The Passion of The Christ

[vpkozel]

I haven't seen the flick, but I would say the way that it hits you if you believe tha Christ died for our sins is that you finally see the suffering he went through and did not back down from it. All for us.

If you don't believe he died for our sins, its just a guy getting tortured - same as the other 2 guys on the hill with him.

 

[TimTam]

I do believe and I thought it was a better than average Christian movie. I just didnt think that it was particularly powerful. The story was almost like a pill. The world could have began at the begining of the movie and the world could have ended at the end and there is nothing in the movie to indicate otherwise. I liked the Satan character and thought it added a whole new dimension to the ideas. I felt the movie was more of a cliff notes...to be a full movie it could have incorporated a little more life and some of the resurraction. this was all over the place and focusing, I felt, more on mood rather than plot. It was really Jesus got captured. His disciples went around freaking out. He got beat and crucified. I think they could have explored why the Jews didn't like him rather than just have them man tell us he is a blasphemer. The very end I fellt was way to open. We all know what happened but I would have liked to see more. My biggest issue was that it was more mood driven or bias driven than plot centered. Example The walk to golgotha I think could have been shortened and still be just as effective. This would have allowed to use more of his life and why the Jews hated him rather than showing the people still beating him. there was like 50 minutes of beating in this movie. Where that is how it really was a movie has limited time to tell a story.

 

[Guest]

great points

 

[TimTam]

I am vexed by the comments that indicate that some people are using this movie as a sign of ones faith. Someone can be a Christian and not like this film (me). Someone can be an athiest, Buddhist, Hindi, Muslim, or whatever and still like this movie (my hindi girlfriend). movies are not litmus test to what your religious feelings are.

 

[voyergirl]

I am vexed by the comments that indicate that some people are using this movie as a sign of ones faith. Someone can be a Christian and not like this film (me). Someone can be an athiest, Buddhist, Hindi, Muslim, or whatever and still like this movie (my hindi girlfriend). movies are not litmus test to what your religious feelings are.

this movie is for all religions. i said that early on. while a agree the violence was overboard (lengthy) i believe for the most part it is that brutal display that bring reality into it. when we saw jurassic park in the theater on the big screen were we not in awe but the shear size of them. i am not saying POTC is anything like jjurassic park just the symbolism of the large screen bringing history to larger than life scales. personally it was not a life moving event to see the movie but the visions are now etched into the back of my mind. i have many times thought of the pain endured but to see it in such color...

i am glad you all saw it no matter what feelings it provoked.

 

[hasbeen99]

I am vexed by the comments that indicate that some people are using this movie as a sign of ones faith.

You're right, but it is tempting to use it as such, especially considering the wide spectrum of the reactions.

Someone can be a Christian and not like this film (me). Someone can be an athiest, Buddhist, Hindi, Muslim, or whatever and still like this movie (my hindi girlfriend).

I would be really interested to know specifically what your girlfriend liked about it. I've not heard any non-Christian reaction to it, and frankly I'm surprised anyone who wasn't a Christian could actually enjoy it.

movies are not litmus test to what your religious feelings are.

Generally speaking, I'd agree with you. But I think there's a possibility that a person's reaction to this film may be an indicator of how a person believes, if not the degree of faith.

 

[TimTam]

I would be really interested to know specifically what your girlfriend liked about it. I've not heard any non-Christian reaction to it, and frankly I'm surprised anyone who wasn't a Christian could actually enjoy it.

It would be just as easy. Its a nice story. If you dont believe it then its just like any other movie. Its like you saying you couldnt watch a story of Siddharthaand enjoy it or a story of Mohammed's ascension. You could like it but not believe it.

Generally speaking, I'd agree with you. But I think there's a possibility that a person's reaction to this film may be an indicator of how a person believes, if not the degree of faith.

I would like to be able to agree with you. I wish a movie could be that important to our generation. It used to be in the early days of cinema. We as a people are too good at watching movies though. We can't lost as easily in the story even if there is a personal or religious connection. Directorial decisions play different to us all. My problems with this film were not a matter of sypathizing with the main character. I thought he did a very good job. It wasnt a matter of not empathizing. It was a matter that I wanted to see context. I know the story but in the 10 min. beating scene after the first hits its just repetition. 5 minutes gets the point across. Seeing rib bones while carrying the cross gets the point across. What wasnt intimated was why the jews harbored such hatred for him. 99% of the back story was stated vocally by a character. Example: The audience wonders why can't Pontias Pilate free him if he feels Jesus did no wrong. Pontias says "The Jews will rise up if I free him. his people will if condemned. Caesar says If there is more blood spilt it will be my own." The beatings that he took lasted much longer than this movie. Therefore this movie cannot portray completely what Jesus endured. The makeup effects and some of the beating was astounding in its depiction. I just feel that to sacrifice some of the beating and add more life/ressurection would have been advantageous. Also some of the vignettes on the disciples was rather underplayed. Peter segment especially was, IMO, contrived. Kind of like "Mr gibson? We haven't included Peter's denial." "Ah yes just make that Scene 14"

 

[hasbeen99]

It would be just as easy. Its a nice story. If you dont believe it then its just like any other movie. Its like you saying you couldnt watch a story of Siddhartha and enjoy it or a story of Mohammed's ascension. You could like it but not believe it.

Hmm. Interesting point, now that I think about it. I did not enjoy POTC at all, but then again, I didn't go see it to be entertained. I went to be profoundly impacted, and I was. Perhaps the key is the motivation to see it in the first place. If I went to see a movie about Mohammad or Siddhartha, my motivations would be much different, and I'd be more open and subjective in general. That being said, I feel confident in saying I would not enjoy watching a 2 hour movie that featured Mohammad getting beaten to a pulp for nearly half the duration. But that's just me.

I think I understand your perspective on the movie. I think it does take a gamble on context. I think it assumes the viewer knows the context going in. Either that, or it's counting on the viewer who doesn't know to ask one who does. It's risky to discern what Gibson's purposes were, but I think its primary goal was to draw the viewer into the scene, and give the average Christian or spiritual seeker a closer look at what Jesus went through than they'd ever had before. In my experience, that goal was acheived. But I also agree with you that some context may have been a wise addition, and probably would have made the experience even better. I didn't clock it, but according to various websites, POTC is only 2 hours long. An additional 15 minutes of context in strategic places could have made a big difference.

 

[muff_spelunker]

Very mediocre movie. The story was dead on and I can see how the Fundies are digging it. Mel disappointed. It was like watching The Braveheart Patriotic Passion of The Christ. "Nazareth is free!".

 

[JagGrad]

I went to see The Passion about 3 weeks ago and it touched me deep into my soul! The thing that touches the viewers(those that let it), is that Christ did that for you and me! He could have easily said "God Curse These People and Kill Them!" instead, he said "Father forgive them!"

There were a lot of people in tears watching that! I even heard somebody at the bottom left bawling! Some of the people at my church cried their eyes out once the beatings started! Anybody that has half a heart will shed a tear or two! I guarantee it!

The "nails" and "spear" parts choked me up! I really could not see how anyone can endure that! There were other parts that touched me deep to my soul, but I will not mention them! I would rather the rest of you go see it for yourselves!

He loves us that much! He loves you guys that much!

After viewing this movie, there are no middle grounds! You are for him or against him! I am glad that I went to see it!

I said my piece!

C-ya later!