Mostly Forgettable, Pretty Entertaining | Exorcist: The Beginning (2004) RGP Review

[@trexxy9628]

Stellan Skarsgärd was really the only choice for a younger Merrin. He’s outstanding, but everything else around the backstory was just… ugh. He’s an amazing character that deserved a better cohesive effort.

[@RocklinGraves]

He’s fantastic in everything he does

[@EdsterIII]

Stellan Skarsgärd basically saved Exorcist IV: The Beginning. Or Exorcist: Dominion. I forget which version I saw at the 🎥🎥movie🎥theater🎥🎥, but I ended up owning both DVD versions of the Movie which I had never seen happen before. I mean I had heard of movies having 2 endings or 2 scripts that were filmed, but I never saw them both edited and released on DVD for people to buy. It was really interesting however to see how both movies had similar aspects but then they went in different directions. Unique is one way to describe it. The movies themselves however as far as the franchise goes. They weren't awful, but they weren't really good either. About 5/10 maybe, and that's being kind.

[@efrensilva8481]

I also loved the “drip fed” in regards to Merrin’s backstory… one of my favorite horror movies 🍿

[@Argos-xb8ek]

Exorcist The beginning was a wild one for me. I remember i was about 7/8 when it came out I remember it better than all the other ones.

[@Trabunkle]

Thanks for not comparing the movie to a turd like all those other reviewers do! 🤟🏻💀

[@darktower0603]

It wasn't that great but the acting from Stellan Skarsgard elevated it to something better. I feel like it could have been awesome if more time and care had been taken. The possessed girl running down the corridor towards us at the end was hilariously awful lol. Compared to The Heretic it was a masterpiece!! Another great video. I look forward to Dominion.

[@RocklinGraves]

Thank you! Dominion video should be up tomorrow…. I’m chuckling thinking about demon Sarah

[@EdsterIII]

​@@RocklinGravesWhat is such a mystery to me is how these studio executives are able to keep their jobs? They continue to destroy franchises for greed and for this new agenda era. Unlike when the original Exorcist was made, in the 70's, nowadays having God in movies is just not a good idea? People have tried to have God removed from pretty much every aspect of life. The Devil however has had a television series.....Lucifer, as well as countless of other things. The Social Justice mentality can be a contradiction. But I'm not going to waste more time on them. Except to say this, the original Exorcist was like⚡⚡Lightning⚡⚡in a 🧴🍾bottle🍾🧴. At the time that movie was released, the Catholic Church wasn't in the midst of all of the issues and felonies. This movie scared people down to their very core! People would see this movie, they'd sometimes pass-out, become physically ill, leave the 🎥Theater🎥 screaming, or they'd run straight to church. This movie struck a chord. The devil was never shown in such a real visceral way before, and it TERRIFIED PEOPLE!! It became a Box Office Smash. Word of mouth spread like 🔥🔥wild🔥fire🔥🔥. Soon everyone had heard about this horrific, terrifying, twisted, potentially real, and brutal movie like nothing anyone's ever seen before. So as soon as the executives heard this. The next sound was the noise of CHA-CHING! 💰🤑💸💲🪙🪙💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵💵🪙🪙! Gimme money money, money, money, money!!!!! So they instantly start making plans for the sequel! Plot? who cares? Characters? Get some. Writing? Find one, ANYONE! So in the end, they get money, but fans usually get a subpar movie, with maybe one of the original characters from the first movie, and a plot that ends up being better used as 🚽🪠🧻💩toilet🚽paper💩🧻🪠🚽!! Which is why I again reiterate, HOW DO THEY STILL HAVE JOBS?

[@garzapinups]

Id love to know your thoughts on the recent reveal of the real demon that was in possession of the girls, Lamashtu. About 90percent of her scenes were cut leaving a few flashes of her in the film and trailer. Apparently she was cut due to test audiences feeling it wasn’t grounded in reality. If I’m not mistaken, in this film we’re lead to believe it could be Pazuzu, based on dialogue between Chris McNiel and the young girl possessed. I would’ve loved to see her because the visual effects makeup on her is extremely terrifying, beautiful and grotesque and I believe her introduction would’ve been definitely something new and not what audiences would expect. Love your videos 🦇

[@RocklinGraves]

I talked about that in my latest video on Believer actually

[@JoyaLewisTheMusician]

15:22 I love Olafur Arnalds and Arnor Dan too! Was so excited and surprised to hear them when I watched Broadchurch for the first time

[@birsal]

I saw this in the theatre opening night. Laughed so hard in the end.

[@RocklinGraves]

God I wish I could’ve been in a theatre for that lol I was just howling alone in my house

[@birsal]

I convinced 3 people to go with me to the 7pm show. We all laughed so hard. Ended up sticking around to see Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow right after. Not sure which one was worse. Hahaha.@@RocklinGraves

[@MartimusPrime89]

Nice to see what bricktop from snatch was doing before becoming a London gangster

[@EriksAngelKeri]

David Bradley is in fact fantastic. I adore him in everything he's in. I want to suggest another underrated actor as well - Toby Jones. Doctor Who, Sherlock, the Hunger Games, Harry Potter, and I've never seen anyone talk about him. He's amazing, and similar to David 😊

[@tibocool1328]

I feel this movie gets a lot of hate because of its behind the scenes, but I do think its a decent horror film that tried to be different unlike believer. also nice video man, il subscribe.

[@thatssheek]

At 7:06 that seemed remind me of Hellraiser the random guy giving the Uncle that cube box

[@aurelienknockaert2182]

Exorcist: The Beginning is a film that I find fun to watch. I really like the two prequels. Personally, The Exorcist franchise is a franchise that I love (yes even The Heretic) and the idea of ​​having 2 films with a similar concept (The Beginning and Dominion) is interesting. It reminds me a lot of the Ring franchise (the Japanese version) with "Rasen" and "Ring 2" released a year apart and both being direct sequels to Hideo Nakata's "Ring" with "Rasen" being the adaptation of second novel and a more sci-fi thriller, and "Ring 2" an original sequel completely ignoring Rasen and more in the horror style of "Ring".

[@BoogeyManBen]

Great video. Only seen dominion and beginning, each, twice. I didn’t hate either but didn’t love them either. I think I prefer Beginning but Stellan is the saving grace for both films. There are only two films in the franchise I think are masterpieces, the original and Part III.

[@RocklinGraves]

Agreed. I think I like Dominion more just because it’s more character driven and has a better script but Beginning is a lot more fun to watch so there’s give and take lol

[@PancakeLizard710]

This scared me i dont get scared much in movies but its the statues and the paintings gets me

[@daisysunshine1324]

I did watch this for the first time after returning from having a couple of drinks in the pub. I had no idea I was watching something that was supposed to be a prequel of the Exorcist, so I found it a fun little late night, popcorn film. Although it did feel a bit dragged out.

[@ChucksCherubs3]

I saw that movie in theatres when it came out. I asked to speak to the manager afterwards, and asked for my money back. He did give it back to me. I just realized that I may have been one of the very first ’Karens’. 🥴

[@chuckyarlaw7380]

Read so many negative reviews but finally got around to watching it. Not great not awful, enjoyed it.

[@EdsterIII]

What's absolutely hilarious is that I saw one of these versions in the theater. Later I bought the DVD, but it was different than the movie I saw. I found another or the other DVD version of this movie. Now I won't say that these were epic movies. Exorcist III was an epic sequel. These were basically "Prequels" that told or gave Father Merrin a deeper back story. They weren't bad, but they weren't exactly great either. However unlike the Flophouse movie Exorcist Believer, it at least had some of the continuity of the original movie. Something the "Believer" movie didn't have and actually mocked some of the original story. Overall if I was rating these movies. The first one, the original Exorcist was obviously the best. Plot 10/10. Fear factor 10/10. Cast 9/10. Special Effects 8/10. Make-up however gets a 10/10. Overall a 47/50. Or 94%. Exorcist II:The Heretic was not even close to the original. Plot 3/10. Fear Factor 4/10. Cast 3/10. Special Effects 2/10. Make-up 5/10. Overall 17/50 or 34%. The third one however, Exorcist III or "Legion" was brilliant. Nothing could come close to or equal the original, but this one came the closest. Plot 10/10. Fear Factor 10/10. Cast 10/10. Special Effects 5/10. Make-up 5/10. Overall. 40/50 or 90%. Now these "Prequels" again aren't even close to the original movie. Plot 5/10. Fear Factor 5/10. Cast 7/10. Special Effects 4/10. Make-up 3-10. 24/50 or 48%. Last but not least, the FLOPHOUSE movie Exorcist Believer. Plot 5.5/10. Fear Factor. 4.5/10. Cast 5/10. Special Effects 5/10. Make-up 7/10. 27/40. Or 54%. In my opinion, the original movie and the third movie are the two top choices in this franchise. The rest are basically a studio or studio executives trying to capitalize on the successes of the first movie for a quick💰🤑💸CASH💲GRAB🪙💶💰!! And as it usually happens when studio executives use greed as a their focal point, not common sense, which is why these movies made quickly after a brilliantly written movie end up looking and smelling like --->💩💩💩💩!!

[@spitfire9412]

lol, the Gehrman drop in. Love it.

[@ExorcistReviews]

So the exorcism (in Africa) mentioned in the original film was like "10-12 years ago" according to Father Tom Birmingham. That would have been like early 1960s. Was this movie set before that?

[@RocklinGraves]

I’m gonna need to get you to proof-read my exorcist scripts lol

[@RocklinGraves]

This movie’s set in 1949

[@gavvo-7640]

Hi Evan. I saw this video in my notifications so went and re-watched The Beginning before I watched your video. It's actually quite an entertaining movie and have to say, it made me jump a couple of times. The film is littered with subtle nods to the original which I found cool, Merrin saying "Thankfully, my will is weak" when offered an alcohol beverage... Joseph's IV smashing to the floor in the clinic..The clock stopping...the dig site footage as well as shots of the insane wandering around the sanitarium. The Hyena attack was brutal...the poor monkey got eaten!! Jump-Scare for me right there! The bad points as you raised... Sarah becoming possessed! Why did they try to replicate Regan's make-up? Looks awful! Regan's scratches and cuts on her face were caused by Pazuzu forcing her to harm herself with the crucifix - no explanation with Sarah! And that dialogue, Oh My!!! Utterly ridiculous and just made me laugh out loud! Pazuzu seems to be obsessed with certain things entering certain orifices lol. Question... if at the end the Church is once again buried...then how did the statue of Pazuzu move from meters and meters under the ground to being on top of a hill for Merrin to stand off against in 1973?Cracking review pal... I'm now off to watch Dominion! Look forward to THAT review! The Exorcist (1973) at the cinema tonight... woop! Excited!

[@joncerda351]

My favorite is the "juicy ass" comment LMAO 19:18

[@RocklinGraves]

It’s golden

[@joncerda351]

Why juicy? 😂😂😂

[@magical571]

@@joncerda351 helfire lube

[@JezzebellaLu]

Thanks!

[@RocklinGraves]

Damn thank you I really appreciate that! Not even sure what to say really you’re the first Super Thanks on the channel. Thank you so much for the support

[@garrettpeck4437]

I caught this one in the theater, as I did the first one on re-release and the third on initial release. While it is nowhere near as good as I and 3, it's at least quite a bit better than 2. In the end, it's merely okay, but I did enjoy it. Dominion never played in the theaters around here, so I had to catch it on video. Of the two, I preferred Renny Harlan's Beginning. It was what the studio wanted-- a scarier film. What holds both together is the brilliant casting of Stellan Skarsgärd, who was completely believable as a younger Max Von Sydow. The Exorcist is perhaps the most uneven franchise in horror history. We have two great films (Exorcist and Legion), two mediocre films (Beginning and Dominion), and two bad films (Heretic and Believer).

[@stard9864]

The fact that it was violence agaisnt like..poc children is what got me when I watched this..lol I wasnt surprised. Because cinema is usually cruel to poc back then LMAO. Me and my brother were like so like..wtf? at the hyena scene..like???? If they did this to a white kid it would be a different story maybe people would know of this movie more LMAO. This movie could of been very promising but its just insane for no reason.

[@TheBeird]

Alan Ford being in it already gives it some merit. Not much, but some

[@beritberit147]

Great channel! I always liked this movie böööt i was born in 87 and I'm Swedish so it's not really my fault✌️❤

[@RocklinGraves]

Haha very fair. Thank you!

[@CYB3R2K]

It was a great movie, better than any sequel the exorcist got. A lot a disturbing imagery and the whole battle between the tribe and the army turning into a bloodbath.

[@zephyrspride]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one that laughed so hard at the hyena scene. The CGI was so terrible that it turned this movie into a comedy for me and I love every minute of it.

[@mlthmp]

Absolutely LOVE The Beginning

[@cristianacevedo178]

why?

[@SeeinHyrule]

She becomes a deadite, it's great I did also like the lore stuff

[@johnyzero2000]

Vittotio Storaro rules!

[@alisdairmckenzie22]

So they could have called this Merrin's Choice.... he he he

[@nathangonzalez9710]

While this had some stupid shit (Looking at you dr. Demon lady), i personally enjoyed it. It might have to do with the fact that at one point this was one of 5 dvds that i owned to my name (got 5 for $20 at a pawn shop and have always been a fan of Stellen soooo).

[@raohdensetsu]

I remember watching the movie inn the theater and i liked it

[@kevindaly1445]

I don't think Christianity had spread anywhere by 5AD. Perhaps you meant 5th century AD ?

[@gonelucid]

Youre right..i COMPLET3LY forgot about that movie.

[@RocklinGraves]

If it weren’t for how funny the ending is I probably would’ve already too

[@HUEnshiro_do_Norte]

7:23 Not Peru. Iraq.

[@RocklinGraves]

My bad you’re right. Been a busy week lol

[@JayART71]

Saw this in the cinema and I was so disappointed 😊

[@tenimeartstudios]

I did *not* unsubscribe from you, but when I came to your channel, I wasn't subscribed anymore... 😕

[@tenimeartstudios]

I hate shaky cam, too!

[@mikedurant78]

I already heard exorcist believer is terrible. I knew it .

[@RocklinGraves]

I’ve seen that people aren’t super hot on it, not that it’s terrible. It’s got like a 6.7 on IMDB or something like that at the moment, but I’ll never judge until I’ve seen it

[@mikedurant78]

@@RocklinGraves I'm not going to see it. And this is going to be part of a trilogy. Nah. Not buying it.

[@RocklinGraves]

Fair enough man

[@winstedwildmanresearch]

"Church from 5 AD?" Jesus was crucified around 33 AD, and Christianity didn't have "churches" until much later! Who wrote this? LOL. If they said a Jewish or Pagan Temple from 5 AD, okay... that works.

[@joey86bu1]

I had to travel to France...... Haaaa.

[@MatzoBaller]

As a metalhead, I object to your characterization of the guy who carved a swastika into his chest. We're not all evil.

[@RocklinGraves]

Wasn’t a characterization, just a joke. I don’t think all metalheads are evil lol

[@magical571]

@@RocklinGraves i'm a metalhead and i worship satan every night after a glass of milk and some cookies. A demon a day keeps the doctor away.

[@zaidisrael]

By far this is the worst recaps I've ever seen...waste of time...less of you and more of the movie...blah blah blah blah blah

[@DaniellaGuillano-bt8lf]

Here mate, most people don't know that Dominion exists, pretty sure everyone remembers The Beginning getting released, it had a fucking Massave promotional campaign, it was literally everywhere!!! To the point where I went to see it in cinemas at 10 years old having only seen the original the day before in preparation for this, because it was a pretty big deal. Not that it did amazingly but it was promoted as a BIG deal. It was the 1st Exorcist in YEARS!!! People really really anticipated it!!!! Obviously it was boring and not very good but it's for sure remembered for being a colossal let down!!! Because it was hyped up for years before it was released!!!!! It was one of those notorious flops. To say most people don't know it existed is just straight up wrong, u might not have because your very young, likely not even born when this came out. Those of us who where there remember!!! It was like Waterworld for horror movies, promoted as an epic and failed super publicly!! That's why they released Dominion because they had to try claw some of that money back, after the FUCKING MASSAVE AD CAMPAIN!!!