I think that just like all sequels, this one will inevitably be compared with the original Exorcist. Frankly, I think it's actually a pretty good movie. Skaarsgard does make a pretty convincing younger version of Father Merrin, some 25 years before the events in the first Exorcist, and like Father Karras, has his own crisis of faith from his WWII days as a priest in Nazi Europe. As mentioned by others, some of the CGI effects could be better (the hyeanas, the sandstorm), but overall I did enjoy this movie and would recommend it.