Review of The Passion of the Christ (2004) by Do You Even Jay C — 01 Feb 2014

*THE OFFICIAL BETTER THAN JUNO SEAL*.

Time Written: Feb. 1, 2014 @ 12:54 PM-1:26 PM.

I tend to avoid films that deal heavily with religion, mainly cause I feel that it will definitely be either 2 things. Either the film will be preachy, or the film will embarrass the story around it. Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ is actually a mix of both. Some Christians may find it horrible, though the overly religious will call it a masterpiece in cinema. The rest of the people will call it a terrible film, with little redeeming values. As you might have noticed from my score, I wasn't very fond of this film. It literally felt like a mix of torture porn and religious propaganda. Instead of focusing on what Christ did (If he did any of those things), the film focuses more on his torture and death. I saw little redeeming things in this terrible film.

Normally, I would discuss the plot, but I'm sure you all knows what happens. I will, however, discuss how and why it was made. Passion of the Christ was Mel Gibson's "pet project" if you will. He felt it necessary to make this film as his duty as a Christian. So, instead of going to a big budget film studio like 20th Century Fox, Mel decided to fund most of the film himself. This lead Christians to think that he actually cared about the story so much. So, of course, millions of people saw it and it became a box office smash. It raked in around $400 million by the end of it's reign, and everyone fawned over it, calling it a must-see for every Christian. As a guy who comes from a Christian family, I was forced to watch this instead of a film I really wanted to watch (Dawn of the Dead, though I think it's a terrible film). So, I was dragged in to watch it. I hated it as a kid and I still hate it now.

Now, let me discuss some of the few good things I noticed about the film. The entire film is spoken in both Latin and Aramaic, two very dead languages. I give the actors credit for actually learning the language and giving it a much more realistic feel. I know, I'm not the only one tired of ancient people speaking Shakespearean British *cough* 300 *cough*. Also, the film felt very sincere in it's telling, though it's bombarded with torture porn. Mel felt the need to tell this story, and I felt he really cared. The film was also decently acted and had some nice cinematography. However, that is where all the positives end.

The film's message, though as noble as it seems, is muddled through the constant torturing of Jesus. Now, as a guy who has watched Saw, I get tired of people claiming the original Saw as torture porn. You want real torture porn? Watch this film. Jesus is brutally beaten, whipped to a bloody pulp, and eventually killed......Oh, spoiler alert. It's tough to sit through this film without cringing at the sight of metal spikes ripping through a man's back. Also, while the film praises Christ and Christians, it's anti-Semitic as well. Hey, Mel, did you know Christ was a Jew as well? Why are you so against "God's people" when their the ones who started your precious Christianity? Seriously, the only Jews that a noble in this film is Christ and Mary. Everyone else is a savage, who wants Jesus' head on a stick. Then, the film avoids the things Christ may or may not have did and starts right away with torture. I would have loved to see Mel's take on what he thinks Christ was, though we already know what that would have been. Ugh, why couldn't you just make another film, Mel? WHY!?

All in all, Mel Gibson's the Passion of the Christ is a choir to sit through. It's never a good sign if I'm forcing myself to finish a film. For a film that had some good potential, it wastes it all. I'm not saying Christianity is a dumb religion (I don't believe it though). This film is dumb. Whatever redeeming values this film seemed to have, it blurred out, due to constant violence and blood. When a film that doesn't even try to be scary makes films like Saw 2 or 3 or even Martyrs seem like child's play, you know that this film is no joke. If you're extremely religious, I guess I can kind of see why you like. If you enjoy watching someone be tortured in extreme amounts, I recommend you see a doctor first, but you will love this film. For people who like a film to be entertaining somewhat, stay away from this film. It's devoid of entertainment value, character development, or any really interesting themes. Also, we already hate Jews, Mel. No need to tell us what we already know.