Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mixed, 2 May 2006
Obviously with a collection of this nature, the quality of each individual film varies wildly. Presentation-wise, the box and DVD menus are all fantastic. The first film is an undeniable classic, the second an unintentional comedy, the third a good slasher (of sorts) film, and the two prequels interesting as an experiment in how much an individual director can bring to a movie; Dominion is simply stunning, and the Beginning is entertaining enough. In all, a worthy purchase for any horror fan.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cheap at twice the price, 29 Nov 2006
If you enjoyed "The Exorcist", or you just thoughy you might enjoy it, or even if you are merely curious, I strongly recommend this set of five films, especially at this giveaway price.
The first two films - "Dominion The Prequel" and "Exorcist The Beginning" - which actually date from 2005 and 2004 respectively, both stem from the same basic idea, use most of the same sets, and feature many of the same actors (in the same roles). Yet despite the basic similarities the two storylines are significantly different so that seeing one doesn't spoil your enjoyment of the other. And yes, they are definitely BOTH worth watching. Indeed, I still can't make up my mind which I enjoyed most.
"The Exorcist" - the original film, complete with director's commentary, etc. - now gets shifted to number three, in logical order of viewing, though it was originally released in 1973.
What is remarkable is that this is possibly the least gripping of the first four films - unless you've never seen it before. That is because, IMO, it relies incredibly heavily on outrageous special effects for most of its impact. In 1973 this was cutting edge stuff and truly mind boggling, but special effects have developed so much in the last 30 years that most viewers will have seen far more convincing/stomach churning sights than are included here.
"Exorcist II The Heretic" (1977) rests almost entirely on the shoulders of Richard Burton, playing the role of Father Merrin's successor in the fight against the demon Pazuzu. This is a complete break from most of the film roles Burton played, but apart from the rather overplayed expression of a man on the edge of a total breakdown, IMO Burton does a pretty good job. And it certainly doesn't hurt that other parts include Louise "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" Fletcher as a psychiatrist (just begging to be convinced that evil is more than just nasty thoughts; Max Von Sydow (now playing Father Merrin as a young man!); and of course Linda Blair both reprising her original role as "Regan the possessed" AND as the allegedly exorcised Regan a year or two after the original events.
Indeed, it could be that this is actually the best of the four films for anyone wanting something more than a simple gore fest.
And then there's "The Exorcist III" - if you really must.
An interview with director William Friedkin and author William Peter Blatty amongst the numerous extras on the two-side "The Exorcist" disk make it clear that Blatty's ideas on what should have gone into the film differed quite significantly from Friedkins, and when you see what a bodge job "The Exorcist III" is - being both written and directed by Blatty, based on his follow-up book "Legion" - you'll realise how fortunate it was that Friedkin had ultimate control of the earlier film.
Anyone who has seen Blatty's film "Twinkle, Twinkle, Killer Kane" (also based on one of his books) will have some idea of how rambling and unsatisfactory his handling of this medium is. And "The Exorcist III" is definitely on a par with "Killer Kane".
Having said that, the one highlight of the film is Brad Dourif.
Usually relegated to weasely scumbag roles such as "Grimer Wormtongue" in "Lord of the Rings II". This time round, in the title role, he is allowed to show something like the full range of his acting skills. And a jolly good job he makes of it.
So, four goodies and one also ran.
In my opinion it's still an excellent package overall and at a knock down price. You could say it's an offer you can't refuse ;-)
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8 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
The original is a classic, the rest should be forgotten, 6 Sep 2006
Schrader's prequel (1 star):
It feels like a competently staged school play without any meaning or weight behind anything anyone says or does. It's so undramatic it seems like everyone just gave up before it even started.
I'm amazed this got made. The script is uninspired and free of any interesting incident (the opening WW2 sequence is a good idea, but filmed so blandly it doesn't have the impact it should have had). It rambles slowly on for nearly two hours and has a boring weak climax. By the last half hour I put the subtitles on and hit fast forward just to get the thing over with.
I'm honestly not that surprised that they dumped this movie. Remaking it makes some sense, as I doubt even extensive reshoots (with or without Schrader directing) would have helped make the movie any better. The flaws are too ingrained at every level.
One large problem might be that the evil threat is so vague and ambiguous that it's almost impossible to dramatise without the possessed person being known to all the characters (like it is in the original 1973 movie). I've found all the sequels and prequels to suffer from having such an indirect, difficult to define threat.
Harlin's prequel (1 star):
It's much pacier than Schrader's so it starts better than his. Unfortunately it uses too many random horror tricks like having the camera sneak up behind people; having people look away from someone, then looking back to find that they've disappeared; sudden noises as the camera moves round a corner etc.
These type of tricks are used for no proper story reason - instead it just reveals how desperate the film makers are to make people scared.
The endless exposition renders this version strangely undramatic. Though at least this one has a pulse unlike Schrader's.
I realised that life was too short to watch this tepid, MTV version of The Exorcist, so I gave up after 40 minutes (the bit where the Brit is attacked by an out of control camera as he tries to steal some drink from the bar).
1973 Original (5 stars):
A classic. Very powerful and dramatic. Some people say it's laughable now. I don't see what there is to laugh at.
Exorcist II (1 star):
As bad as they say it is. Badly made in every way possible.
It looks hideous with its gaudy production design (the African sets are awful, the doctor's office is impractical with its odd layout and endless glass and Linda Blair's rooftop apartment is an insult to the eyes of those who look at it).
The special effects are terrible and the new footage of the possessed girl really reveals how lazy this version is in comparison to the original.
The script is full of odd and silly concepts. The stuff the doctor does in her office with her patients would have had me laughing with how stupid it was if it wasn't for the boredom because it goes on forever.
It's very dreary stuff from start to finish.
Some of the dialogue about philosophy is among the most pretentious stuff ever witnessed by a camera.
Exorcist III (3 stars):
Starts good but eventually sinks under the weight of its endless dialogue. This makes Clerks look like The Rock.
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