[by WSJ staff]

The thriller film “3D Priest” hits Hong Kong theaters this week. Directed by Scott Stewart, it tells the story of a priest, played by Paul Bettany, who breaks his vows to search for the vampires who kidnapped his niece. Adpated from a Korean comic book of the same name, “3D Priest” has generated mixed reviews from critics, with some fond of its 3D effects, while others more critical of the performance of the cast. Here is a sampling of what the critics have to say.

“Priest, directed by Scott Stewart, is a 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. All that corporal mortification in The Da Vinci Code was apparently not enough for Paul Bettany. He has the title role of another venomous cleric known only as Priest, who this time has been put out to pasture by the church that rules with an iron fist over what’s left of humankind.” [Ray Bennett, Hollywood Reporter]
“‘Priest’ follows the current Hollywood vogue for geek-friendly, comic-inspired genre mash-ups, chucking elements of western, horror and sci-fi into its overheated pot. It’s predictably effects-heavy, and while the CG elements are a little more solid and inventive here than in, say, ‘Sucker Punch’ or ‘Jonah Hex’, the blurry 3D transfer serves to scupper any sense of visual spectacle. Bettany is enjoyably terse in the lead role, but he never gets the chance to do any actual acting, while the likes of Brad Dourif, Christopher Plummer and Alan ‘Jim Robinson’ Dale are wasted in minor roles. All in all, it’s a painless affair, enjoyable enough while it lasts but, like its toothsome villains, destined to disintegrate in the cold light of day.” [Tom Huddleston, Time Out]
“Not 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. Paul Bettany, channeling Clint Eastwood’s Man With No Name, stars as vampire-slaying man of the cloth who goes rogue in a Steampunk-style parallel world to save a family member in peril.” [Leslie Felperin, Variety]
“There’s nothing Paul Bettany can do in Priest. Well, nothing except hurl crucifix throwing-stars at flesh-eating ghouls, ride retro-futuristic motorbikes with a warrior-cassock flapping behind him, leap into the air using falling rocks, and grimace. This is all a lot less fun than it sounds . Clawing away under its 3D dinge and slick but desensitising effects, the movie is deadly, even when it’s cool – a comic-book adaptation ruthlessly shorn of the word ‘comic’.” [Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph]

See the original post here:  http://blogs.wsj.com/hong-kong/2011/05/11/movie-opening-3d-priest/