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The Reviews Are Coming In...
- 02/24/04
- 8
Reviews are finally starting to pour in for The Passion of the Christ. I have been looking forward to reading some of the reviews since to this point the vast majority of people who have seen the movie are either Christians or are at least religious. They are hardly able to objectively judge and evaluate the movie. Now, though, we have hoards of secular reviewers who will be writing reivews.
The site I go to for movie reviews is Rotten Tomatoes. They do not actually review the movies, choosing instead to simply compile a list of other reviews and assign them either a positive or negative score (a fresh tomato or a rotten tomato). With just a glance you can see how the average reviewer is rating the movie. As of this moment in time the site has compiled 25 reviews, 14 of which are fresh and 11 rotten.
Some of the rotten reviews are definitely missing the point of Jesus’ life and death. They complain that the violence outweighs the message of Jesus’ life which is to love oneanother. That, of course, was not his main message at all. If it was I don’t think he ever would have been crucified. Certainly the overwhelming complaint is that the violence is over the top, far beyond even the worst horror movie.
I have long wondered what the impact of this movie will be on non-Christians. As Christians we may see the movie and have our souls stirred simply because we have the Spirit indwelling us. Unbelievers do not have the Spirit so I wonder if they might not just see another murder…another man dying in a world where we see death on the big screen all the time. I found the following quote interesting as it addresses that point. “A film so narrowly focused as to be inaccessible for all but the devout.” Another reviewer said “With a pervasive NC-17 level of gore, it’s simplistic and relentlessly pedantic but effective with its single theme that Christ suffered. But where is its spirituality?” I wonder if all the hype from the Christian world about this movie being an incredible outreach opportunity will fall flat and this will instead be another inreach opportunity.
Another possibility is that many unbelievers will be moved and stirred by this movie - but only those that the Spirit is beginning to work in. Perhaps for them this will be one more tool God uses to draw people to Himself.
A friend bought me a ticket for the 1 PM showing tomorrow, so 24 hours from now I will finally be able to draw my own conclusions. I read all four gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion and intend to do so another two or three times before the show so I will be able to report back on what is the gospel and what is clearly not.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (8)
Since I can’t see it until March, I’ll be eager to hear your review. Mel admits to taking some artistic license in some areas, but he worked hard to make it authentic, at least to his vision.
“Another possibility is that many unbelievers will be moved and stirred by this movie - but only those that the Spirit is beginning to work in.”
Hopefully, yes.
But reading through many reviews so far by non-Christians, it appears that in general, this movie has had a rather negative effect on them…
That is (perhaps) a seperating of wheat from chaff. It’s a shame really, but people who see nothing but violence in the crucifixion are obviously not among the elect, as Tim has mentioned.
By the way, there are some things that the Bible didn’t say they didn’t happen. Mary mopping up blood after the beating, Jesus crossing arms with Simon as he carries the cross for Jesus and some other things that I have heard of. How much latitude to plan on allowing Mel for this?
That’s a decision you’ll want to make before you step into the theater.
I am not giving him any latitude for this. I am not sure if it will change my opinion of the movie, but I want to take note of the details that are Mel, those that are from those nuns, and those that are from the Bible. I almost wish I could see it twice because I am going to be looking for so much I might actually miss the movie! :)
More reviews at Rotten Tomatoes and the percentage of good reviews is falling, down to 52%.
I’m going with a group from church on Saturday morning. Even in church staff meetings,the movie has brought forth much discussion.
I pray that many “church members” will come to know Christ for the first time and that many more will recommit their lives to Christ as this movie will be a vivid reminder of our Savior’s sacrifice for our sins.
Hey Tim!!!I can’t wait to hear what you think…
[Doug]:
“That is (perhaps) a seperating of wheat from chaff. It’s a shame really, but people who see nothing but violence in the crucifixion are obviously not among the elect, as Tim has mentioned.”
GREAT point!!! The unregenerate are just not going to “get it,” just as the pagan Gentiles Paul referred to didn’t “get it” (“the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing”).
“By the way, there are some things that the Bible didn’t say they didn’t happen. Mary mopping up blood after the beating, Jesus crossing arms with Simon as he carries the cross for Jesus and some other things that I have heard of. How much latitude to plan on allowing Mel for this?”
IMO Christians should allow a good amount of extrabiblical (which does not mean the aame thing as anti-biblical) leeway since the film is, as Mel put it, his own personal artistic “vision” of the Lord’s suffering and death.
I found the scene of the two Marys mopping up Jesus’ blood very moving, and certainly not contrary to Scripture when you consider the Bible’s emphasis on the holiness of the precious, saving blood of the Lamb of God.
Who among us wouldn’t do the same thing if we saw our Lord’s blood spilled on the pavement???
As for the scene of Jesus crossing arms with Simon as he carries the cross for Jesus, nothing unbiblical about that either: Jesus told us that we must take up our cross and follow Him in order to be one of His disciples. But we are also promised God Himself would help us carry the cross given to us. I also see this scene as a clear allusion to what the Apostle Paul said about us being “crucified with Christ.”
IMO these scenes are not only biblically valid, they make the meaning of the Scriptures seem more real in a very personal way. Mel should be thanked for that!
IMO these scenes are not only biblically valid, they make the meaning of the Scriptures seem more real in a very personal way. Mel should be thanked for that!
Uh oh… There is something wrong with this picture if it took the work of an unsaved religious man (Catholic) to make the Scriptures more real to us!!!
Mel Gibson believes that salvation is only found in the Catholic church, and he is trusting in his faith in Mary and being squeaky clean (ie. good works) to make it to Heaven.
Now, what was that the Apostle Paul stated in Galatians chapter one about those who preach another Gospel?
Maybe I should quote it for those who don’t read their Bibles:
Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.