I saw the Passion of the Christ! (*REVIEW*)

February 24, 2004 | Sir Valentino

[Sir Valentino]

Last night I saw an advance screening of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, and I am still *OVERWHELMED*.

Words can hardly express the sheer *EMOTION* of the experience. I am not exaggerating when I call this the *GREATEST* film of all time. If you thought Braveheart was Mel Gibson's masterpiece, you have *SEVERELY* underestimated this man's talent! Braveheart is a wonderful movie, but the Passion of the Christ easily *OUTCLASSES* all films that came before it.

This is the work of a true *ARTIST*. A century from now, the history books will speak of Mel Gibson as a towering artist of equal stature with Michelangelo, Beethoven, and Shakespeare. If you think this praise is "over the top," that can only be because you have not *SEEN* The Passion of the Christ!

There are a lot of *LIES* being spread about this film. Do not believe them! There is no "anti-Semitism" anywhere in the film. Nobody is going to be driven to *HATE* by this meditation on Christ's *LOVE*.

In short, this film is *PERFECTION*. I would not change a single thing about it. It was almost too much to take as my tears poured down my cheek with each advancing frame of celluloid. But it was *SO* rewarding.

Yes, some of the imagery is *BRUTAL*, but it is essential to understanding Christ's sacrifice. In *NO* way do I consider it inappropriate for my daughter Tobi (age 6), and I will be taking her to see it this weekend.

Do yourself a *FAVOR*. See The Passion of the Christ!

But bring *TWO* boxes of Kleenex!

[pointsal]

There are actually two sequels, but you can only choose to see the HEAVEN version or the HELL version. Those are eternal personal choices. These options are only available from the original Maker of this universe.

[ValenB4]

I don't know about 6 years old. Like you said, this movie's a great work of art and will be available to be seen forever afterwards. Don't let your enthusiasm risk traumatizing your child. You don't want her to someday end up becoming a Scientologist, or worse yet, a Muslim. I still have memories of freaking out at 5 years old and having to be taken out of the theatre after seeing the mauled killer whale carcass from the movie Jaws.

[Yardstick]

Uh, oh -- another comparison with Braveheart.

Your review is added to several others I've seen which have expressed one version or another of the "if you liked Braveheart, you'll love The Passion" formula. I hate to say it, but I wasn't all that impressed with Braveheart. A small part of me is beginning to wonder if I might wind up being let down by the Passion, too. I hope not, but if that's the case, so be it.

[Licensed-To-Carry]

Most excellent statement. And so true.

[Lisa Lupner]

In *NO* way do I consider it inappropriate for my daughter Tobi (age 6), and I will be taking her to see it this weekend.

I sincerely hope you re-think that.

[leadhead]

NEWSROOM SOURCES: NYT TO SLAM GIBSON'S 'PASSION' IN REVIEW TOMORROW: 'Gibson has constructed an unnerving and painful spectacle that is also, in the end, a depressing one... It is disheartening to see a film made with evident and abundant religious conviction that is at the same time so utterly lacking in grace.... What makes the movie so grim and ugly is Gibson's inability to think beyond the conventional logic of movie narrative'...

This review means that Gibson didn't just get somethings right. He got everything right. NYT writes a language that is inversed to those in flyover country. Bad is good, up is down..so this review means it's fantastic.

[workerbee]

Yes, some of the imagery is *BRUTAL*, but it is essential to understanding Christ's sacrifice. In *NO* way do I consider it inappropriate for my daughter Tobi (age 6), and I will be taking her to see it this weekend.

Essential for a six year old? Are you kidding me?

[Dog Gone]

One of the weirdest things about this movie so far is taking place on Houston talk radio, where conservative Pat Gray is defending the movie on the morning talk show, while admitting that his family decided to never attend an R-rated movie.

He won't go see it, even without his kids, yet he defends it.

Totally bizarre.

[Taffini]

I still have memories of freaking out at 5 years old and having to be taken out of the theatre after seeing the mauled killer whale carcass from the movie Jaws.



The forrest fire in Bambi marred me.

[Faith]

that is at the same time so utterly lacking in grace

How ironic that the Times would use those words to describe this movie. If it were not for the grace of God in sending Christ, we would all face eternal damnation.

[nutmeg]

Thanks for the review! We plan to see it ASAP.

nutmeg & zelig

[commish]

Great review, but how do you *REALLY FEEL*. I think I may have missed some of your more *STRIDENT* points about the movie. ROFL!!!!! Sorry couldn't resist. ;-)

[Zechariah11]

Isaiah 52:14

[nutmeg]

Lots of discussion right NOW on "Scarborough Country" on MSNBC. Joe is speaking to the woman who founded this site: SeeThePassion.com

[gusopol3]

Isaiah 52:9

[mlo]

How ironic that the Times would use those words to describe this movie. If it were not for the grace of God in sending Christ, we would all face eternal damnation.

Damnation by who?

[eyespysomething]

Its hard when your afterlife is thrust into your face, and its not a pretty picture.

[gusopol3]

you can be certain neither he, nor his editors, caught the irony, the concept being as foreign to them as the New Testament was to an erstwhile presidential candidate whose favorite book thereof was "Job." Is there any doubt why there is a breakdown of communication? We need to pray that this gets us the opportunity to get back at least to a common cultural understanding of "there, but for the grace of God..." but much more so to saving grace.

[GeronL]

If you thought Braveheart was Mel Gibson's masterpiece

No, the PATRIOT!

[isom35]

ya but dont discount Mad Max IV. dude, that's gonna rule...