The Passion of the Christ (Widescreen Edition)

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece of religious art - simply unforgettable
Review: If you've been living under a rock for the past, oh, year or so, I might as well inform you that the most controversial movie in years has been released into theaters. And this isn't Bernardo Bertolucci controversy; this isn't even D.W. Griffith controversy; this is first-rate, full-blown religious controversy, and it's done nothing but cling to every mention of director Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. Turn on the television and they're talking about it, get in any gathering of people and it comes up, open any entertainment magazine and it's front-page news. But now it's February 25, Ash Wednesday nearly two-thousand years after the event depicted in the film occurred, and the movie has hit screens. I had the opportunity to see the film earlier this evening and see how all the criticism and controversy I've heard and read stands up. Well, as you'll read, that unjust criticism of anti-semitism, too-graphic violence, and spiritual insignificance tumbles like a man beneath a cross, and Gibson's ferocious, passionate film triumphs like the Savior from a tomb. In this review, I'll try not to give away why Gibson's film is set apart from other run-of-the-mill Biblical films; you can see it for yourself. But I do want to convey why The Passion ranks as one of the most important cinematic experiences I have ever had.

Like any great epic, the first thing that stands out is how visually striking the movie is, and The Passion of the Christ is no exception. The camera trails gently through the garden, and we see Jesus. Except, this is not the mechanical, puppeteer Jesus of so many other passion plays this is a man who knows what lies before him. A man who knows the kind of responsibility he has. A man who, despite being scared out of his mind, knows that he can take the challenge. Jesus, played with grace and utter devotion by Jim Caviezel, is the human that many other narratives seem to leave out. I found myself amazed at Gibson's choice to show not doubt, but simply fear - something that would come to any man who had to endure what Jesus does in the next two hours of the film.

The scenes in which Jesus is brought before the high priest Caiaphus have brought accusations of anti-semitism to the film, but anti-semitism was the last thing that came to my mind as various people stood before Him and ranted that He was nothing more than a crazy blasphemer that encouraged the drinking of His blood and the disobedience of Jewish customs. Well, to the leaders of the Jewish faith, that's what Jesus was - He was a man who went against their establishment and they found nothing more suitable than to have his life taken for it. In placid flashbacks that gorgeously contrast with the escalating violence of the proceedings, we see Jesus encouraging his disciples to love one another and even hate those that persecute them. That went against the teachings of the Pharisees, but it certainly has made the world a better place today. Gibson's film separates Jew-hating from people-loving, the notion that the film truly embraces.

Not much time is wasted before the film launches into some of the most stomach-churning, brutal violence ever committed to mainstream cinema. In a brutal scourging sequence, we see pieces of Jesus' skin flayed off as multiple Roman soldiers pound him to within an inch of his life. The long, arduous trek to Golgotha features lashes with whips among other forms of physical torture. Before seeing the film, I was worried that accusations that the violence detracts from the film's spiritual meaning would ring true. It doesn't - the suffering of Christ depicted in the film produces not a feeling of pointless blood-spattering, but divine sacrifice. Jesus is shown as a man who was sent to spread a message of love and redemption, and Gibson's movie rightfully asserts that in order for it to all come to fruition, He had to endure this. But that is not to say that this movie is meant for any person, young or old. The violence is tolerable, but at times - barely.

Any doubts about Gibson's intentions on making this film are dispelled in the climactic scene of the film in which Jesus has his hands and feet nailed to the cross on which he eventually dies. This disturbing-but-earthshakingly-powerful scene ranks among the most powerful I have ever witnessed in the cinema. The brutal nailing to the cross and presentation before the crowd represents the pinnacle of Christianity, the moment at which the weight of the world falls on one man's shoulders. And you feel it. At the movie's normal moments, it is accurate and engrossing. At moments like this, it's so powerful it's hard to look.

I, too, probably like every other critic on the face of the earth, walked into the movie expecting to find gaping flaws, excessive use of an artistic license, and too-graphic violence, but getting up from my seat at the end of the immensely moving film, I could only think of...well, how much crap all of those critics are full of. Forget about what you've read - the violence is not repugnant, it serves a purpose; the film is not anti-semitic, it is accurate; the movie is not a publicity stunt, but a deeply-felt expression of one man's passion about one man's sacrifice. From the opening moments of The Passion, Gibson's film is a visually gorgeous, deeply emotional, and accurate rendering of the single most important event in the history of man. The film's brutal, violently moving climax elevates it to a standard of excellence that Gibson has never before achieved, and not only do I approve immensely of it, but I think that it is a landmark in religious art and a movie not soon to be forgotten. I'm trying to not use the word 'masterpiece' so much anymore, but I'm pulling it out of retirement for this movie. GRADE: A

Rating:
Summary: With the hype machine dead and gone. Passion still holds up.
Review: Its been a few months since I went to see The Passion of the Christ twice in theatre. Both times I was moved to tears and both times I witnessed the brilliant direction of veteran director Mel Gibson. I wonder, where are the riots that Jewish leaders claimed would occur? Where was the rampant anti-semitic acts that were to happen because of the this simple little film? As far as the papers were concerned, the sky was supposed to fall after this movies release. Instead a wave of love spread through out our nation. People from all walks of life were brought together by this film to celebrate their faith and witness the raw and inspiriring portrayal of the life and death of Jesus Christ. Christians everywhere were supposed to suddenly hate the Jews after watching this movie, instead something else happened. Christians everywhere showed their intelligence and good will and understood that this film had NO such message. All of that talk and concern, over nothing, all it did was take away from the REAL story about this movie. The story of a God that loved man enough to sacrifice himself for us. Come Oscar time, we will see how Hollywood treats this masterpiece. Will politics get in the way of truly rewarding the best film of 2004? Only time will tell.

Rating:
Summary: Two birds with one stone.
Review: The combination of Jesus being most Americans favorite fantasy (he is still alive) and EXTREME violence makes this movie a dream come true.

Rating:
Summary: One man's truth is another man's lie
Review: The Passion of Jesus Christ, a film I fear with a PASSION and it does not matter how many times I watch it, I just can't shake off my unease about this film, even more so now that it is so widely available on DVD.

Mel Gibson did a grand even amazing job overall, glorious scenery, great actors, costumes to make your eyes boggle, an amazing musical score, subtitles, unheard of in a mega-blockbuster, enough blood and gore even for the most fanatical lover of blood and guts, along with a haunting, dramatic look into the violent final hours of the life of Jesus Christ.

Now why do I fear this film? I fear it is because it is straining to be something that it is not. And that something I am writing about is called the truth as we perceive it.

Now I myself don't know what the real truth, especially when it comes to the evocative subject of religion but then also neither does Mel Gibson have the answer either and sometimes some people can take poetic licence in a realm it was never meant to go.

I will confess to once being a great fan of Mel Gibson, now however his very name makes me want to hurl chunks, and all because he said to the world albeit in a very quiet voice, "my father has never lied to me."

His father is known to be a Holocaust denier, and so I do not think for one moment that Mr Gibson Junior can even begin to make a film about the death of Jesus Christ that is naturally unbiased to all concerned.

Unfortunately he has made the film but in making The Passion of Jesus Christ the Director in my opinion needed to be TOTALLY indifferent to Christianity/Judaism/Islam so that the interpretation, and the WORD interpretation is VERY important here, of those final hours could be neutral in the extreme.

Mr Gibson however is an ardent Catholic so that throws being even remotely neutral right of the proverbial window!

The Bible may be the truth for many people, and for that I that I have the greatest of respect but look how many ways that one book is interpreted all over the world?

In a time when we need movies like this to bring us together in a multi-faith environment, The Passion of Jesus Christ only pushes us further a part and this is another reason why I fear this film.

A great tragedy and even greater one if Mr Gibson attempts to make a sequel, which of course would be called The Resurrection of Jesus Christ wouldn't it?

Rating:
Summary: " A compelling an emotional materpiece"
Review: The Passion of the Christ is by far the most compelling Jesus movie to date. The Passion of the Christ is a very emotional film that had the entire audience in tears. The extremely vivid and graphic violence only added to the amount of interest in the film. The Passion was hard to watch at times but in the end a great picture worth seeing several times. The popularity of this film is well earned. The acting was extremely believable and well done; it truly felt like this event was really taking place right in front of my eyes. I can't imagine anyone disliking such a well-scripted and well directed film.
The dialogue was excellently mastered and presented. Mel Gibson truly out did himself and this is an outstanding must-see. The graphic violence was heavy yet not too heavy; those who have a weak stomach should avoid The Passion of the Christ. I can't figure out why some people gave this film such horrible reviews; you have to remember that the majority of people highly enjoyed The Passion of the Christ. After seeing it I couldn't stop thinking about it. I saw this film over a week ago and it is still fresh in my mind. Very powerful stuff that I highly recommend everyone views.

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Summary: What's the real controversy?
Review: The reaction of the moviegoers at the theater when I saw it was, I'm told, typical of many others. Some scattered weeping during the most painful moments and stunned silence at the end of the film by the entire audience.

The idea of actors speaking Aramaic, Hebrew and Latin is brilliant. It increases the illusion of actually being there.

(Remember when all WW2 films had Germans and Japanese speaking English?)

The fact that the leading actors are good but unknown also adds to the illusion of reality, as does the lack of blondness among Jesus and the apostles.

(By way of contrast, one of John Wayne's most embarassing moments was playing the Centurion drawling out the line: 'Truly this was. . .the Son. . . of God' in "The Greatest Story Ever Told" , with Max (I was a Swedish Jesus) Von Sydow as Christ.

Gibson takes you back in a time capsule. The cinematography is superb.

The film is disturbing in that it's a traditional passion play and as such pulls no punches when it comes to the 'Stations of The Cross'--it's blood and gore. As well it should be. To quote Roman Polansky, 'If violence does not upset the audience, then it's merely obscene.'

This one REALLY upsets.

Since we've all heard over and over Jesus was crucified, we seem to have gotten blase with repetition. Much like a surgeon at the sight of blood. Gibson goes out of his way to jolt the audience out of complacency.

The theme, as in all passion plays, is 'Look , this is how much God loved you, that He would suffer, etc. etc.'

Criticisms that the characters are not fleshed out enough are off base. This is 'The Passion' i.e; the last hours of the willing sacrifice of Jesus. It's got to be compact--or to get techniqual, conform to the Aristotelean unity of time. There are flashbacks thrown in, but to keep the focus on the theme you can't have Jesus patting children on the head or healing the sick for half the movie, it wouldn't work.

The film is NOT anti-semitic ( Unless you define anti-semitism as a breakaway Jewish sect, which if true, would invalidate the tenets of mainstream Judaism. i.e; Christianity ) Like Rabbi Lapin I am unsure as to be appalled or merely amused at the attacks against this film by some of the leaders of the Jewish community before the film even came out.

...>No, folks, "The Passion" is not Anti-Semitic, it's Anti-Hollywood.

It took 15 years for a star of Mel Gibson's clout to find a distributor! The others just didn't think it would make any money. After all there are no teenage leads, no hit men as protagonists, no gratuitous nudity for those of us who can't get any, and worst of all it's 'religious'-- which Hollywood equates with 'cornball' and box office death.

It would seem that the power brokers in town are way out of touch with the public. And this, boys and girls is the real controversy.

Rating:
Summary: "They shall look upon him whom they have pierced"...
Review: The verse is from Gospel of John(John 19:37).
The entendres are multiple and powerful as resonated throughout an electrifying film produced,written and directed by Catholic Christian,Mel Gibson. St.John[ young, hero-worshiping disciple...only Apostle to stand with Blessed Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene at the foot of the Cross after marching Via Dolorosa to the Crucifixion site of Calvary]is witness to the historical brutality of the unique REDEMPTIVE ACT Gibson brings to the screen.Yet the Spear Roman Legionary Longinus thrust into Jesus' side to ascertain death(and obviate breaking the condemned Christ's legs in fulfillment of Scripture)is only "incidently" cause of what ultimately pierced and killed the Son of God. Mankind's SIN[actual,willful defiance of God] required--according to fundamental tenets of Chrisitan faith and theology--ATONEMENT. Atonement...because of the infinite magnitude of offense against THE HOLY...could only be accomplished by sacrificial immolation of THE LOGOS; the Second Hypostasis of the divinely revealed TRIUNE GODHEAD,incarnated into history as Jesus of Nazareth.To uninformed...or deliberately malicious...critics who misconstrue the nature of Gibson's telling of THE PASSION(Christ's Suffering)it is impossible to emphasize enough: SIN[not political machinations of a Jewish elite; nor LAW & ORDER iron rod Necessity of SPQR]killed THE CHRIST. "By His wounds...we are healed."

As drama, the central cast of James Caviezel as Jesus;Maia Morgenstern as Mother Mary; Monica Belluci as Mary Magdalene and Hristo Jivkov as Apostle John are exemplarly excellent in their humanity and ICONIC in their roles of heroes in the History of Salvation. Franceco De Vito(Peter),and Luca Lionello(Judas) present powerful portraits of men initiated by Christ to serve, yet fail and betray: the former,to seek forgiveness--and find honor in repentance; the latter,to sink in despair and become history's synonym for treachery. Maia Morgenstern is singularly magnificent as Christ's mother. The actress conveys regal dignity and strength(second only to the Lord's in Courage and humble submission to Divine Will)that ILLUMINATES the PASSION until the final moment of victory in THE RESURRECTION. This film is not entertainment. Nor,as many most hostile to the Christian message affect, gratuitously violent.It is,as the Christian philosopher Soren Kierkegaard might have said "in fear and trembling",an edifying cinematic discourse expressed in images and icons a Politically Correct world might understand. The Lord died to overcome evil of SIN(and damning,death-bringing guilt men incurred in consequence);not"inappropriate behavior".This is made clear in Rosalinda Celentano's fascinating(as glamour of wickedness often is),rife with menace and mockery,portrayal of SATAN. Again and again, Gibson's hermaphoditic personification of hatred of God,and mankind's arch foe challenges the Lord's love of men with self-love and self-apotheosis. "You become what you love," St. Augustine of Hippo would assert approximately 400 years after Jesus'death and Resurrection. "GREATER LOVE hath no Man than this: that a Man lay down his life for his friends". Ultimately, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST is about LOVE: God's cosmic love for his precious wounded sons and daughters. Mel Gibson's film is epic telling of this epic blood-ridden LOVE STORY. GOD'S love and forgiveness were re-won at incredible cost. If Director Mel Gibson's masterpiece can...again...stir GRATITUDE among the people "who are called by(HIS)name",it will be success beyond measure that even The Lord Himself may bless in approval...AMGD (10 stars)

Rating:
Summary: A Christ for "our times"
Review: This is the most publicized version of all the motion pictures that portray Jesus. In this case, "the crucifixtion". The media, through commentary and reviews, have exhausted the headlines. Critics have traversed from a "devout rendition" to a "magnanimous publicity stunt", with Mr. Gibson taking it head on.
It is a tremendous film and an absolute "must see". Yes, it is violent. Years ago, in a film showing Christ, we never saw His face. Then it was a young and energetic Jeffrey Hunter. A mature and intense Max von Sydow. And so on. Now Mel Gibson gives us Jim Caviezel as a bloody and suffering man or Messiah. The choice is yours as you view this film. But this contemporary portrait is a sign of our times. Perhaps a retrospective on what we have become.
The production with its originality of concept works well. You would'nt think a film with no english dialogue could hold your attention. A cast of relatively unknown actors do a superb job. The soundtrack is both eerie and penetrating. Elements of violence are not arbitrary but well thought out.
The film is edited for a trim 2 hours and should be seen by both "believer" and "non-believer". Just so you can form your own opinion, because that's the only one that counts.

Rating:
Summary: This movie is awesome!
Review: This movie was the best movie ever made, im a 16 year old catholic and i dont go much to church but i felt everything that jesus went through deep inside of me. Some people might not like the movie but thats their problem, God knows what evil spirit was toying with their mind. This movie was very well directed and left me speechless in the theatre. Mel Gibson is an awesome actor and he has now proven to be an awesome director also! Much love to all my peeps in the Bx baby~peace