Capsule reviews of films opening this week:
"Dominion Prequel to the Exorcist" - The second "Exorcist" prequel to hit theaters in less than a year, this is the film Paul Schrader directed - before producers decided it wasn't scary enough and handed it to Renny Harlin for nearly a complete re-shoot. Now they're releasing it anyway, but really, it's a wonder that either prequel has seen the light of day - or was even made in the first place. Both follow Father Merrin (Stellan Skarsgard) in his first showdown with Satan, decades before he would battle him again for the soul of Linda Blair's young Regan MacNeil. Both take place during an archaeological dig in Africa, where evil is unleashed as a hidden Byzantine church is unearthed. And both have woefully unspecial special effects. You have to give Schrader credit, though, for being more interested in the interior journey of a tormented man than in loud, cheap gimmicks. His film is darker and slower than Harlin's "Exorcist: The Beginning," to the point of being almost devoid of narrative drive. R for strong violence and disturbing images. 116 min. One and a half stars out of four.
- Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
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"Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" - The Force is strong with this sixth and final piece in George Lucas' galactic saga, which represents a welcome return to the ideas and the spirit that made his original "Star Wars" a pop-culture juggernaut 28 years ago. The circle is now complete, as Lucas' characters are fond of saying, and much of the film's joy comes from watching these familiar names and events fall into place. It is enormously satisfying to see what pushes young Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) - the would-be Chosen One - to the dark side, and to see him get the name Darth Vader. But the moment we've all been waiting for is one that simply must be experienced in a packed theater: when the mask goes on and the helmet comes down and Anakin takes his first raspy breath as Darth Vader in all his dark, gleaming glory. The iconography is powerful to behold, even more so when compared to the horrendously disappointing Episodes I and II. Lucas' writing still clangs, though, notably during the romantic exchanges between Anakin and his secret bride, Sen. Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman). But he uses the digital technology to far greater advantage than he did in the first two prequels, especially in depicting a swashbuckling, scene-stealing Yoda, voiced by Frank Oz. Ewan McGregor, Ian McDiarmid and Christopher Lee also return as co-stars. PG-13 for sci-fi violence and some intense images. 142 min. Three and a half stars out of four.
- Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
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