Sunday, March 6, 2016

The Exorcist III (1990)

Director: William Peter Blatty

Writer: William Peter Blatty

Composer: Barry De Vorzon

Starring: George C. Scott, Ed Flanders, Brad Dourif, Jason Miller, Nicol Williamson, Scott Wilson, Nancy Fish, George DiCenzo, Don Gordon, Harry Carey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Fabio

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Do you dare walk these steps again?

Plot: A police lieutenant uncovers more than he bargained for as his investigation of a series of murders, which have all the hallmarks of the deceased 'Gemini' serial killer, lead him to question the patients of a psychiatric ward.



My rating: 7.5/10

Will I watch it again?  Yes.

I haven't seen this in nearly 25 years.  I remember liking it but I REALLY liked it on this most recent watch.  Scott has a couple of moments where he a little too intense (at least it seems weird).  Dourif has a great monologue where he really gets to show off his acting chops.  It's more of a detective thriller with some supernatural elements than it is a horror film.  Blatty, who wrote the novel that started the franchise, gets his second and final directing gig and he does a great job.  There's a genuine sense of evil and dread running alongside some wonderful performances.  It's been said the studio forced him to add an exorcism at the end for fear audiences would stay home without it.  I don't think that part is as bad as some people think but I am curious to see what Blatty had in mind.  I read recently that there's a Blu-ray release in the works that will have Blatty's cut of the film.  I'd LOVE to see that.  The Warner Bros. snapcase DVD has the film in anamorphic widescreen with only the theatrical trailer (also in anamorphic widescreen) for an extra.  There should be more as it's a good film and the best sequel in the franchise (and some would say even better than the first).

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