Priest
A post-apocalyptic, sci-fi vampire-thriller from the director of 2010's Legion, and starring Paul Bettany, Karl Urban and Maggie Q. Based on the graphic novel by Min-Woo Hyung.
Set in an alternate world, ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampires, the story follows a legendary Warrior Priest (Bettany) from the last Vampire War who now lives in obscurity among the other human inhabitants in walled-in dystopian cities ruled by the Church. When his niece is abducted by a murderous pack of ugly vampires, Priest breaks his sacred vows to venture out on a quest to find her. He is joined on his crusade by his niece's boyfriend, a trigger-fingered young wasteland sheriff, and a former Warrior Priestess who possesses otherworldly fighting skills.
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressNot exactly an unholy mess, but still a rather too pious retread of classic sci-fi/action/horror riffs that lacks originality or pizzazz, "Priest" won't strike much awe in anyone.
Total Film
pressAny prayers for character development beyond Priest’s basic outline – bad-ass kicks ass – go sadly unheeded.
The New York Times
pressIt becomes clear pretty quickly that the only real thought in the movie has gone into the cowboy-gothic costumes and the computer-generated effects.
Los Angeles Times
pressVampires, cowboys and priests make for a hodgepodge of a horror movie.
Hollywood Reporter
pressA short, dour and stodgy creature feature with average 3D effects that draws on so many film influences from westerns, action adventures and sci-fi tales that what fun there is comes from spotting the many sources.
A.V. Club
pressPriest now feels more like standard-issue popcorn fare than a crazy cult classic in the making.
Got confused with the various 'creatures' - vampires, almost vampires, big weird animals...began to forget which was what. After a while (this movie felt so long) I did forget, and hence, didn't know what was going on. Long bike rides through deserts seemed to drag on, and just when I thought it was finally over - another boring twist, to make us sit there...
Variety
pressNot exactly an unholy mess, but still a rather too pious retread of classic sci-fi/action/horror riffs that lacks originality or pizzazz, "Priest" won't strike much awe in anyone.
Total Film
pressAny prayers for character development beyond Priest’s basic outline – bad-ass kicks ass – go sadly unheeded.
The New York Times
pressIt becomes clear pretty quickly that the only real thought in the movie has gone into the cowboy-gothic costumes and the computer-generated effects.
Los Angeles Times
pressVampires, cowboys and priests make for a hodgepodge of a horror movie.
Hollywood Reporter
pressA short, dour and stodgy creature feature with average 3D effects that draws on so many film influences from westerns, action adventures and sci-fi tales that what fun there is comes from spotting the many sources.
A.V. Club
pressPriest now feels more like standard-issue popcorn fare than a crazy cult classic in the making.
Got confused with the various 'creatures' - vampires, almost vampires, big weird animals...began to forget which was what. After a while (this movie felt so long) I did forget, and hence, didn't know what was going on. Long bike rides through deserts seemed to drag on, and just when I thought it was finally over - another boring twist, to make us sit...
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