Review of Exorcist: The Beginning (2004) by Josh C — 14 Jul 2013

Slow but intelligent follow-up, infinitely superior to the other sequels (Richard Burton aside). It was shot with surprising beauty and is impressively grand in its scale. Complaints of gore are unfounded - it has a 15 Certificate in the UK and is no bloodier than any horror fan would anticipate.

There are good performances and several clever scenes and lines. Its downfall is slightly dragging, being about twenty minutes too long and perhaps leaving the real scenes of possession until the end.

I agree that the Nazi storyline feels a bit of an afterthought but those scenes are well-presented. Not many films could compete with the shock-value and poignancy of the original but this is a superior entry in the saga and stands alone well.