The Order (2003): Dir: Brian Helgeland / Cast: Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon, Mark Addy, Peter Weller, Benno Furmann: Similar to The Omen only not as slick and much more confusing. It regards political elements within religion and Heath Ledger plays a rebellious Priest chosen for a task he doesn't desire. He investigates the mysterious death of his mentor committed by a being known as Sin Eater. Screenplay is haunting but the conclusion falls short. Directed by Brian Helgeland who recruits three actors from his overrated A Knight's Tale. Terrific effects with ominous atmosphere with the Sin Eater presented as an interesting character urging Ledger to continue his work. Ledger holds strong dealing with strange supernatural elements as well as trust in those around him. Shannyn Sossamon appears as a past victim whom he once had arrested. She will be subjected to some mumbo jumbo but not without a will to fight. Mark Addy his loyal companion who braves the trauma alongside Ledger despite the third act lunacy. Peter Weller has a key role as a Cardinal who may or not be what he appears. Benno Furmann plays the Sin Eater, which should rank as a horrible diet. He is the villain whom causes sh*t for Ledger. The Omen is broader and more compelling. The Order isn't making any sort of statement it does succeed in its thriller elements, which it keeps well in order. Score: 7 / 10

For years this movie was actually my favorite of all time, or at the very least tied with Bill Murray's "The Life Aquatic". This movie IS NOT A HORROR FILM. Get that ridiculous thought out of your heads people. In summation, it's a drama that brings characters to the brink of self-destruction in a Dogmatic Catholic universe (e.g. Vatican City). This is a pseudo-exorcism movie, insofar that there are exorcisms of a sort, but then you are made to think about the repercussions. The CGI is cheesy, but this is circa 2003, probably went in production in 2002. We didn't even have iPods back then, and the smartest phone you could get was a Blackberry, with a Palm Pilot to back it up. There are a couple of lines that seem forced, and I know for a fact that there is a part that I typically fast-forward through to get through the dialogue. All said, this is not an A movie, but definitely more deserving than the D rating most everyone is giving it.The people who rate this film low are the same ones responsible for the fact that we can EXPECT a new Transformers, Avengers, Twilight, etc. film year after year.

I have been exposed to enough truth to not be offended by the anti-Catholic bias displayed in the film. Anyway, I wouldn't let something like that deter me from watching a Heath Ledger film that I missed. He was taken from us far too early, and one should partake of every example he gave of his acting skills.Be forewarned. This film requires you to watch and think. That leaves out a whole lot of modern moviegoers, and would explain why it was not a bigger film. It is also dark and moody, which leaves out those looking for scatological humor.Brian Helgeland wrote, produced and directed the film, and even brought Ledger, Mark Addy and Shannyn Sossamon from The Knight's Tale along with him. As they say in the film, they are the "Catholic Pete, Linc and Julie", solving a mystery surrounded by horror from Hell.If you like films like Stigmata, Lost Souls and The Omen, you will enjoy this one.

Perhaps if The Order came out in 2007 onward, I would've called this a rip-off of The Da Vinci Code. So, even though this is my first viewing, I have to reverse that statement.They were both "mystery, suspenseful, anti-catholic" thrillers, and neither of which I liked. I will say this: using the famous phrase, this is the lesser of both evils.The problems I had with this movie, I will admit, are my own problems. The first half of this movie confused the crap out of me, and I nearly lost interest multiple times, caring less on where these characters were headed or what fates they will face. But, since I bought it – thank GOD, it was a used $1.99 Blockbuster copy, and even then I think I overspent by $1.98 – I followed through to the end.The cloud of confusion lifted about the half-way mark and remarkably, it became enormously straightforward and definitely predictable. So, if you didn't like it up front, it only goes downhill when everything's revealed. As does most of the silly special effects.Typically, I give a synopsis in my reviews, but, again, since my head was spinning for half the feature, I'll give what I remember of the film. Priest/warrior/dark knight Bernier (Ledger – in one of his worst acting jobs I've seen from the late and brilliant actor) has his own justice league made up of recently released convict Sinclair (Sossamon) and Garrett (the usually funny, but barely here, Addy.) I'm guessing here (so, forgive my ignorance) they like to hunt bad spirits, or bad men, or just strange phenomenons surrounding the Faith. When Bernier's mentor gets killed, Bernier's gather up his ghostbusters to go find the murderer even though the Catholic faith might be compromised! There's also some evil high priest, I think that's what he was, whose identity is seen a mile away (even in the confusing first half.) Bernier's eventually left with some tough choices when he encounters the very bad man/"killer." Normally, I would think his "mind-game" type dialogue was good or better, but it all felt so mediocre at best.I would say skip this very boring, so-called "action" movie and even though The Da Vinci Code's not much better, it's still 3-4 steps ahead.