this movie is like
question: How is the movie?, context: Well, this movie is like any other ever made.  Because of its religious nature, it is nearly impossible to judge it simply as some flick to go see.  However, I'll first judge the film on whether or not you should go out and see it in the theatres, then on its movie merits, and I'll conclude with some thoughts on what this movie means theologically.If you are looking for a film to escape into, or looking for great entertainment value, or basically most of the reasons we go to see movies, The Passion is not the movie for you.  Firstly, this film is horrifyingly graphic and violent.  It is an accurate reflection of life as it was.  Outside of the graphic nature of the film, the 100 minutes of cellulite that represents that sum total of Christ's sacrifice is agonizing.  Though Mel Gibson breaks some of this up with flashbacks from Christ's earlier years, it's just so intense that if you don't understand the theology of the film, you won't enjoy this at all.  Simply said, this film was made for Christians that are committed to their faith, not for agnostics, atheists, or the average filmgoer.I don't mean to imply that this film is somehow "too good" for atheists, agnostics and non-believers.  I simply mean to state that this film is not attempting to be entertaining, or thought provoking, or anything else.  Christ's teachings are skimmed over, and not really mentioned, the consequences of the crucifixion are not expelled upon.  Simply, this is a portrayal of The Passion of Jesus as He went through what was destined.The merits of the film as a film are not lacking by any stretch of the imagination.  Though the film is based on the Gospels, as a story the life of Christ is far from boring.  Betrayal, skepticism, murder, conspiracy, love, belief, purpose.  All are part of the story of His last day.Similarly, there aren't any plot problems, subplot problems, theme issues, or major holes to speak of.  The accounts of His crucifixion take less than three pages of text per gospel.  As such, simplicity prevents questions of direction and purpose.Mel Gibson directed this film quite well.  The film flows together quite well.  Mel's vision of the last day of Christ is well done.  I am at a lack for words when it comes to describing the thanks I have for Mel Gibson for doing this film in the way he has.  His choice to be the man who nails Christ to the cross is important, and all but avoids silly questions about the anti-Semitic nature of this film.  Gibson's vision of the humiliation and struggle on His last day are awakening.  As a convert from atheism to Christianity, this movie has helped me in ways innumerous.Mel Gibson aside, the acting in The Passion is extraordinary in itself.  The highlights are Hristo Shopov's portrayal of Pontius Pilate.  Also, kudos are needed for Rosalinda Celentano's thankless portrayal of Satan.  Ms. Celetano's performance was visually spectacular .  Finally, James Caviezel gives an unbelievable performance of endurance as Jesus.  These actors deserve a lot of credit for making this film what it is.What is this movie?  An attempt to show the earthly pain that God as Man went through for us, all of humanity.  He carried our sins, the sins of all Mankind in an ongoing sacrifice.  That burden is incomprehensible to us as humans, but we get a taste of it here in this film.  Thank you Mel Gibson. 
How is the movie?
Well, this movie is like any other ever made.
Well, this movie is like any other ever made.  Because of its religious nature, it is nearly impossible to judge it simply as some flick to go see.  However, I'll first judge the film on whether or not you should go out and see it in the theatres, then on its movie merits, and I'll conclude with some thoughts on what this movie means theologically.If you are looking for a film to escape into, or looking for great entertainment value, or basically most of the reasons we go to see movies, The Passion is not the movie for you.  Firstly, this film is horrifyingly graphic and violent.  It is an accurate reflection of life as it was.  Outside of the graphic nature of the film, the 100 minutes of cellulite that represents that sum total of Christ's sacrifice is agonizing.  Though Mel Gibson breaks some of this up with flashbacks from Christ's earlier years, it's just so intense that if you don't understand the theology of the film, you won't enjoy this at all.  Simply said, this film was made for Christians that are committed to their faith, not for agnostics, atheists, or the average filmgoer.I don't mean to imply that this film is somehow "too good" for atheists, agnostics and non-believers.  I simply mean to state that this film is not attempting to be entertaining, or thought provoking, or anything else.  Christ's teachings are skimmed over, and not really mentioned, the consequences of the crucifixion are not expelled upon.  Simply, this is a portrayal of The Passion of Jesus as He went through what was destined.The merits of the film as a film are not lacking by any stretch of the imagination.  Though the film is based on the Gospels, as a story the life of Christ is far from boring.  Betrayal, skepticism, murder, conspiracy, love, belief, purpose.  All are part of the story of His last day.Similarly, there aren't any plot problems, subplot problems, theme issues, or major holes to speak of.  The accounts of His crucifixion take less than three pages of text per gospel.  As such, simplicity prevents questions of direction and purpose.Mel Gibson directed this film quite well.  The film flows together quite well.  Mel's vision of the last day of Christ is well done.  I am at a lack for words when it comes to describing the thanks I have for Mel Gibson for doing this film in the way he has.  His choice to be the man who nails Christ to the cross is important, and all but avoids silly questions about the anti-Semitic nature of this film.  Gibson's vision of the humiliation and struggle on His last day are awakening.  As a convert from atheism to Christianity, this movie has helped me in ways innumerous.Mel Gibson aside, the acting in The Passion is extraordinary in itself.  The highlights are Hristo Shopov's portrayal of Pontius Pilate.  Also, kudos are needed for Rosalinda Celentano's thankless portrayal of Satan.  Ms. Celetano's performance was visually spectacular .  Finally, James Caviezel gives an unbelievable performance of endurance as Jesus.  These actors deserve a lot of credit for making this film what it is.What is this movie?  An attempt to show the earthly pain that God as Man went through for us, all of humanity.  He carried our sins, the sins of all Mankind in an ongoing sacrifice.  That burden is incomprehensible to us as humans, but we get a taste of it here in this film.  Thank you Mel Gibson. 
Well, <hl> this movie is like <hl> any other ever made.
Well, <hl> this movie is like <hl> any other ever made. Because of its religious nature, it is nearly impossible to judge it simply as some flick to go see. However, I'll first judge the film on whether or not you should go out and see it in the theatres, then on its movie merits, and I'll conclude with some thoughts on what this movie means theologically.If you are looking for a film to escape into, or looking for great entertainment value, or basically most of the reasons we go to see movies, The Passion is not the movie for you. Firstly, this film is horrifyingly graphic and violent. It is an accurate reflection of life as it was. Outside of the graphic nature of the film, the 100 minutes of cellulite that represents that sum total of Christ's sacrifice is agonizing. Though Mel Gibson breaks some of this up with flashbacks from Christ's earlier years, it's just so intense that if you don't understand the theology of the film, you won't enjoy this at all. Simply said, this film was made for Christians that are committed to their faith, not for agnostics, atheists, or the average filmgoer.I don't mean to imply that this film is somehow "too good" for atheists, agnostics and non-believers. I simply mean to state that this film is not attempting to be entertaining, or thought provoking, or anything else. Christ's teachings are skimmed over, and not really mentioned, the consequences of the crucifixion are not expelled upon. Simply, this is a portrayal of The Passion of Jesus as He went through what was destined.The merits of the film as a film are not lacking by any stretch of the imagination. Though the film is based on the Gospels, as a story the life of Christ is far from boring. Betrayal, skepticism, murder, conspiracy, love, belief, purpose. All are part of the story of His last day.Similarly, there aren't any plot problems, subplot problems, theme issues, or major holes to speak of. The accounts of His crucifixion take less than three pages of text per gospel. As such, simplicity prevents questions of direction and purpose.Mel Gibson directed this film quite well. The film flows together quite well. Mel's vision of the last day of Christ is well done. I am at a lack for words when it comes to describing the thanks I have for Mel Gibson for doing this film in the way he has. His choice to be the man who nails Christ to the cross is important, and all but avoids silly questions about the anti-Semitic nature of this film. Gibson's vision of the humiliation and struggle on His last day are awakening. As a convert from atheism to Christianity, this movie has helped me in ways innumerous.Mel Gibson aside, the acting in The Passion is extraordinary in itself. The highlights are Hristo Shopov's portrayal of Pontius Pilate. Also, kudos are needed for Rosalinda Celentano's thankless portrayal of Satan. Ms. Celetano's performance was visually spectacular . Finally, James Caviezel gives an unbelievable performance of endurance as Jesus. These actors deserve a lot of credit for making this film what it is.What is this movie? An attempt to show the earthly pain that God as Man went through for us, all of humanity. He carried our sins, the sins of all Mankind in an ongoing sacrifice. That burden is incomprehensible to us as humans, but we get a taste of it here in this film. Thank you Mel Gibson. 
<hl> Well, this movie is like any other ever made. <hl> Because of its religious nature, it is nearly impossible to judge it simply as some flick to go see. However, I'll first judge the film on whether or not you should go out and see it in the theatres, then on its movie merits, and I'll conclude with some thoughts on what this movie means theologically. If you are looking for a film to escape into, or looking for great entertainment value, or basically most of the reasons we go to see movies, The Passion is not the movie for you. Firstly, this film is horrifyingly graphic and violent. It is an accurate reflection of life as it was. Outside of the graphic nature of the film, the 100 minutes of cellulite that represents that sum total of Christ's sacrifice is agonizing. Though Mel Gibson breaks some of this up with flashbacks from Christ's earlier years, it's just so intense that if you don't understand the theology of the film, you won't enjoy this at all. Simply said, this film was made for Christians that are committed to their faith, not for agnostics, atheists, or the average filmgoer. I don't mean to imply that this film is somehow "too good" for atheists, agnostics and non-believers. I simply mean to state that this film is not attempting to be entertaining, or thought provoking, or anything else. Christ's teachings are skimmed over, and not really mentioned, the consequences of the crucifixion are not expelled upon. Simply, this is a portrayal of The Passion of Jesus as He went through what was destined. The merits of the film as a film are not lacking by any stretch of the imagination. Though the film is based on the Gospels, as a story the life of Christ is far from boring. Betrayal, skepticism, murder, conspiracy, love, belief, purpose. All are part of the story of His last day. Similarly, there aren't any plot problems, subplot problems, theme issues, or major holes to speak of. The accounts of His crucifixion take less than three pages of text per gospel. As such, simplicity prevents questions of direction and purpose. Mel Gibson directed this film quite well. The film flows together quite well. Mel's vision of the last day of Christ is well done. I am at a lack for words when it comes to describing the thanks I have for Mel Gibson for doing this film in the way he has. His choice to be the man who nails Christ to the cross is important, and all but avoids silly questions about the anti-Semitic nature of this film. Gibson's vision of the humiliation and struggle on His last day are awakening. As a convert from atheism to Christianity, this movie has helped me in ways innumerous. Mel Gibson aside, the acting in The Passion is extraordinary in itself. The highlights are Hristo Shopov's portrayal of Pontius Pilate. Also, kudos are needed for Rosalinda Celentano's thankless portrayal of Satan. Ms. Celetano's performance was visually spectacular . Finally, James Caviezel gives an unbelievable performance of endurance as Jesus. These actors deserve a lot of credit for making this film what it is. What is this movie? An attempt to show the earthly pain that God as Man went through for us, all of humanity. He carried our sins, the sins of all Mankind in an ongoing sacrifice. That burden is incomprehensible to us as humans, but we get a taste of it here in this film. Thank you Mel Gibson.