he was given. This film was never going to be a box office smash, times have changed, but it would have been successful, with it finding a DVD audience as well, if this could have been completed with proper post production and promotion of the film. It's respectful to the original film and its audience, not everything needs to be displayed on screen, the imagination is a far scarier place if manipulated correctly, the new breed of horror directors seem to forget this and paint by numbers.