The Passion Of The Christ

[Pozer]

I just got back from it. I agree with Ebert, and would also give it four stars. It's not perfect, but its flaws are no more greivous than those in Last Temptation, which I also love.

Maybe I have deeper resources of lapsed Catholicism than I thought I did, because I was consistently moved to the point of tears. It's wrenching. The violence was gratuitious, but I think it was just. Whether or not you believe that Jesus is anything more than a man, I think it's impossible not to feel compassion for this portrayal of him. I guess it could be argued that Gibson, by using such extreme violence, is goading viewers to compassion, but I didn't feel that. I think the violence is valuabe because it's going to remind people just what that symbol is hanging on their wall...the crucifix has become such a bland image that the reinforcement gere of what it actually was is something that I think will be very positive.

Furthermore, if Gibson's intent was simply to revel in the gore, he wouldn't have cut away to Mary's reaction for a good portion of the scourging. The character of Mary is one of my favorite aspects of the film; her portrayal in Scorsese's film (and in Kazaantzakis novel) was one  of my big problems with it, and here I feel her character is delved into more fully, and the impact her son's torture and death has on her is accurately portrayed. One of the things I like about Catholicism is the maternal aspect of it, and that is portrayed well here.

Overall, the film is very well made, very poetic; the intercutting of the arrival in Jersualem and the last supper with the crucifixion is extremely well done. I had a lot of problems with some of the slow-mo and ramping effects used at the beginning scenes, but I think they would have been less objectionable had the film not been subtitled -- the lack of understandable dialogue would have been negated by the emphatic camare work (overall, I'm glad it was subtitled, because every now and then there's a line that deserves to be understood; but there are lots scenes that don't have them, and I think they could have gotten away with using them even less). Likewise, there are some scenes that could have used a little less dramatic score (particularly the destruction of the temple).

The demonic elements, which I wasn't aware of, aside from the nicely done androgynous incaranation of Satan, are mostly very interesting/frightening (especially one that seems like something out of a David Lynch movie), although the final shot of Satan in the film was pointless and distracting.

The anti-semtisim -- well, either you see it or you don't. As has been said in other reviews, it's no more anti-semitic than the bible. What I'm surprised no one has mentioned is the brief scene involving Herod, where he's portrayed as prancing, overtly fey ruler; if it was anyone but Gibson making the movie, it might be ignored (there's a similar character in Gladiator that I never heard any furor over), but in this case I doubt it would be. The scene was largely unnecessary, anyway. The MOST offensive thing about the movie was the Garfield trailer they showed before it.

Also, the message of love -- love your enemies, etc, which is a beautiful one and one of the great things about what Jesus taught -- is conveyed excellently during the Last Supper; a few minutes later, during the crucifixion, one of the thieves dying at Jesus' side laughs at him and promptly has his eyeball plucked out by a crow. It's a cheap, pointless moment. These two moments blatantly contradict each other, and are an excellent microcosm of almost every problem there is with Christianity.

But still, I think it's a work of art, an important film, and not necessarily as volatile as it's going to be made out to be. It's also going to make a lot of money...I don't the violence is going to detract devoutly religious people from going back to see it again, because it's so emotional.

Obviously, if you've reading this thread,  I've been hoping that it would be a good film. I'm interested to see what Godardian and JB and those of you not looking forward to it think. Also, I'm really interested in what Scorsese thinks of it, if he goes to see it, which I imagine he will.

Great Review!
Now I'm even more excited to see this tonight.
Thank you.

[Chest Rockwell]

God I feel so, so, so shitty having to wait till the fucking weekend to see this.

[Henry Hill]

yeah ghostboy thanks! i got a little overly excited when i said mel is a master of his craft. sure he has only made one film...but i think it was a great film. i suppose if he keeps on the same track, his director filmography will be awesome. i am no good at being a critic so i am not going to attempt to write a review, but i agree with ghostboy. i fucking loved this film. it was as good as i thought it might be. all these people that are bashing this film obviously are missing the point. it is not about what really happened or who is responsible. this is mel gibson making a fantastic film for everyone to see. last time i checked filmmakers dont make films for the audience. they mostly do it for themselves and hope the audience loves it. that is when they, being the director, are the creative force behind the thing i.e. writing, directing, producing. this was mel gibsons movie and he should be proud of what he has accomplished. i also dont think that The Last Temptation holds a candle to The Passion. anyways, everybody go see this film. you wont be dissapointed.    

[Finn]

I'll be seeing this tomorrow at 4:00 (advance tickets!)

[Stefen]

'Passion' a box office hit on first day

By DAVID GERMAIN
AP MOVIE WRITER

 
 A sign hangs on the box office window announcing a sold out showing of "The Passion of the Christ' as Olga P. sell tickets to the 1:30 showing of movie at the City Reading Cinemas, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004 in New York. The controversial Mel Gibson movie, "The Passion of the Christ," opens today at 28-hundred theaters around the country. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)  
LOS ANGELES -- Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" took in an estimated $15 million to $20 million after just one day of release, a remarkable number for a religious-themed movie so divisive that no Hollywood studio would touch it.

"The Passion" rang up $7 million in matinee ticket sales alone in the United States and Canada on Wednesday, said Rob Schwartz, head of distribution for Newmarket Films, which Gibson hired to release the movie after studios balked.

With an estimated $3 million from private screenings for church groups Monday and Tuesday in advance of Wednesday's official opening, grosses for "The Passion" were expected to climb as high as $20 million once evening screenings are counted, Schwartz said.

Final numbers were to be released Thursday.

That falls far short of the single-day record of $43.6 million held by "Spider-Man," but "The Passion" already has passed the receipts that other modern religious films took in during their entire runs, among them "The Last Temptation of Christ" ($8.4 million) and "The Omega Code" ($12.5 million).

"The Passion" opened on 4,643 screens in 3,006 theaters.

"I think the prospects are certainly good for at least hitting $100 million overall. Then again, we have to see how the rest of the weekend plays out," Schwartz said. "Hopefully, if we continue the torrid pace we're starting to set now, that's an achievable number."

Gibson put up the film's $25 million budget out of his own pocket. After theater owners take their cut, about half of the box office take will come back to Gibson, who then pays Newmarket a percentage fee for distribution.

The film, starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus, is a bloody depiction of Christ's final hours and crucifixion. The movie's box-office prospects benefited from months of debate as Gibson built grassroots support by screening it for church groups and excluding potential critics, while some Christian and Jewish leaders complained that it could fuel anti-Semitism by implying Jews were collectively responsible for Christ's death.



http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/apmovies_story.asp?category=1402&slug=Film%20Passion%20Box%20Office

HOLY SHIT THATS ALOT OF MONEY.

[RegularKarate]

i also dont think that The Last Temptation holds a candle to The Passion. anyways, everybody go see this film. you wont be dissapointed.    

WHAT THE FUCK???

[modage]

i also dont think that The Last Temptation holds a candle to The Passion. anyways, everybody go see this film. you wont be dissapointed.    

WHAT THE FUCK???

i think what he means is The Passion is better than The Last Temptation of Christ.

[Ghostboy]

Last Temptation is far more successful at externalizing Jesus' struggle with his dual nature. This movie is far more successful at showing...well, Jews without Brooklyn accents. Seriously, though, they're both very good movies that both take different routes in trying to bring audiences to a closer understanding of a historical figure who may or may not have been divine in nature (although both movies take a pro stance), and I would never recommend discarding one for the other.

[modage]

Last Temptation is far more successful at externalizing Jesus' struggle with his dual nature. This movie is far more successful at showing...well, Jews without Brooklyn accents.

haha, thats all i ask.

[SHAFTR]

any news on a McDonald's Happy Meal tie-in?

[ono]

any news on a McDonald's Happy Meal tie-in?

Post of the month, or at least the week.

I don't see why people are so bent on giving Gibson their money.  I couldn't be less interested.  It's just amusing seeing this thread balloon so much.  Makes us no better than anyone else who'd eat up Gibson's tripe.  You would think some would be offended at the commercialization of these figures.  I know it didn't start out that way, but he is cashing in big time on this.

[matt35mm]

People want to see it because people want to see it--that's not what makes commericialization.  The movie plays without trailers, even.  And as for Mel Gibson?  He took all the financial risks, he gets all the financial rewards.  That's fair to me.

I saw this movie tonight, and I have some definite criticisms.  Overall, the movie was okay for me.  But this movie could be really powerful for people, could disgust people, could go any way.  I'm in the middle.  But my criticisms lie in the execution of the film, and Mel Gibson's direction--not the story, so my personal beliefs don't affect those criticisms.

There were some "Great Movie Elements," and there were some cheap shots and some easy-way-outs.  So, yeah... I ended up in the middle.  I recommend seeing it before commenting on the film or what Mel Gibson is trying to do, though.  And I do respect and commend Gibson as an artist who brought his vision to the screen, so bravo and congrats to him, cuz his MOVIE (which he did pour his heart and soul into, no doubt) opened today.

[NEON MERCURY]

.
Also, the message of love -- love your enemies, etc, which is a beautiful one and one of the great things about what Jesus taught -- is conveyed excellently during the Last Supper; a few minutes later, during the crucifixion, one of the thieves dying at Jesus' side laughs at him and promptly has his eyeball plucked out by a crow. It's a cheap, pointless moment. These two moments blatantly contradict each other, and are an excellent microcosm of almost every problem there is with Christianity[/b].

what  do  you mean by this......???


btw........you   did a great review....just curiouis about what i highlighted

[Alethia]

seein this sunday.....i feel kinda wrong for being excited about it

[modage]

any news on a McDonald's Happy Meal tie-in?

wow, close.  i was just watching The Daily Show and they pointed out that some official The Passion merchandise includes necklaces with nails on them (like the ones Jesus was hung up with).  i am not making this up.

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Even before Gibson's controversial film about the last hours of Christ's life opened in theaters Wednesday, products associated with the movie grabbed attention. Three companies were licensed to sell items such as coffee-table books, jewelry, mugs, T-shirts, photographs and coins, said Tara Powers, a spokeswoman for Family Christian Stores based in Grand Rapids, Mich. Among the products generating interest is a a nail pendant hanging from a leather cord. "It's a rendition of the nail used in the movie," said Hileigh Murphy, a marketing communications specialist with Bob Siemon Designs, the Santa Ana, Calif., company that makes the pendant.  The $12.99 necklace -- $16.99 for the larger version -- is not the best-selling product.