Set in an alternate reality where humans and vampires have been at loggerheads for many generations. The human side has emerged victorious due to the rise of the warrior priests, martial arts experts and general super beings. These warriors decimated the vampire hordes years ago and are now laid out to pasture as relics of the past; whilst the rest of humanity remains huddled in dark, industrial, techno-like cities governed by a totalitarian Church that seeks to maintain an iron grip on all that is. One of these warrior priests is brought out of retirement when his niece is mysteriously abducted out in the desert wastelands. What the priest discovers will shatter not only his own world but the Church's too.

Priest was a pleasant surprise, expecting another trendy stylised vampire flick it was everything I expected... Plus more. Whilst yes it has that same visual style as say The Underworld movies ie: dark, dingy, filthy, morbid, etc, etc. Where it comes to life is in its storyline.

Technologically advanced, spiritually based assassins that hunt vampires in an alternate universe is not the kind of scenario you see everyday in movies, so i'll give them points straight off the bat for originality. In terms of believability however, nah, it's not fooling anybody but if you can get down with the premise of the whole thing then your in for a sweet rollercoaster that delivers some nice twists as it goes along.

The general acting quality is OK with Paul Bettany leading the cast as the movies main anchor simply known as Priest. He's a character with his own demons, memories that haunt him and they will come back to haunt him in a very real way as the movie will show. The main bad guy played by Karl Urban is known simply as Black Hat (really innovative naming in this movie) I kinda liked this guy even though he's fairly one dimensional. He reminded me of Tim Thomerson's character in Live Evil, except obviously a lot nastier.

This is an A-grade Hollywood blockbuster so it comes with the requisite big budget and thus is a bit of a special effects extravaganza (apparently it had a $60m budget). Vampires are popular at the moment as we all know so I guess they feel these kind of movies justify that kind of expenditure. Regardless of the financing however, Priest is a decent movie, even if a bit 'glossy' for my liking but I won't hold that against it. Definitely one of the better Hollywood flicks i've seen of late, though beware it's not very scary and nor is it that gory. It's more action orientated. So best perhaps to rent before you buy but just makes sure you do. Recommended.