Read Mixed User Reviews for Priest

4

ShiiraJun 4, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. All is not quiet at the Catholic Holy Cross Cemetery. Somebody get a priest. On second thought, don't. That's what has John Ford rolling in his grave to begin with. It's the breach in the fine line between homage and ripoff. The sacreligiousity at work here is two-fold. The filmmaker manages to upset both Christians and cineastes in equal proportions. The "Legion" director, whose funny idea of the holy spirit in his 2009 debut was that God would send down a battalion of homicidal angels to zombify the masses with an ecclesiastical opiate, has moved on from ripping off a B-movie classic like George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead". Now, in his not-so-infinite wisdom, he's raiding the film canon for ideas. In "Priest", the filmmakers takes "The Searchers" template and replaces the cowboys and Indians with clergymen and vampires, then sets their ongoing hostilities toward each other in a dystopian world where the Catholic church functions as a totalitarian regime. The all-powerful monsignors, a group of theological autocrats, who preside over the God-fearing masses in these walled-up cities, use Orwellian-like methods of mind control to neutralize the priests, whom the church disbanded after the vampire menace was deemed to be over. Taking a cue from Sam Peckinpah's "Ride the High Country", the priest(Paul Bettany), no longer a useful member of society(the marginalized vampires are tucked away on reservations), is reduced to shoveling coal for a living, a humiliating job, similar to the cowboy Westrum in the 1962 film, who runs a rigged carnival game out of desperation. (Alas, Peckinpah was cremated and had his ashes scattered at sea.) Unlike Ethan Edwards(John Wayne), the priest never returns home to be among the kinfolk. That's probably because he still covets his brother's wife, Shannon. The child they bore together prior to his leaving for the clergy is a dead giveaway; the child whom Hicks and the priest with no name are now searching for. Fate. You can't run away from it. By roaming the city all those years like a vagabond, the priest avoids the sexual tension that Ethan faces when he finally succumbs to love and returns home to see Martha Edwards, still married to his brother Aaron. In the film's iconic first shot, when Martha opens the door, framing the outback in its opening, you notice her hands, first the left, then the right, gripping the house itself to steady herself as she makes her way outside. In that instant, she's not a mother and wife; she's a woman in love, struggling to remember her vows. While Ethan approaches the homestead, Martha does something very subtle with her hand that hints at the desire which belies her blue dress and white apron get-up. Before she straightens her fingers to block out the glare of the sun, they're arranged at the forehead in such a way that suggests she's about to faint. It's not the heat; this conservative frontier woman is swooning. When Ethan chastely kisses her forehead, she closes her eyes. Meanwhile, the Confederate Army hero isn't thinking straight either. The cowboy mistakes Debbie for Lucy, despite the girls being at least ten years apart in age. That's anguish. He wants to turn back the years. Because of "Priest", with its similar but different relationship dynamic between Ethan/Priest and Martha/Shannon, perhaps, a shared sexual past, and not unrequited love, is the correct interpretation for Ethan's stolen glances and the way Martha gently smooths her brother-in-law's military coat. Maybe, just maybe, the identically named Lucy is Ethan's daughter. Now the scene where Ethan and Martha's hands briefly touch as they both reach for a lantern becomes more ambiguous. Aaron, who is storing money away while this display of subtle intimacy takes place, rather than being oblivious to his wife's slight marital indiscretion, may possibly know, and accepts their muted flirtation, but chooses to look the other way. In "Priest", Owen knows that the child isn't his. Evidence of a sexual past can be gleaned from the scene in which Ethan stabs the soil(vagina) with his knife(penis), a metaphorical remembrance, perhaps, of the night he and Martha conceived Lucy, whose denuded lifeless body the war hero discovers in the cave. "Don't ever ask me MORE," Ethan tells Brad, later on, when Lucy's boyfriend mistakes a squaw for his betrothed. "More", filtered through "Priest", suddenly becomes a loaded word. Whereas Ethan's love for Martha outweighs his hatred for the Indians as the determining deterrent against killing Debbie, a converted Comanche, in "Priest", Hicks(the stand-in for Martin), Lucy's protector, probably knows that vampire infection isn't the sole reason for the potentiality of the father committing fratricide. He broke his vow of celibacy. The timeline is a mere technicality. Now he must atone, murderously. Does the priest love God more than his daughter? Thankfully, no.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

4

TheQuietGamerSep 28, 2011

This movie is laughably bad, seriously I laughed throughout this entire thing at how stupid it was, it takes place in some kind of futuristic sci-fi western world, the acting is horrible, and I found myself literally predicting everythingThis movie is laughably bad, seriously I laughed throughout this entire thing at how stupid it was, it takes place in some kind of futuristic sci-fi western world, the acting is horrible, and I found myself literally predicting everything that would happen, from what the characters would say, to what was around the next corner, to how it all play out, and it has what is probably the worst ending of all time, and it tries so hard to be serious which makes it all the more pathetic, honestly avoid this movie at all costs unless you looking for a good laugh, the only reason it's not scoring lower is because I had so much fun laughing at it, this may just be one of the worst movies of all time, don't waste your time or money.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

4

boxenford92May 15, 2011

I actually got some good entertainment. Priest is set in the future after a war between vampires and humans has come to an end. But after a vampire attack outside of the city and a kidnapping of Priest's niece and death of his brother, heI actually got some good entertainment. Priest is set in the future after a war between vampires and humans has come to an end. But after a vampire attack outside of the city and a kidnapping of Priest's niece and death of his brother, he defies church vows and hunts down the vampire. There is a twist in the film that is thrown in there. But this movie isnt really about the story. its a stylish action film and big step up from Legion, Scott Stewart's directing debut film.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

5

ShwestyDec 1, 2011

not the best film i have seen by far, but still enjoyable if you like crazy fight scenes and some impressive usage of weapons, storyline is a bit weak and hard to get into, but the action alone was enough to keep me interested

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

4

grandpajoe6191Sep 18, 2011

"Priest" tries to tame the wild SF+horror+western genre with impressive CGI. Ultimately, the movie is what you will expect.

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

All this user's reviews

5

Princess_PeachJun 4, 2011

I enjoyed this movie. Paul Bettany, Karl Urban, and Cam Gigandent (3 main characters) did a very good job. I loved the beginning of the movie and how they explained the setting of the story. I also loved the new take on vampires.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

All this user's reviews

5

BikerjamesMay 18, 2011

If you're a fan of vampires, you probably won't like this movie. The bad guys could have been anything in this movie - another race, zombies, etc. This movie does not delve into the history or complexity of vampires, it is simply aIf you're a fan of vampires, you probably won't like this movie. The bad guys could have been anything in this movie - another race, zombies, etc. This movie does not delve into the history or complexity of vampires, it is simply a shoot-em-up good guy against bad guy movie. It is predictable and there is nothing new in the story telling. I have to give props for the overall look of the movie, however. I liked the dark, sepia look of the film, and the CGI looks good. At first I was taken aback because there was no female love interest, which is mandatory for a Hollywood film these days, but sure enough the woman shows up halfway through. As it turns out, she is probably the best actor and most interesting character in the film. The ending sets up a sequel, but I don't think it garnered enough ticket sales for that. We'll see.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

All this user's reviews

6

kingshahidJul 26, 2011

This movie could have been much better than it was. The main actor paul bettany played the priest and he certainly fit the role. Everything was great but the plot could have been better. I really liked the costumes. Thanks to this movie IThis movie could have been much better than it was. The main actor paul bettany played the priest and he certainly fit the role. Everything was great but the plot could have been better. I really liked the costumes. Thanks to this movie I decided to buy Legion to check that out due to Bettany's performance in this movie.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

4

MarcDoyleMay 13, 2011

It's a borderline boring movie that's saved by a stellar performance (in a limited role) by Maggie Q. She should have been the star of this film - and should be the lead in something coming up. Her action sequences are terrific. The rest ofIt's a borderline boring movie that's saved by a stellar performance (in a limited role) by Maggie Q. She should have been the star of this film - and should be the lead in something coming up. Her action sequences are terrific. The rest of the movie is ho hum - too grim, not enough humanity. The story is just not that compelling. Paul Bettany is solid in general, but he's tough to root for here. I enjoyed the opening animated sequence probably more than the movie itself. For some reason, this film reminds me of the far superior Equilibrium with Christian Bale & Taye Diggs. (Rent that one instead).… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

All this user's reviews

4

Knicksfan7Jun 2, 2011

Priest was a good to kill some time movie. The only reason I saw it was because its free because i work at a movie theatre. If i had to pay for my ticket i would've been very upset, especially if I payed extra for the 3D. I watched this moviePriest was a good to kill some time movie. The only reason I saw it was because its free because i work at a movie theatre. If i had to pay for my ticket i would've been very upset, especially if I payed extra for the 3D. I watched this movie before I had to go into work and i couldn't complain because it was free and I was only watching it to kill time and it looked like it had potential. Thi movie was ok though. Paul Bettany we all know isn't the greatest actor on the planet. He's a good action film star. This film was pretty much like Legion except in a different area and even darker. Karl Urban plays the villain and I have to say he did an absolute horrible job. His acting was terrible, I don't know if it was the writing or what but he was bad, his lines were so dumb. Overall a 4/10, if your seeing it for free then its worth a watch but if your paying then I would save your money.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

4

DDtcsJun 24, 2011

When I saw the movie I felt that the motorcycle was the star, maybe the motorcycle expressed more emotion than the lead actor. totally predictable and boring occasions, monetarily is entertaining, JUST monetarily.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

4

smijatovJan 5, 2012

"Priest" is exactly what you'd expect it to be - a blood-infested, action-packed, testosterone-charged action fest. That does not necessarily mean it's bad, it's just typical. It follows a rather linear story, with bad dialogue (very"Priest" is exactly what you'd expect it to be - a blood-infested, action-packed, testosterone-charged action fest. That does not necessarily mean it's bad, it's just typical. It follows a rather linear story, with bad dialogue (very machoist, many a times) and some bad visual effects. For a change, however, it does show vampires as not the over-sexualised, highly intelligent beings, but as brute alien like monsters, which was somewhat refreshing. The film is also surprisingly short with only 1 hour and 20 minutes - definitely could have been longer. Well, if it had been better, it could have been longer. The way it is now, though, 1:20 is perfectly fine. I don't even know what to say. Yes, it's entertaining, but it won't leave you with wanting any more than what you've been given. The ending does provide for a perfect (intentionally so) setup for a sequel, that due to horrible reviews and box office will never be made. The films biggest flaw is its poor screenplay, but that might be a fault of the original comic book too, which I have never read before. In general, the film was overly predictable and not very exciting, though reasonably entertaining. Going into it you won't find anything that you haven't seen in films like this before, but you won't be completely disappointed either. If you are looking for what I've described in the first sentence, you'll definitely get that. If you are looking for some genre changer, you will be severely disappointed.… Expand