Of course it was sarcasm, with a very good point. Don't invoke the "art of movie making" as you put it, and then in then next breath claim "The film is faithful to the Gospel, particularly St. John" as the film reviewer did. I fully understand creative license, although I disagree that using it in telling the story of Jesus is biblical -and if you don't understand why, then you may need to read the last few passages of the bible. I did find this interview with Mel Gibson very impressive: http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=20
I like Gibson, and he says some wonderful things in the interview I linked to. So if I can somehow stomach the typical catholic idolization of Mary as indicated in the posted movie review ("Kind of like how Mary's presence helped Jesus get through it, it seemed to me. The film is lovingly Marian. Mary is perfectly portrayed here." etc.etc.), I may even see the flick.