5/5 The TRUE sequel to the orginal Exorcist!
  by John Margaritis (Floral Park, NY USA)
From the eerie opening dream sequence, I was drawn into this film by William Peter Blatty's great screenplay (based on his book, Legion) and confident directing. He deftly blends elements of mystery and horror together to create an atmosphere of evil that is both subtle at times and shocking at others. And just as William Friedkin did in the orginal Exorcist, the employment of auditory stimuli are used in a way that get under your skin and stay there.

The plot revolves around Detective Bill Kinderman--played this time by the great George C. Scott--trying to solve a series of gruesome murders that seem to somehow be related to the exorcism of Regan MacNeil 17 years ago. The story is allowed to develop at a relaxed pace, and will keep you guessing as to what's happening and why. But as it continues to unfold, Kinderman's faith in God, which he admits that he doesn't have much of, and his own sanity are tested by an ungodly force that he can't begin to comprehend. Blatty takes all the things we believe in and comfort us--faith in God, religious symbols, and Good over Evil--and tries to eradicate them right in front of our eyes and make us question our own comfortable reality.

Overall, there are many scenes that will bring you right out of your seat because they are so damn scary. The few parts with Kinderman interrogating the Gemini killer (Brad Dourif) are also very intense, and are a rare glimpse into the mind of a sick killer. One problem I had with the film is that the ending seemed a little too predictable and rushed, but in conclusion does not detract from the overall strength of the film that much. If you appreciate intelligent horror films (yes, there are some of them around), you should see this well-made film.

4/5 Easily the scariest movie of the 1990's
  by Mian Sukiman (Jakarta Indonesia)
Exorcist 3 is a sequel to the first exorcist in terms of story line and characters. But you can't compare the two as the two movies are not the same. Exorcist 3 is more like a serial killer movie and it is a very good one. Too bad this movie was a flop during its theatrical run so it never achieved the same popularity as the first Exorcist. But it is a very creepy and scary movie and suprisingly there is no gore portrayed in the movie. Check out chapter 22, I think that has the greatest jump in horror movie. The scene I am talking about only last a couple seconds but I guarantee that if you think of Exorcist 3 you will remember that particular scene. The late George C Scott gave superb performance as Detective Bill Kenderman who is puzzled as a serial killer that was executed in the electric chair 15 years ago appear to strike again. Look for cameo by Patrick Ewing and Fabio in a dream sequence. I would have given this 5 stars if only Warner has released this DVD with some extra features. This DVD has none except one theatrical trailer which I think shouldn't be considered as an extra feature. Warner has released the first Exorcist 3 times on DVD. I do hope they rerelease this with extra features. Meanwhile for [price] list price DVD this is an absolute must for horror fans.

5/5 A brilliant, truly intelligent thriller
  by Arthur S. Almquist (Tucson, AZ USA)
Nine years after its release, "Exorcist 3" remains one of the most unfairly maligned films ever made. After the disastrous "Exorcist 2: The Heretic" (which involved neither "Exorcist" director William Friedkin nor writer William Peter Blatty), Blatty created a true sequel to the original masterpiece. Brilliant, thoughtful, and character-driven, "Exorcist 3" will disappoint only those who do not have the patience to listen to beautifully-crafted dialogue and allow the film to steadily weave its web. Why did the film perform poorly at the box office? In our modern canon of horror films, we've grown accustomed to horror sequels avoiding all rational reason for existing (character development, unanswered questions, etc.) and instead being conceived from the beginning as tired re-treads designed only to make money. There's even a camp value here, and many horror sequels are considered sussesses for this: more of the same; strong opening weekend; end of story. "Exorcist 3" avoids these traps, and was ultimately punished for it. First of all, the film's original title -- "Legion" -- is the proper introduction to the film's themes. Unfortunately, the choice was made that since the more intriguing and appropriate "Legion" didn't have immediate title-recognition and probably wouldn't effectively draw audiences, the more recognizable "Exorcist 3" was chosen...against Blatty's wishes, and in spite of the fact that "Exorcist 3" wisely ignores the very existence of "The Heretic" and begins where the original ended. (One does have to wonder why the producers didn't compromise with a title like "The Exorcist: Legion.") Structurally, "Exorcist 3" also attacks our senses in a much subtler (but equally unnerving) way than seen in the furious conclusion to "The Exorcist." Don't get me wrong -- "The Exorcist" is one of my favorite films, and embodies flawless film-making from beginning to end. The fact that "Exorcist 3" is much quieter and more character-driven, however, meant that many members of the original's core audience didn't know what to make of it; in addition, the plot of "Exorcist 3" requires a working knowledge of the events surrounding the original, meaning that younger viewers who hadn't even seen the original were doomed to be lost in the film's complex plot. Again, all of this is a shame. "Exorcist 3" is not only one of the smartest horror films ever made, its considerations of the nature of faith (and the imagery which surrounds these questions) make it one of the most thoughtful. Blatty has always dealt with issues of faith in his writing, and the meditations on the subject in "Exorcist 3" are among the most profound I've seen in film. Consider the question asked of Lt. Kinderman (George C. Scott) in the film's conclusion: "Have I helped your unbelief?" In the power of the moment, we expect a certain response from Kinderman. We hear a quite different one, however, and we're momentarily puzzled -- until we consider the deeper issues of faith behind the monologue and the spiritual journey Kinderman has been on. The response then makes perfect sense, and the film would work no other way. This is great writing, given even more power by Scott's performance. Because this is a thriller, the film's thrills need to be addressed. As I said, the film is much more quietly intense than the original -- but I challenge you not to leap from your chair during the payoff of the hospital hallway scene (one shot with no edits...just slowly, steadily building tension). The craftsmanship of this scene is a wonder to behold, and has deservedly received comparisons to the scene-structure of Hitchcock.Regardless of all that I've said, I can acknowledge that the film won't be for everyone. Things don't jump out at the audience every five minutes (with the requisite music stinger to make absolutely sure we jump), and I understand that many look for that and that alone. But "Exorcist 3" is so much more, and represents the work of people who cared about where their story was headed...and why. It is a genuine classic.

4/5 Greenstate Pictures
  by Timmy Busce (Cincinnati, New York)
William Peter Blatty adapted the script for this second sequel of the Exorcist series, as he did the first. The story is very good, continuing the life of Lieutenant Kinderman and Father Dyer, after they witnessed the death of one of the exorcists in the first film. From the beginning, when the statue of Christ opens its eyes, the film is a chilling experience. It is more frightening in an atmospheric way than the first. It gives the presence of evil spirituality, a tangibility, a feeling that it has a density and dimension and is surrounding you. This exhertion can almost grant an interaction of the audience, that compells them to feel that some invisible presence has inherited the room they watch it in. The first Exorcist compelled and frightened by using straight-forward explicit imagery. Only an avid reader of Blatty's novels could fully understand the symbolism and subtlety of the dialogue. Scott was not the original Kinderman, nevertheless portrays the roll finely. As does Brad Dourif as the venemous Gemini Killer and Jason Miller as "Patient X." The film's specifically major flaw is the use of celebrity appearances such as Fabio, in a dream sequence of Kinderman. When there are first suggestions of this, one is prepared for it to be frightening to some extent, due to the boundryless potential of terror that can be incorporated in dream sequences. Yet, it is ultimatley a tryingly humorous scenario, and all fails within. The films ending is basically a re-enactment of the exorcism in the first film, and fails to produce a plot-twist, which is decidedly necessary to conclude the saga of evil patented by the Exorsist. On a technical gripe, the sound is relentlessly awkward, even in silent scenes without any background music. Ironically the sound editors of the first film won an Oscar for their work, it's safe to assume they had nothing to do with the soundtrack of this film. Overall, The Exorcist III is a very good sequel to the most horrifying film ever made. Those who find it anything less than that are comparing it too much to the predecessor.

4/5 Powerful sequel to The Exorcist
  by Wayne Klein (My Little Blue Window, USA)
Let's be honest about The Exorcist 2--it followed the wrong character. There wasn't anything all that interesting about Linda Blair's character in the original. The meat and potatos of the film was Jason Miller as Father Karras and Max Von Sydow. In this spooky and powerful sequel based on Blatty's book Legion, George C. Scott takes on the role of Detective Bill Kinderman. The film follows Scott's pursuit of the Gemini Killer (played by the always spooky Brad Dourif). The Gemini Killer was executed but there's a copycat killer on the loose. Scott's character comes to believe that it's not a copycat killer but something beyond the natural and predenatural level.

Blatty's direction is sharp and taunt. He's obviously picked up a hint or two from William Friedekin (The Exorcist, French Connection)and Robert Wise (The Haunting, The Andromeda Strain). His use of silence creates added tension in a number of sequences. Blatty uses suspense vs. gore to create a charged atmosphere that allows the tension to build. His script is intelligent and fleshes out much of what was missing in the original film and novel of The Exorcist.

Scott gives a stunning, complex performance and Jason Miller's performance captures the mixture of terror and power his character feels given his circumstances. There really isn't a weak link in this fine, underrated and largely unseen film. By all rights the DVD edition should have a director's commentary. If Scott and Miller were around they'd also provide a fine commentary on their craft. Since that isn't possible, perhaps someone will ask Campbell Scott at some point to comment on his father's strong performance in this chiller.

The Exorcist 3 (along with another film Scott appeared in called The Changling)is a perfect example of what horror films should do;' they should not shock as much as build to a number of terrifying moments. THis is a DVD well worth having and proves that sometimes a sequel can be the equal to its original.