Director: William Peter Blatty (also writer)
Cast: George C. Scott, Brad Dourif and Jason Miller.
The Plot: Detective William F. Kinderman (George C. Scott) is investigating a series of gruesome religious themed murders. He slowly begins to suspect that there may be some form of supernatural explanation. All of it leading back to that exorcism 15 years ago, and the true fate of his dear friend Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller).
My Thoughts: There is no doubt in my mind that William Friedkin’s The Exorcist is the most famous and (in my opinion anyway) the best horror film there is (but by no means my favorite). Back to my point The Exorcist stands in many peoples minds as a near perfect horror film, it’s also the sort of film that in no way needs a sequel… Let alone two… Anyway- THE EXORCIST III.
I have never seen The Exorcist 2… From what I have heard it is pretty terrible. However in many peoples reviews The Exorcist III isn’t hated nearly as much, in fact a lot of people seem to really like it. So I thought I would grab me a copy of this, frankly bullshit hard to find movie and review it for you all.
The Exorcist III stands as a direct sequel to the first film, ignoring the second (thanks internet). It follows Detective William F. Kinderman who was played by Lee J. Cobb in the first film, now played by George C. Scott, who I must say is one of my favorite actors. His investigation leads him to a Washington hospital where it seems the spirit of a long dead serial killer, known as the Gemini Killer is at large possessing people and committing horrible acts.
Now while on the surface this sounds bloody woeful, it does make sense and really is well told through some of the best dialogue I have heard, so props to writer/director William Peter Blatty (who of course wrote the first film and the novel it was based on).
I will try not to spoil anything but this film ties into the first very well and is able to be a fairly decent sequel. It makes you pine to watch the first film again.
Jason Miller makes his triumphant return as Father Karras, who returns in this film in a very cool way. Jason Miller was certainly my favorite part about the original film, he always carried with him such grace as a performer, and in this film he is on his game. He is indeed Karras in body but his soul is long gone and has been replaced by the spirit of the monstrous Gemini Killer. Through some very good cutting and performance we see Miller, and the great character actor Brad Douriff both portray this killer. Brad Douriff shines in this film, he is terrifying and utterly compelling as pure evil.
George C. Scott brings the heart to film, his character is troubled and carries with him a sense of sadness, that only an actor of Scott’s caliber can bring. He really is the best part about the movie, his character moving from a position of disbelief to pure faith is a great and well executed character arc.
The demon Pazuzu is back, so fear not fans, he is still causing havoc and making peoples voices get dark and scary.
William Peter Blatty handles the film very well. He is subtle and calm. Some of the shots in this film are simply gorgeous. Some of the religious symbolism and iconography is used to startling effect, the opening of the film is stunning!
One thing I want to address is the ‘jump scare’. Now, you watch a horror film, the lead is walking down a corridor, it’s dark, quiet… She looks in an open door way, nothing. She turns back and BAM! Big scary monster, people in the audience scream, violin cords shriek, nervous laughter erupts from the mouth of teenage boys trying to impress the girl they took with them, but if you just show her that you are a man who is in touch with himself and willing to allow yourself to be scared, you seem more human and far more attractive… I mean, a guy who is comfortable with himself is kind of sexy… Is it to much to ask for I mean come on [REDACTED]-
Jump scares are important in horror films, but shouldn’t be overused. This film has one, and it is the best one I have ever seen. It made me scream, like a small child, and maybe wet my [REDACTED].
So if you watch this film may it grab you by the loins!
Carnage: Nothing really… A lot of implied stuff. A little gore right at the end.
Final Call: The Exorcist III is surprisingly good. If you liked the original film, watching this won’t hurt. It is by no means as good as the first film, but in my opinion, a great horror film.