"Priest" Movie Review

I saw a list for some awesome sci-fi and fantasy movies coming out this summer. The more recently released ones I am working through -- ones like "Thor" and "Priest". Now, I love Paul Bettany and was really looking forward to this movie knowing that it would be questionable at best. I mean, the previews hinted at a Matrix+Blade combo.

Let me just say that I rather enjoyed this movie and this is why:

The movie turned into a great drinking game idea. Each time the movie strongly reminded me of another movie, I drink. Which movies was I reminded of? Let me tell you. (I love lists)

Lord of the Rings - Brad Dourif + Karl Urban + a cave troll = unmistakable connections

Batman Begins - Bats and batmobiles

V for Vendetta - There were orchestrated explosions and Karl Urban might as well have been V. The society and structure of government is also similar.

Pitch Black - Might actually be the same movie only some people can survive the sun.

Pirates of the Caribbean - The scene where Elizabeth is captured by Captain Barbosa and treated to a feast. That scene was almost exactly duplicated. Lucy even takes and conceals the knife from the table.

I Am Legend - The vampires look quite similar. Similar concepts too, an infection like a disease.

Wild Wild West - This definitely might be considered a modern day sci-fi western.

Planet of the Apes - Turns out this movie is totally futuristic with all our cities destroyed, so this is like a post apocalyptic world only instead of apes, there are vampires.

The Book of Eli - There must be a trend with movies with a strong religious connotation. Both of these movies are post-apocalyptic.

Aliens - ...Except take the aliens and make them vampires and instead of another planet, make it the future.

Underworld - Actually, this might be a sequel -- a super futuristic sequel where the lycans are dead.

Let me just be clear, I really enjoyed all the movies I just listed so this was like a mediocre version of the combination of them all. It was entertaining and I wouldn't mind seeing it again -- but not in theaters.

I wish they had further explored the sacrifice required of Paul Bettany's character to become a Priest as well as what it took to become a Priest. Maybe if they had spent less time wandering around caves and more time exploring the story the move itself would have done better. Also, it was a little presumptuous to leave it wide open for a sequel assuming it would rock the box office.