The Exorcist has quite a pedigree. The novel dominated the bestseller list for 55 weeks. The first movie version, The Exorcist (1973), was directed by Oscar winner William Friedkin and was itself nominated for Best Picture. Exorcist 2: The Heretic (1977) was helmed by Oscar nominee John Boorman. Exorcist 3 (1990) was directed by the author of the novel and an Oscar winner in his own right, William Peter Blatty. Now we have Exorcist: The Beginning, directed by 4-time Razzie nominee, Renny Harlin. What's wrong with this picture?

There's a lot wrong with this picture, but there are also a few things right with it. The cinematography, by the legendary Vittorio Storaro, is so atmospheric the dust motes practically float off the screen. The score, by former Yes member Trevor Rabin, alternates between subtle and stirring. The star, Stellan Skarsgard (who's one of my all-time faves) is an actor who was magnificent in movies like Insomnia and Good Will Hunting -- and he was the best thing in King Arthur earlier this year. Exorcist: The Beginning does have a thunderous, Satan-soaked climax, complete with a well-done homage to Regan (no pea soup, though).

The movie has been bedeviled with problems from the git-go. Renowned writer/director Paul Schrader was originally hired to direct, but he turned in a completed version that studio suits decided was too cerebral and not nearly scary enough. So popcorn-friendly Harlin was hired to do a completely new version, presumably to bring up the blood and boobs factor. Rumors have plagued the production, and it was even announced online and on television that Warner Bros. was so worried that they would not be showing it to critics in advance. (I saw the movie on the lot before it came out, so that's not true.)

Exorcist: The Beginning is -- you guessed it -- a prequel. It explores the younger life of Father Merrin (a role made famous by Max Von Sydow in 1973, played by Skarsgard now) and his very first encounter with true evil. We learn that it was a Nazi, Lieutenant Kessel (Antonie Kamerling), who broke Merrin's faith in God. Exorcist: The Beginning picks up where Merrin meets evil again several years later in Africa where he is employed to lead the excavation of a mysterious Byzantine church which was seemingly buried just days after its completion. Directly beneath the church, Merrin discovers a much more ancient temple of worship: One of unspeakable wickedness, now uncovered by the excavation and ready for some fresh air (and fresh souls!). So far, so good.

Merrin meets the local mercenary doctor (played by the beautiful Izabella Scorupco… sorry but in real life, these ladies look like Mother Theresa more often than not) and there's an instant attraction. OK, I'll go along; after all, Merrin has denounced the priesthood. Right around here we also meet Jeffries (Alan Ford), a crass digger with a boil-infected face, rotten teeth, and a penchant for gut-rot. When he makes some crude comments to the pretty doctor-lady, his leer is more laughable than threatening. So far, not so good.

About 1/3 through the movie, when the horribly-rendered CGI hyenas show up, ye can abandon all hope. In broad strokes Exorcist: The Beginning is a compelling story -- but the devil's in the details. Too many little things don't add up. Consequently, just as the movie is teetering on the brink of promise it plummets into a pit of cheese fondue, thanks to ridiculous dialogue, appallingly bad special effects, and characters you couldn't care less about. The story crumbles into what feels like an exercise in scriptwriting meets Mad Libs (the screenwriter, Alexi Hawley, wisely lined up his next job before this movie came out).

Since there is really no competition to cross it this weekend, Exorcist: The Beginning will probably do OK. In fact, I daresay some people will enjoy the movie -- for me, it was saved in the 'Old Nick' of time by its bang-up ending. If you're a big fan of unintended camp or/and movies that depict dramatic demonic possession then go ahead and give the devil his due. Otherwise, wait for the big "Satan taste test" when both the Schrader and Harlin versions hit DVD.

Review by Staci Layne Wilson [1] for Horror.com

Also take a look at Horror.com's premiere coverage [2] and 60 Second Review [3] of "Exorcist: The Beginning."