Keep me away from those Exorcist steps

THE EXORCIST III (1990)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

After the debacle of "Exorcist II," no one expected anyone to make another sequel. Sure enough in 1990, Mr. Pazuzu came back minus Linda Blair, who was doing a parody of "The Exorcist" at the time called "Repossessed." William Peter Blatty was also back, this time writing and directing a direct sequel to the original based on his 1983 novel "Legion." "Exorcist III" is not bad and it is a considerable improvement over the second film, but it is still miles away from the classic original.

Lieutenant Kinderman (George C. Scott replacing the late Lee J. Cobb) is back in Georgetown investigating a series of brutal killings, and the chief suspect is the Gemini Killer (chillingly played by Brad Dourif) and his large pair of shears. Only problem is that the Gemini Killer is dead; so who's that demented cellmate at the local Georgetown jail? And why he sometimes look like Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller), who supposedly died when he fell onto the steps at the end of the original? Is Pazuzu back?

The worst is expected with a title like "Exorcist III" since everyone expects it will be full of blood and gore considering the standards set by the original and all the trashy horror films since. The truth is that there is no visible gore or blood in the entire film - we hear about graphic, gruesome depictions of mutilations but we see precious little. That was a wise move on Blatty's part, and he opts for old-fashioned scares by employing effective use of shadowy, empty rooms, ominous-looking hallways, and wind-swept churches. One scene set in long shot in a hospital corridor where an evil presence awaits is as scary and heart-stopping as anything I've ever seen.

"The Exorcist III" is hardly a great film. George C. Scott is fun to watch but he overacts to the hilt bringing little of the subtlety that Lee J. Cobb brought to the role. Too much of his character is underdeveloped, and I would have loved to have seen more scenes of his family. The film is also structured as a surreal police thriller with many plot twists and turns that don't add up too much. An unnecessary, deliberately over-the-top exorcism at its conclusion seems like a last-minute editing job to justify its title (test audiences complained originally that there was no exorcism); "Legion" would have been a better title. On the plus side, the movie is genuinely creepy and occasionally scary. Blatty still writes with panache, particularly the entertaining conversations between Kinderman and Father Dyer (played by the late Ed Flanders of "St. Elsewhere" fame, replacing O'Malley) on the value of "It's a Wonderful Life," Women's Wear Daily, and mental health. It is also wonderful (no pun intended) to see Jason Miller back, this time with green eyes and an attitude. Brad Dourif gives the most impressive performance as the demonically possessed Gemini Killer - his erudition and somber voice are amazingly chilling to behold. Watch it after midnight.