Python Hyena The Exorcist: The Beginning (2004): Dir: Renny Harlin / Cast: Stellan Skarsgard, Isabella Scorupco, James D'Arcy, Alan Ford, Julian Wadham: Prequel to the 1973 masterpiece taking us back where the confrontation began. Stellan Skarsgard plays Father Merrin who is summoned to an African Archaeological site where a Church is unearthed. This Church has a mysterious past where thousands lay dead and an unspeakable evil possesses a boy named Joseph. Surprisingly well written and suspenseful but a scene where a pack of hyenas attack and mangle a boy will likely turn off certain viewers. The Biblical arguments regarding Satan aren't exactly scripture based either. A big improvement for director Renny Harlin who made the dreadful Deep Blue Sea as well the the expensive flop Cutthroat Island. Excellent performance by Skarsgard as Merrin who is haunted by a past incident. Isabella Scorupco plays a nurse with a mysterious past and an unspeakable fate. James D'Arcy plays a young Priest overseeing the discoveries, and witnessing first hand the outreaches of evil. Alan Ford steals scenes as a contact with a facial disease but that is the least of his problems. As prequels go, this one at least lives up to its hype. It is visually well crafted and attempts to apply intelligence where many of the sequels faltered. Not as broad or striking as the original but a haunting back story nonetheless. Score: 9 / 10

earsie1977 In the same way that Columbus discovered "America"--a giant place that was there for millions of years; Marrin discovered churches in east Africa. The problem is that Christianity factually entered that area during the 3-4th centuries. The first church in that region--Debre Damo--was built in the late 500's A.C.E. It is worth noting that Christianity actually started in the east and then spread to Rome.. not the other way around. Aside from that, as an atheist, I don't take much of the movie seriously. I do like the horror genre so I try my best to appreciate a good story line either way.I was drawn to the side-story that "bad things" were happening during the filming of this movie back in 2003. I am not certain as to whether they were trying to use the same "supernatural appeal" that Blair Witch had a few years earlier.

SnoopyStyle In 1949, the British army has stumbled onto a buried Byzantium church in Kenya. The church's date is too early and shouldn't exist. Merrin (Stellan Skarsgård) is a former priest who suffered a traumatic war experience. He's called in to help with the archaeological dig. Father Francis (James D'Arcy) is sent in by the Vatican, and Sarah (Izabella Scorupco) is also trying to escape the horrors of WWII.This is simply not a scary movie. That's the biggest and really the only measuring stick for a horror movie. At almost 2 hours, it's way too long. The pace is way too slow. The look of the production seems smaller than what the budget would indicate.The feel of the movie hearkens back to the 70s, and not in good way. Horror movies have moved on, but this one still believes that flies are scary. The CGI is not the best. The blood and guts are acceptable. The baby with maggots looks creepy. But other times, the movie holds back too much. The coyote attack should have been scary, but it's never given a chance. It's just not good enough for today's audience.

scottmannen1 For those who don't know- some call it the movies curse- this movie was actually made twice! First came Exorcist the Beginning a movie that was directed in the same mood as the Exorcist orgininal. When the movie was finished it was submitted to the studio for approval; however the studio did not like the movie! Instead they made the poor decision to have the movie re-filmed by another director.The movie was re-filmed and the result called Dominion was a complete and utter flop at the box office. Because of the flop, the studio decided to allow the first director to release The Beginning.On to the Movie- This movie was excellent in my opinion. Its not a fantastic Oscar worthy movie; however, where it stands strong is the fact that it incorporates much of the same lore, history and suspense that we saw in Exorcist. The original director should be praised for his efforts, and the second version director should be ashamed.You will enjoy this movie if you enjoy thought proking, suspenseful horror that utilizes much lore. Enjoy!