Too long, to much focus on religion,

Rating: 6/10 (13 December 2016)

This movie was such a disappointment for me.
Probably because my expectations were too high, due to the 8.6 rating it had when I entered the cinema.
The trailer really drew me too this movie though. I really fell for the heroic theme and I thought this could maybe be another great experience like the good old work of Mel, like in Brave heart.
I do have to admit that I am not religious. Since Mel made the movie The Passion of the Christ, I am having difficulties enjoying his work. It was the way he used all the gore in this movie, to make the point how great Jesus was. For me this and the apparent missionary rationale of Mel behind this movie was just too much.
Now for this movie I thought, this could be an impressive one, let's give Mel another chance.
The first minute of the movie starts with narrative about the holey Lord, and I knew I made a mistake going to this movie. Then the movie takes just too long! I did like the romantic atmosphere etc, but the part before Japan could be have been done with 30 minutes less.
The parts in Japan I liked better. It was tense and impressive. Again big attempts to show a lot of gore. Camera work of the gore really resembled with "The Passion of the Christ, too much in the face. I liked it much better how it was done in eg Band of Brothers, and Saving Private Ryan. The shots with him showering in slow motion rinsing off all blood, and him flying in the sky on the stretcher, for me also failed completely in a attempt to grab the audience emotionally.
I give the movie still a 6, because liked the actors and their role playing a lot and I like the story. I just think that another director would have done a much better job. Better to leave these themes to eg Clint Eastwood.