The Priest

Review of the movie Priest. As usual, spoilers spoilers spoilers!

I’ve been wanting (and drooling) about this movie ever since i saw its trailer a few months ago. That’s especially when i saw the posters where Paul Bettany (the lead role) posed like the main character in the Assassin’s Creed game. What can i say, i’m a sucker for this kind of sci-fi movies. Finally, i got to see it today!

The premise of the movie is about a post-apocalyptic-like world where men battled against vampires all throughout history. Eventually, they declared themselves victorious for being able to wipeout most of the vampires. This is thanks to powerful human warriors called ‘priests’. They are highly-skilled, and trained vampire slayers that possess gifts of agility and strength – that they can use to hunt and kill. They are called priests by the way, since they are under the guidance and control of the church – lead by monsignors. These priests are easily recognizable through the cross tattoos on their foreheads – which is more like a brand of discrimination. The church de-commissioned them after the supposed victory against the vampires.

The first scenes (to be actually referred to as a dream/flashback later) was okay. Then, a story-telling through animation came up. I said, “oh no! not again”. I’ve come to the realization that most movies that uses this style to narrate a background story aren’t really good movies. The ‘Priest’ adds another proof to that – to my disappointment.

Visually, the movie is really good – actually at times quite stunning. And the dark-brooding and cool-composure of the protagonists are really something to admire (but it’s kind of reminiscent of many other movies).

However, there isn’t really anything to be admired story-wise. The movie seems to build really good foundation for a deep and interesting plot but it just doesn’t reach it. The course of the movie is fairly simplistic and highly predictable – and quite frankly, a bit pointless.

There’s really nothing much to say about the story anymore. It would have been quite a movie experience if it were scary – considering it’s about slaying gruesome vampires that aims to annihilate mankind. The movie fails even to do that. Even the fight scenes aren’t as awesome as i would have expected but their not at all boring – which is one of the (almost) saving grace of the movie. 

By the way, don’t expect any Edward (Twilight) or Selene (Underworld) vampires here. The vampires in this movie are computer-generated eye-less creatures that craves for human flesh to either eat or rip-apart.

The movie is an eye-candy for sure and really for dark-brooding, hooded hero fans.

Would i recommend it to anyone?
Maybe not for movie theaters.
Just rent it when it comes out on DVD.