Overrated, bit over the top, but still a decent movie.

Rating: Null/10 (18 July 2001)

The exorcist has horrible connotations - people running from cinemas, various members of the cast and crew going mad - but to be honest, if you strip away all the hype then you're left with a pretty good movie with some over the top bits. It's still far better than all the supposedly "scary" horror movies of late (i.e. Scream, I know what you did last summer, etc...), and it is certainly one of the most frightening films of that period (even better than The Omen).
However, there are a few bits that had me sniggering into my popcorn - for instance, the catholic religion is presented in the movie as being very much like some kind of organised crime outfit (maybe it is like that, I wouldn't know as I'm not a catholic :) and some of the things that the preists do are slightly laughable (like the whole "The Power of Christ compels you!" scene).
The movie has many genuinely scary and disgusting moments, for instance the whole "vaginal crucifix insertion" part, which somewhat nauseated me when I first saw it. Also, the voice of the devil is more or less spot on, being inhuman, scary and yet somehow mocking at the same time. It'll stay with you for ages.
I disagree with the people who say that it mocks the catholic religion - If anything, it encourages it - saying that the devil and christ really do exist. I also disagree that it could encourage many people to come back to religion, as I beleive that if you can come back to religion after only watching a movie then I think it's time to re-evaluate what you beleive.
But, at the end of the day, we're left with a good film that is great for watching at night time with a couple of friends and some beer.
I give it 6.5/10.