The Rite Review

Written by: alex1176   

If you were to re-name the main character in "The Rite" to Father Merrin and set the film in the 1960's, you'd have a pretty good prequel to "The Exorcist". However, there's already one. Two actually; one is titled "The Exorcist: The Beginning" and the other is known as "Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist". Both those films had the same storyline, but were treated differently by their respective directors. So "The Rite" will be extremely familiar to anyone who've seen those films or any other recent exorcism flick. It is rated PG-13 and was directed by Mikael Hafstrom who also filmed the adaption of Stephen King's "1408". On a sidenote, this is the first movie I've seen which carries the new Warner Bros./New Line Cinema logo, which is quite nifty: The WB shield de-assembles before re-assembling into the New Line Cinema film strip.

Anyway, "The Rite" is actually quite good, it's just that it's been done before. The film stars Colin O' Donoghue (Showtime's The Tudors") as Michael Kovak, a young mortician who escapes the family business by joining a seminar college. A skeptic at heart, Michael finishes his four year education, but does not want to become a priest. Being told he'd have pay back his tuition if he did not, Michael re-considers and attends a monthlong course in Rome. The course at hand: exorcist class. It is here where Michael argues his disbelief of the supernatural. And ss a result, he is told to visit an old exorcist to observe the precedings at hand. This is when the film becomes less interesting, as it becomes quite famiilar.

In a sense, we all know Michael will become a believer despite his hardened heart. He will see possessed people and dismiss them as mental cases. But will eventually see the light and become a man of faith. That much is a given. However, the movie does have some interesting tidbits that make it worth watching. The details in the 1/3 of the movie are refreshing, and the locations in Rome are beautifully captured. When demons enter the picture and hone in on Michael, it becomes pretty standard. Still, there are a few scenes that are quite powerful. Such as when Michael talks to his "father". It is a quiet, dramatic scene and if the movie had continued that sense of introverted tension, then it would've been something. Instead, it's a standard exorcist movie with a great beginning. I saw it for only $5, so I didn't feel ripped it off. But you'd better if you just rented it.