The Passion of Christ

by **Tyrel** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 11:08 pm

Well, what can you tell about a movie that leaves you speechless? That is the profound question I've asked myself when others asked how the movie was. I could not honestly give them an answer. I could not tell my friends if I liked it or not and if it was for them or not. Honestly, coming out of that theatre last week, I was in a state of shock. Here's why.

Coming into this movie, my head was loaded with editorials and reviews claming anti-semeticism and such, but, being an atheist for the better part of the last decade, I could not care less. The concept of organized religion, to me at least, is a thing of the past. But that's not here nor there. What I am trying to get to is that I came into that theatre completely neutral to all sides of the movie, be it Jews, Christians or Romans.

First off, the movie is extremely graphic and often times terribly accurate. The lengthy scenes of torture performed on Christ were detailed, long and agonizing to the religious folk in the theatre. In fact, I counted over a dozen people walk up and leave during one of the many torture scenes in the movie. I heard sobs from a few rows down as well, all of which should be expected with this type of movie.

That being said, I can honestly say (again, let me remind you that I am without a religion) that this was one of the best movies I have ever seen. Mel Gibson is a genius when it comes to directing. The locations, actors and costums were splendid and accurate for the time. One aspect of the film that I especially enjoyed was how Gibson portrayed the Devil. The long, cold, pale face was creepy and appropriate for this role. The few scenes that involve the Devil in them are excellent and well executed.

However, I have only two rants about this movie. One, how Gibson portrayed Pontius Pilate as almost saint like. The Bible says that he was a cruel man, like a bully but in the movie he is compassionate and caring. Perhaps a bit historically innacurate. Also, the way Gibson portrayed King Herod was a bit curious. Who knew Herod was a wig-wearing drama queen?

The entire movie is spoken in three different languages of which two aren't spoken today. Latin, Hebrew and Aramaic are present in the movie with subtitles to guide you. This might scare some people off, but trust me, you will be so into the movie that by the second scene, you won't notice that you're reading subtitles. And besides, 3/4 of the movie is actions, not words, so you won't be lost in these forgotten languages.

To conclude, this movie is absolutely fantastic in every aspect possible. To me, in ranks right up there with such masterpieces as "Apocalypse Now", "American Beauty", "Saving Private Ryan" and "Gladiator". The ending of the movie is spectacular and leaves you in a state of total shock.

Final review: You have to see this movie. Do not listen to what the people screaming anti-semeticism are saying, judge for yourself. Definitely one of the best movies ever made, period. 10/10.

by **Ralph Wiggum** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 12:26 am

I am waiting for the hype to die down and then I am going to see what all the hype was about.

by **shockwave203** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 12:30 am

I've gotta goto this movie. I'm not religious, but the hype surrounding the passion makes this movie a must see

by **GearedUp** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 12:41 am

I went with my wife to see this movie Friday Night. Never been to anything like it, it was more of an experience than just a movie.

by **1111111111111** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 1:21 am

I don't know why everyone loved this movie.
I think Mel's stupitidy came through loud and clear here's why:

All the wounderful things Jesus was supposed to have done, this movie is 2 hours of Jesus getting beaten. The only dialog in it was in regards to the tribe asking for permission to crucifiy Jesus. The only miracle Jesus performs was in the beginning, and it sucked (he reattached someones ear).

Honestly its like Mel said to himself, "how can i make an action movie out of jesus's life, well if we throw out all the wonderful things he did, and focus on the last few hours of his life, we'll have an action movie."

I'm not religious, and even I can see that this movie is an injustice to Jesus. Of all the wonderful things he's supposed to have done the movie portrays him as a dude that gets the shit beaten out of him until he dies. He gets captured, beaten, beaten some more, they ask him if he's a king, beat him somemore, take him to ask for permission to kill him, beat him somemore, give him a cross to carry up the hill, beat him the whole way (40)minutes.

Come on now, jesus was supposed to be so much more than that. You think a 2 hour movie that's 1 hour 45 minutes of Jesus getting beaten and at most 15 minutes of dialog is a fair representation of his life???

by **shockwave203** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 1:32 am

yea but that's what actually happened to Jesus. Gibson had the guts to show what happened, and not cherry coat it to please people.

Did you watch him on TV when he was interviewed about this movie? The dude is totally religous, he didn't make this movie so it could be an action flick.

by **PudriK** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 1:40 am

1(x13), you present a fair analysis of content, but you miss the point. Traditionally, the story of the passion focuses only on Jesus' last hours on earth. Passion plays, the stations of the cross, etc, incl. The Passion movie are not intended to be a recounting of Jesus' life or teachings, but a reminder of his suffering and death for our sins.

So to criticize it for not doing so is to misunderstand the scope of the story--it focuses intently on one part of the story instead of trying to squeeze the whole story into two hours. It would be like asking a movie about D-day to include all the history of the war up to that point. And in this case, especially, I think the writers wrote it with the idea that the majority of their audience was already informed of the back story.

Also, I would add that it is much easier to focus on these specific events without having to make too many theological assumptions... A movie about Christ's life and teachings is more open for interpretation by the screenwriters... for proof, see "The Last Tempatation of Christ."

PS Although, for a movie that was supposed to be an accurate recounting of the Gospels, I don't remember the devil being featured in those scenes, or the crow, or the bit about Pilate's wife...

by **GearedUp** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 1:53 am

Originally posted by 1111111111111

I'm not religious, and even I can see that this movie is an injustice to Jesus. Of all the wonderful things he's supposed to have done the movie portrays him as a dude that gets the shit beaten out of him until he dies.

The greatest miracle, I mean the reason JESUS came was so, HE could lay HIS life down and pay a price we couldn't pay and with HIS resurrection and our repentance we can be raised and become new in right standing with GOD.

IMO, that's exactly what the movie portrayed, the love of CHRIST.

by **1111111111111** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 3:39 am

I see what you guys are saying.
I just wish I had known it was going to be about the last 12 hours of his life before I had seen it. Then I'd have no complaints.

by **cashcow** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 6:45 am

Originally posted by Tyrel
Final review: You have to see this movie. Do not listen to what the people screaming anti-semeticism are saying, judge for yourself. Definitely one of the best movies ever made, period. 10/10.

Am I the only one who thinks that there is NOBODY (or very few people) "screaming anti-semetism"? Personally, I just think that Gibson is abusing one of the messages his movie could convey, and using it to gain immense popularity. It seems to have worked.

Not to insult the movie of course, I haven't seen it yet.

by **CozMoDan** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 9:25 am

I agree Pudrik, there were several things in the movie that are not accurate at all and are not in the Bible. SO remember that this is based on fact. like many movies, but not completely accurate and for me it is just a movie.

by **SavageParrot** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 9:58 am

Originally posted by Tyrel
.

Mel Gibson is a genius

Words I never thought I would hear, doesn't anybody remember 'The Patriot' ?

by **-HaVoC-** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 10:03 am

People are stating the movie is based on fact by comparing it to what? The Bible? What version of the Bible? Do you consider the Bible to be fact?

Now I have my own beliefs. I simply find it funny when people state it was based on fact. The fact the bible may be non-fiction is pure speculation or shall we say faith.

So in the case of this movie I would say it's based on Mel Gibsons faith and interpretation of a story, not in facts.

by **SavageParrot** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 10:09 am

Explain to me the story of the flood without it sounding ridiculous and maybe I'll start taking the bible seriously as an historical work, don't think so but there's always a chance.

by **Agent-Commando** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 10:50 am

Originally posted by GearedUp
The greatest miracle, I mean the reason JESUS came was so, HE could lay HIS life down and pay a price we couldn't pay and with HIS resurrection and our repentance we can be raised and become new in right standing with GOD.

IMO, that's exactly what the movie portrayed, the love of CHRIST.

Amen brotha!

I went to see it with my church, all 200 of us. 110 adults older than 25 years old, and 90 of the youth group 24 and under where I fit in. We wanted more tickets but AMC was sold out for that particular day we went to see it.

We belong to a non-denominational Christian church in case for those who are wondering.

Most of us left the theatre with teary eyed, my faith is really strong and I truly believed Jesus did die so that I may live. I did cry in the movie, so did everyone else.

This movie is precisely what the world needs right now as a message of peace and love.

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