FR MOVIE REVUE: THE PASSION OF CHRIST (post your comments here)

2/24/04 | FR MOVIE REVIEWERS

[Liz]

All the world is waiting for the powerful message in Mel Gibson's ground-breaking film, The Passion of Christ.

Post here your own personal reactions after seeing the film set to open tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. Passion has previewed in some areas.

Also post reviews and pertinent comments from your state and area's newspapers and publications.

[King Black Robe]

It was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced and I highly recommend it to all but the most cynical Christian haters. I do recommend caution regarding children. It is very difficult to watch. Boys will be able to handle it at a younger age than girls.

[Boss_Jim_Gettys]

Liz,

Thanks for posting this. I am hoping to see it right after work tomorrow. I have two sons (10 and 12) and would also appreciate FReeper comments on the suitability of the movie for the younger crowd.

Boss_Jim

[MineralMan]

As you can see from my tagline, I'm an atheist. That, however, does not mean that I am not familiar with the story of Jesus.

I've been reading reviews of this film for a few days now, trying to decide whether or not I will attend. At this point, I do not plan to see this film.

Not because I am uninterested; I am. However, from my many readings of the Gospels, this film appears to tell just part of the story of Jesus...the ugliest part.

It seems to neglect much of what Jesus taught. Yes, the Gospels tell of Jesus' crucifixion at the hand of the Romans. It tells much more, though, and only the Passion is depicted in this film. That's fine, of course, and is Mr. Gibson's particular emphasis.

I will be interested in reading what others write about the film.

[Boss_Jim_Gettys]

KBR, thanks for your post. Knowing that it depends on the child, what age range (boys for me!) would you think able to handle the movie?

[OldFriend]

So you assume that if we're not christian than WE are the haters.......have you read some of the comments from the posters on these threads?

[AppyPappy]

I can't imagine that it would be any interest to anyone but a Christian. From a non-spritual aspect, it's a depiction of a man being tortured to death. If you don't know the background, it would seem rather pointless.

Such a strange way to Save the world.

[Dead Dog]

Learn to read

[AppyPappy]

So you assume that if we're not christian than WE are the haters

That may have been what you heard but that's not what he said.

[Blake#1]

This movie could be a wonderful reawakening for this Christian nation. One caution however, Mr. Gibson "hatred" of all things Protestant English makes him exagerate. One example, the British burning the congregation in a church in the film "Patriot". Never happened! Why would he put it in the movie?

[King Black Robe]

I think many boys could handle the movie (they will cry, but so did I) as young as eleven. I think 14 is closer to an acceptable age for most girls. Of course it depends on the individual child, but that's my general thought on the subject.

Make them aware that it is very graphic before you go, but that it illustrates the very high price Jesus paid for the sins of mankind. And He did rise again.

[Solson]

I'm going tomorrow at 6:15 PM with my wife, my 15 yr old and 12 yr old boys. We're leaving home the 10 yr old, 5 yr old, and 2 yr. old.

[King Black Robe]

Smart. That sounds like perfect judgement to me.

[Fury]

Let's hope this thread does not turn into religion "war", as it has on several other threads which asked for opinions on the movie.

[Dante3]

This film apparently is also of interest to at least some non-Christians. A couple I know who are not involved with religion (but respect different relgions) said that after reading reviews they are looking forward to seeing it.

[lonevoice]

Liz, I applaud your effort to gather FReeper reviews on one thread. Unfortunately, I've yet to see a thread about The Passion of the Christ that hasn't devolved into a contentious theological debate. It's really getting wearisome! It seems that some people who have no interest in seeing this movie just can't resist dropping inflammatory posts into these threads. Maybe we can get some moderator assistance to keep at least one thread from drifting off the topic that you've proposed here?

I, for one, would love to read a thread of reviews and discussion by FReepers who have actually seen the movie and will be following your thread hoping for that.

[roylene]

Of course the movie doesn't tell everything about Christ - It is about the last twelve hours.

[50sDad]

It seems to neglect much of what Jesus taught. Yes, the Gospels tell of Jesus' crucifixion at the hand of the Romans. It tells much more, though, and only the Passion is depicted in this film.

From a Christian's standpoint, Jesus as Rabbi and Teacher has been done in every conceivable fashion. Jews and Muslims recognise "Christ as a great teacher who taught us all to love." That we should be nice to each other, that we should take care of each other; these are important concepts...and they are ideas that many other regular humans have proposed again and again.

Gibson's vision of the project is to show that Christ died for our sins, and rose again. Most of us in the faith know that Christ was treated horribly, but there is a difference from "reading about it in a book" and actually standing on a streetcorner in Jerusalem watching the bloody man go by on the way up the hill.

For the potential "Great Awakening" factor in this, many supposed Christians today were innoculated into the Church. Many modern Christians that see this were "raised in the faith", and wear it like a shabby overcoat that is comforting to own, but never take it out and look at it and consider what it really is. The fact that God would take the form of man, live our life with its joys and fears, and like the Lamb of Hebrew sacrifice, lay down and experience a physical death, something that God had not and could not before do, so that by God's rules, humankind could be made clean...that is a remarkable singularity that occurs nowhere in the religions that Man has invented to work his way to Heaven. Gibson's point is that God would undergo this horrific death to reach down to man as a bridge to something greater and more pure than we in the flesh can earn.

Christ as teacher? Been there, done that, bought the tunic. Christ as savior? This movie is going to expose people who would be scared to walk into a church to the Grace of God. "Come for the novelty...stay for the Salvation."

[50sDad]

Let's hope this thread does not turn into religion "war", as it has on several other threads which asked for opinions on the movie.

Perhaps we can all agree on this: Christ, as part of God, died a physical death to pay for our sins, and all that accept this are made part of God's Family. Does this work for everyone?

[Boss_Jim_Gettys]

"I'm going tomorrow at 6:15 PM with my wife, my 15 yr old and 12 yr old boys. We're leaving home the 10 yr old, 5 yr old, and 2 yr. old."

I plan to see the movie tomorrow evening and decide whether or not to take my 10 and/or 12 year old boys to see the film. I would be interested in the the reaction of your sons, especially the 12 year old, if you are willing to post.