Strong, Mixed Emotions On This One

Rating: 8/10 (26 February 2006)

This is one of the few films I still watch despite it going against my principles. Like a black man not wanting to have any part of a movie that has racist overtones in it, I, as a Christian, feel likewise with the anti-Christian bias in this film.
I'm just such a freak for great visual movies that it's hard for me not to view this DVD every few years as it is one of the most stunning films - cinematography- wise - I have ever seen. Anyway, this visual feast also offers interesting characters and an intriguing story, all of which make the 105 minutes fly by. For the record, what offended me was the overt promotion of "science" over Biblical faith. The Bible is pictured several times, always in a negative connotation, portraying Believers as nothing but superstitious bigots. The reverend in the film is pictured as just as corrupt as the town leaders. Meanwhile, Depp - the good guy in here who solves the crime - points out that science of course has the answer to every question man could have. In addition, the occult is given credence, something the Bible says should not be. So you see why I have trouble with this movie in a number of regards.
But, despite all that, ii is not so heavy-handed as to deter me from enjoying the incredible visuals - one of the top ten best-looking films I've seen out of almost 10,000 - and the fact that it's an extremely interesting story with almost no profanity, either. I just look at it as a far-fetched fantasy and enjoy the wild ride.