Since the uncompromising success of the 1973 horror film 'The Exorcist', Hollywood has spawned many attempts to revitalize the concept of exorcisms and demons in the effective manner the aforementioned film achieved. The results are rarely successful, or even passable for that matter. This religious-based horror thriller offers a slightly less sobering portrayal of exorcism and casting the demon out of a supposed tortured soul. Director Mikael Hafstrom does so by reducing grotesque depictions of blood and gore, and horrifically graphic imagery that have become established tropes of the exorcism-horror subgenre. His efforts transpire to a slightly more realistic approach on the Catholic Church's practices of exorcism. But the question is does the film succeed in terms of scares? Sadly, it does not, nor does it amount to anything beyond a bland exorcism masquerade. This film follows Michael Kovak (played by Colin O'Donoghue), a twenty-something year old seminary student struggling with his faith who holds resentment for his mortican father(played by Rutger Hauer) who wants him to go into the family business. He is coaxed by his mentor Father Matthew (played by Toby Jones) to travel to Rome and take a course on exorcism taught by Father Xavier (played by Ciaran Hinds), hoping it could restore his faith. Seeing his crisis in faith, Xavier sends Michael to an unorthodox exorcism expert Father Lucas (played by Anthony Hopkins). As the two bond, Lucas prepares for what could be his most faith- defining exorcism of his life. From the first quarter of the film, it grows almost explicitly clear what director Hafstrom is trying to achieve, and there is some compelling evidence that his ideas have potential. Unfortunately, the direction in which he operates falls shallow of energy that could have made for a more compelling supernatural vehicle. The first hour moves at a sluggish pace, offering striking arguments on the existence of God as well as compelling debates on the presence of heaven and hell. This accounts to some somewhat intriguing commentary on Catholicism. But when it comes to building up the story, that is where things get increasing faulty. The story grows tedious and slaps viewers with jump scares of grotesque imagery that come far and few in between, before arriving at its formulaic climax. And it certainly does not help that the lead character in which the story revolves around in such a humdrum character while Anthony Hopkins's Father Lucas is the one exceedingly stealing the show. Colin O'Donoghue's performance is fine to say the least, but it does little justice for how uninteresting his character. Easily the striking star here is Anthony Hopkins who breaths immense atmosphere and grit to his role. Looking back at his talent in roles such as Hannibul Lector in the 'Hannibul' series', it is little wonder why Hopkins effectively suites the role. In the end, he at least becomes the saving grace of this otherwise forgettable exorcism fare. The Rite may wield the compelling theatrical talent of Anthony Hopkins, but it fails to deliver the scares and thrills to compete with the criminally shallow execution. Sure, they are plenty of intriguing concepts about Catholicism and the existence of God that serves for good food-for-thought for religious viewers aching to see this film. Above it all, it is sadly forgettable.

The Rite (2011): Dir: Mikael Hafstrom / Cast: Colin O'Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins, Ciaran Hinds, Alice Braga, Rutger Hauer: Conventional spiritual thriller about the formula for confronting evil and Satan's cunning methods to stray that formula. Colin O'Donoghue plays Michael whose father was a mortician and expects him to follow into the Priesthood. After four years at Catholic university he questions his faith until he is witnessed at an accident dealing with a female upon death. He is sent to Father Lucas who introduces him to a pregnant woman whom claims to be possessed. After witnessing the body twitching and spitting up nails he soon comes to realize that he is there for a reason. Director Mikael Hafstrom is given great shots of Rome as well as a creepy cat infested location. O'Donoghue holds the film together with his dealings with his upbringing, to his questioning of his faith, to his witnessing the bizarre. He will be the stronghold with the ultimate exorcism in the end. Anthony Hopkins does well as Lucas who is an experienced exorcist yet faces failure and weakness. Supporting roles are not all that well rounded. Ciaran Hinds as a Priest professor who hardly interesting, and Alice Braga as a reporter and student is basically a potential romantic prop. Rutger Hauer makes an appearance but how great would it have been to have him in scenes with Hopkins? That would be great casting in a hopefully better film. While the film is well made visually it still feels corny at times and it pales in comparison to The Exorcist, which still remains the very best film of this kind ever made. Score: 6 / 10

Good film but the graffiti actually said , me that owns it now , and not, he belongs to me now ? The film was great , very well acted and was set in a stunning location , it was a bit slow in the beginning but when it finally got going we were in grossed in the film and Antony Hopkins was brilliant . we didn't actually go to the cinema to watch this film we rented it but I would have rather seen it in the cinema it would have looked better on the big screen . the acting by all was superb bay all the cast . good film well worth the rental fee and would like to own it to watch again .would I recommend this film , yes I would it is well worth a look ,if you are a bit jummpy this isn't that bad ,but there is a part that will make you jump ,but I will not spoil it .

Talking to my dad about getting ready to take part in the October Horror Challenge on IMDb's Horror board,I was happily caught by surprise,when he revealed that he had picked up a title for me to view during the challenge,which led to me getting ready to find out how rite things could go.The plot:Nearing the end of his training to be a vicar, Michael Kovak writes a letter to Father Matthew saying that he wants to quit the course due to having a lack of faith.Meeting Matthew,Kovak is told that his resignation has not yet been accepted,due to Matthew wanting Kovak to meet a Father Lucas Trevant,who is involved in the exorcism of demons. Meeting Trevant,Kovak is allowed to go along with Trevant to visit patients he is attempting to exorcise. Initially sceptical over Trevant's claims,Kovak soon finds himself coming face to face with the devil.View on the film:Before getting to the film,I have to give a mention to the shockingly poor treatment that Warner's have given the title on R2 DVD,with the movie featuring a good amount of dialogue in Italian,which is not translated in auto-subtitles,and is also left a number of times completely untranslated in the official subtitles(such as the DVD Subtitles saying "Trevant speaks Italian" during a 5 minute scene,almost all of which is in Italian!) Brought in by the producers to bring Matt Baglio's non-fiction book The Making of a Modern Exorcist,the screenplay by Michael Petroni keeps any sense of doubt from Kovak to be presented in an insular manner,which leads to any doubts behind the psychological effects that the exorcism's have on people to be an issue which is quietly pushed aside.Along with the insular treatment towards even the slightest bit of a sceptic thinking,Petroni also keeps away from giving the patients the slightest sense of an outline,which leads to the films attempt to build a sense of fear to quickly burn out,thanks to the viewer having been unable to connect to the victims in any manner.While Colin O'Donoghue gives a surprisingly flat performance as Kovak,Anthony Hopkins lights up the screen as Trevant,with Hopkins showing a real skill at mixing the somber with unexpected comedic one-liners,as Trevant and Kovak look into the eyes of their own demons.