Priest

(Scott Stewart/2011/USA)

Inspired by a Korean comic series this film version is a mash up of styles that tips the titfer to the comic straight off the bat with an introductory animation sequence that backgrounds an old war between men and vampires on a post apocalyptic earth. A war waged by assassin priests. There are the wastelands and there is the urban hell of human remnants gathered in crumbling cities. A mutated religious fervour has taken over humanity but the assassin priests have disbanded since wiping out the vampires. Cue the return of those nasty bloodsuckers! 

This film is all sheen, it looks brilliant, but it makes no sense at times, there are apparently no priests left but 4 can be found at the drop of a hat to take up the gauntlet of the plot for example? It’s definitely a switch off the brain affair and is thoroughly enjoyable as spectacle once you’ve done so. The wasteland is the Wild West and the main baddie hams up the Clint Eastwood schtick. The action is terrific and fast paced particularly the sequence from the reservation via the hive guardian to the village with the train and bike scene referencing Mad Max and the Matrix. It’s style over substance but very watchable style all the same.

(2.5/5)