before i start this review, let me say two things: 1) i think that PG-13 and horror movies DO NOT MIX.... horror, since the dawn of cinema, has been designed to scare, shock, and horrify the viewer.... how can you do that when you're limited by what you can show or say....? there are very few examples of horror movies that have overcome that obstacle, but it takes a lot to do it.... 2) Eli Roth produced this movie.... he didn't write it, direct it or star in it.... and i have the utmost respect for him.... i've said that he's one of the few writers and directors in Hollywood that might save horror, but after seeing this.... i'm a little let down.... i was hoping he'd produce something that held up to his standards.... that being said....'The Exorcist' set the bar so high, that no one since it has topped it.... it's the standard for what a scary film should be.... it makes a lot of people's top 10 scariest films list.... it showed exorcism's in a way that hasn't lost its punch since it came out in 1973.... and i've seen several movies that have tried to be like it.... all of them have fallen short.... so that brings us to this movie, 'The Last Exorcism'.... it looked promising, it had a credible producer.... how could it fail....? now, when i started it, i was sucked right into the plot.... i wanted to see how the story played itself out.... sadly, it couldn't keep up with what it promised in the beginning.... it just wasn't going to happen.... there was one thing that stood out in this movie, Ashley Bell, the star.... she played the character of Nell with amazing reality.... i bought into it: hook, line, and sinker.... and i also give credit to Daniel Stamm, the director.... he did the best with what he had.... 
this movie is carrying on the trend of a documentary style of filmaking.... although this one is obviously shot on 35 mm.... it tells the story of a supposed exorcist who travels to do his final exorcism on a girl named Nell.... what, at first, seems to be a simple case of a girl with mental issues, quickly descends into something deeper and more evil.... things play themselves out in such a way that you don't see the ending coming.... granted, it keeps you interested the whole time.... but the ending just does not hold up.... it builds to a fever pitch and then the kettle just sputters out and never whistles.... it's ambiguous.... it's slightly unclear.... it is a bit of a poor explanation of all the events that took place earlier in the movie.... it just feels like someone pulled the rug out from under you, just when you got up to go to the bathroom.... ah well.... at least i don't have to watch it again....
to Eli Roth: please make another film on your own.... i know you like acting, but try and do both.... we could use some 'R' rated horror right now....
and to the rest of you.... i gave this movie 3 out of 5 stars.... i felt that Ashley Bell's performance was so good that it deserved some credit.... and if you decide to watch this, watch about 30 - 45 minutes of it and then turn it off.... write the ending however you'd like it.... the ending just doesn't matter.... i'm glad this was the last exorcism, i don't think i could handle a sequel.
rather than watch any other exorcism movie, watch 'The Exorcist' again
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