Saw "The Passion..." last night

Posted by Shipguy (A) on February 25, 2004 at 11:28:27

Once again, hype triumphs over content. It could have been a powerful film had Gibson tamed his fixation on graphic blood and shredded flesh. For most of the film, Jesus is an unrecognizable lump of bleeding pulp; and that works strongly against the film. It's a continual distraction screaming "make-up...make-up..this is a movie...this is a movie!" at you. I found myself looking for wrinkles in the latex suit...and found them.

All in all, I think Gibson missed a grand opportunity. There were glimmers of lump-in-the-throat power in the brief flashbacks; but Gibson never followed through and extinguished their sparks with buckets of blood. The film is grossly imbalanced by the total emphasis on the suffering while leaving the reasons and results to whatever the viewer brought in with them.

P.S - I was surprised to learn this AM that we had seen a censored version. We saw it at a private screening hosted by a local church and apparently the final "Terminator"-like scene, where Jesus emerges naked from his tomb is missing from the church-sponsored screening cut.

(This post has been edited for general consumption. My more personal observations on the movie are posted Outside.)

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Topic - Saw "The Passion..." last night - Shipguy 11:28:27 02/25/04 (18)

Was an Amazing and Powerful movie - Bolt 14:18:32 02/27/04 (0)

I couldn't disagree with your more........... - sober1 04:14:33 02/26/04 (1)

Buh buh but, I've never even MET Jesus, - rhizomatic 14:38:58 02/26/04 (0)

what's the big deal - Corbu 20:14:45 02/25/04 (0)

Some lady today had a heart attack during the crucifixation scene and died......... - Chris Garrett 20:14:35 02/25/04 (12)

so that's what did it... - clbeanz 13:06:00 03/13/04 (0)

Ahem!!! If it weren't this movie you would have . . . - Auricle 13:38:33 02/26/04 (9)

Re: Ahem!!! If it weren't this movie you would have . . . - Chris Garrett 13:49:05 02/26/04 (8)

I have seen 3 in theatres, and the chain you were with - Auricle 14:26:47 02/26/04 (7)

I'm not saying that it's never happened...... - Chris Garrett 18:01:03 02/26/04 (2)

Re: I'm not saying that it's never happened...... - Auricle 05:22:14 02/27/04 (1)

Some of your claims are pretty wild... - Chris Garrett 12:16:13 02/27/04 (0)

Re: I have seen 3 in theatres, and the chain you were with - Ears 15:03:04 02/26/04 (3)

Yep . . .but the same complaint applies - Auricle 05:12:08 02/27/04 (2)

Re: Yep . . .but the same complaint applies - rico 06:27:07 02/27/04 (1)

Gawd, I am tempted. . . but I ain't goin' there! - Auricle 09:13:09 02/27/04 (0)

talking about life-changing experiences....... nt - Ruben 00:48:42 02/26/04 (0)

Post above has a "spoiler"! - TA 11:38:16 02/25/04 (0)

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