Religious horror movies scare me. I actually put off watching THE RITE because
of it. I know a lot of you probably find
that stupid, but it's the truth so deal with it.
We all have certain content that makes us uncomfortable and
for me, it's the religious stuff but any flick with Anthony Hopkins has got to
be worth a look and so in went the Blu-ray of THE RITE.
It only stands to reason that THE RITE is going to get
compared to THE EXORCIST. Lets face it,
any exorcism movie is going to be compared to THE EXORCIST, and they are going
to lose. THE EXORCIST is in a league all
its own and nothing has come even close to touching the classic. THE RITE gives it a run for its money though
and with a stand out cast and really creepy storyline it is most definitely one
that any horror fan should seek out and give a peek.
Based on the novel by Mike Bagilo the movie gets the good
old “based on true events” disclaimer and tells the tell of a young man who is
faced with going into the family mortuary business or becoming a priest. After a bad encounter with a female suicide
victim he decides that embalming isn't for him and head off to the priesthood.
Rutger Hauer plays the boys father and is fantastic.
Once at seminary school, things don't seem to be going well
and Michael is planning on leaving but a series of events unfold that changes
things and he ends up going to exorcism school at the Vatican where he meets up
with Father Lucas played by Anthony Hopkins.
Father Lucas is treating a pregnant woman who is possessed
and Michael joins him in his attempts to rid her of the demon. It soon becomes apparent that there is
something wrong with Father Lucas and Michael must do all he can to save the
old priest.
That's really all I want to give away because to discuss it
more would ruin the viewing for you. THE
RITE does a really good job given its PG 13 restraints. If able to go for the hard R, it might have
been more on par with THE EXORCIST.
Because of Hopkins amazing performance, and as I mentioned
above, Rutger Hauer’s fantastic although limited time on screen this one really
is worth checking out.
THE RITE is tightly wound and easily holds your attention
and some of the exorcism scenes are disturbing to say the least, especially if
these types of films aren’t your cup of tea.
The location shooting is great
and the sets used are dark, creepy and very atmospheric. It all works together to make this one worth checking
out. I do think that stranglehold of the
PG 13 rating hurt THE RITE as it keeps it from gaining its full stride and it
ends up coming off as a bit of teeny bopper scream fest, fun but ultimately just
OK.
Not a lot of meat special features wise on the disc. There is a retrospective on Father Gary
Thomas on whose life the film is based and there is a section of eye witness
accounts of actual exorcisms, which seems to have become a staple on special features
of exorcism flicks.
There is also a look at the actual Exorcism Academy.
Not bad, entertaining just not great.
That about sums it up.
I would say check it out if you like Anthony Hopkins, he is
great as always. Check it out if you
like exorcism films, it’s not bad but mainly check it out for Rutger Hauer’s
small but ultimately memorable turn as Michael’s dad, he’s creepy good.
THE RITE is available now in a Blu-ray, DVD, Digital copy combo pack. Got get it!
