The Rite
(2010/New Line Cinema/Warner Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack)
Picture:
B/B- Sound: B/B- Extras: B-/D Film: C
Anthony
Hopkins is no stranger to horror fans – from Magic and on through three separate turns as Dr. Hannibal Lecter,
he has brought an air of class to a genre that is often ignored by other actors
in his league. It was the cause of some
celebration, then, when it was announced that he'd be taking on the devil in The Rite. Unfortunately for this movie, even an
excellent performance from Hopkins
isn't enough to save it.
While the
film isn't unbearable, the majority of its content has been lifted straight out
of other exorcist films that have come before. Some new elements have been added so that this
isn't a complete retread, but even then there is relatively little to
differentiate it from the rest. The
major change is to structure the film so as to shift the focus away from the
possessed and their families and instead show the lives of those fighting to
drive out the demonic presence.
The
events are centered around a doubtful young student at a school for the
training of exorcists who apprentices under Hopkins' Father Lucas. It's all just too boring and predictable –
even a significant plot twist thrown in comes too late in the game and does
little to rouse any excitement. A
better-known cast and larger budget counts for little it seems, as The Rite was trumped by a far better
film to have recently come out - The
Last Exorcism. That film used some
of the same core ideas seen in this film, but spun it in a more interesting and
believable way.
Picture
and sound quality is good on both the Blu-ray and included DVD copy, but
obviously the HD copy is preferable. The
Blu is presented in 1080p high definition and in 2.4:1 aspect ratio and
accompanied by a nice DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack in a 5.1 mix. The DVD has an aspect ratio of 1.77:1 and a
5.1 Dolby mix.
Extras
include some deleted and alternate scenes, as well some words with the exorcist
who inspired the film, as well as the cast and crew. It's sort of nice to have, but doesn't provide
all that much information and works like a promo for the film.
The Rite is an average movie, and one you
probably won't kick yourself for having sat through. It's worth a rental, but there are better
films to catch before you work your way down to this one.
- David Milchick
