The Order is one of those films that looks as if it would be harder to get wrong than right. But get it wrong they did. A conflicted priest takes on demons in order to find redemption for his own tortured soul - it worked for The Exorcist, right? I found it hard to follow and read around to see what I was missing. Those of a religious persuasion point out the basic theological plot holes, though you don't have to be a former altar boy like myself to see there is nothing priestly about Father Thomas and his rages and vengeful spirit, not unless you think Father Ted is a documentary. The fans of the film all write that we should look deeper, study our symbolism, read our Gospels, learn Armamaic blah blah blah - nobody seems to say in detail or articulately WHAT it is that makes this film good. They merely point out that if you don't like it you are 'missing' something, but they won't tell us what it is.
Well, I'm not convinced. I'm not convinced by them, or the film. The demons aren't scary. Their blow-dart attack on Father Thomas is a mere convenience to get him out of the way so the story (?) can focus on Alex. Mara's ambitions are never made clear, and her lack of character development flags her as the sacrificial lamb. Ditto Peter Weller as the bad guy (the writer/director also wrote LA Confidential - time to get a better surprise ending than "my BOSS did it!?"). The method of Alex's 'revenge' at the end is also tediously predictable. No scares, no thrills, no meddling with theology that Dan Brown will lose any sleep over. This film is an incoherent yawnfest.
Well, I'm not convinced. I'm not convinced by them, or the film. The demons aren't scary. Their blow-dart attack on Father Thomas is a mere convenience to get him out of the way so the story (?) can focus on Alex. Mara's ambitions are never made clear, and her lack of character development flags her as the sacrificial lamb. Ditto Peter Weller as the bad guy (the writer/director also wrote LA Confidential - time to get a better surprise ending than "my BOSS did it!?"). The method of Alex's 'revenge' at the end is also tediously predictable. No scares, no thrills, no meddling with theology that Dan Brown will lose any sleep over. This film is an incoherent yawnfest.