I do not know why this movie got such a bad reception with the critics and  the viewers, i think it`s pretty good, it is not, certainly better than the original, but it still manages to be pretty scary and obscure. And now some information about the whole two movies with the exactly the same story thing: Paul Schrader was originally hired to direct this movie, but after its completion studio was not satisfied with his work so they hired Renny Harlin to try to make a better version. Did he succeed in this, it is up to you to decide.

This is the Renny Harlin`s version of the movie and Paul`s came out one year later and the movie is called Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist. And now about the movie, as always with the lack of inspiration, they decided to make a prequel of the original Exorcist movie, so this one is set in 1947. Father Merrin is stationed in Africa where he will meet the abominable Pazuzu daemon, upon the discovery of an odd looking church, buried right after its completion. Great special effects and the magnificent performance of Stellan Skarsgård ( Liam Neeson supposed to be in this movie, but eventually he did not, and I am glad for that) and the whole devilish premise were enough for me, enjoy…

Director: Renny Harlin

Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Izabella Scorupco, James D’Arcy, Remy Sweeney, Ben Cross

Rating:  

Fun Facts: The film was originally rated NC-17 “due to the film being too graphic and violent”. The offending scenes were edited and the result was the R-rating for “strong violence and gore, disturbing images and rituals, and for language including some sexual dialogue”.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0204313/