Priest

On May 13, 2011 in the US and Canada, after many postponements, "Priest" unleashed its furry in the theaters. Shot on a $60 million budget, and only grossing a little over $76 million world wide, "Priest" was not a smash hit. Regardless of the box office totals and the critics trashing the film, I believe "Priest" is worth your time. If you think all vampires should be like Edward, then this movie isn't for you, but if you have an open mind this flick is. "Priest" is loosely based off of the Korean comics with the same title, by Min Woo Hyung, an has a post apocalyptic feel to it.

The film takes place in an alternate Earth where humans and vampires have always existed, an been at war. The Vampires being much stronger and faster had the upper hand for centuries. But then the humans found their ultimate weapon within the catholic church. Humans with special abilities were taken in by the church, taught the word of god, and trained to defeat the vampire menace. These special people, humanities warriors, were called Priest. The Warrior Priest did as they were trained, wiped out the vampires hive by hive. Those few Vamps that remained were locked away in camps ( or reservations) out in the wastelands. With the world safe there was no more need for these Priest. They were ordered back into society where they were feared and loathed by the people they protected.

Then one night a pack of rogue vampires attack a family in the wastelands. The father (Stephen Moyer) left for dead, mother killed, and the young girl (Lily Collins) taken. The girl's boy friend and wasteland sheriff (Cam Gigandet) seeks out the girl's uncle, one of the warrior Priest (Paul Bettany). When the Monsignor (Christopher Plummer) denies the Priest's request to go after the girl, he turns his back on the church, and the battle begins.

The special effects and CGI in this film are great, and by the way, all the vampires are done in CGI - except Black Hat (Karl Urban), the new leader of the vampires, and former Priest. The vampires are not typical, other than their thrust for human blood. They are animalistic, eyeless cave dwellers, with a pack mentality, and ruled by a queen. The sun is still a foe, but not deadly. A human that has been bitten, and survived, is know as a familiar. They are neither vampire or human, but something in between. The only exception is Black Hat.

But enough of the spoilers... "Priest" is packed full of action, with very few, and brief slow points. The cinematography is a wonder on the eyes, the writing is great, and the film is topped off with strong performances by all. Don't be fooled by the critics, as many are, if you like action, blood thirst vamps, and a real honest to god hero that knows how to kick ass, "Priest" will deliver.

"Priest" also stars Maggie Q as the warrior priestess, was written by Cory Goodman, and directed by Scott Stewart. "Priest" stands as the most expensive production from Screen Gems, to date.

I give "Priest" 4 1/2 stars...