2/25/2004:
"In The Passion of the Christ, Mel Gibson shows little interest in celebrating the electric charge of hope and redemption that Jesus Christ brought into the world. He largely ignores Jesus' heart-stopping eloquence, his startling ethical radicalism and personal radiance—Christ as a 'paragon of vitality and poetic assertion', as John Updike described Jesus' character in his essay 'The Gospel According to Saint Matthew'. Cecil B. De Mille had his version of Jesus' life, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Martin Scorsese had theirs, and Gibson, of course, is free to skip over the incomparable glories of Jesus' temperament and to devote himself, as he does, to Jesus' pain and martyrdom in the last twelve hours of his life.
"As a viewer, I am equally free to say that the movie Gibson has made from his personal obsessions is a sickening death trip, a grimly unilluminating procession of treachery, beatings, blood, and agony—and to say so without indulging in 'anti-Christian sentiment' (Gibson’s term for what his critics are spreading). For two hours, with only an occasional pause or gentle flashback, we watch, stupefied, as a handsome, strapping, at times half-naked young man (James Caviezel) is slowly tortured to death. Gibson is so thoroughly fixated on the scourging and crushing of Christ, and so meagrely involved in the spiritual meanings of the final hours, that he falls in danger of altering Jesus' message of love into one of hate."

- David Denby; The New Yorker, 3/1/2004
 
Selected Comments:
 
I don't think that thing will fit in the overhead bin sir.
- Holy Airlines

this is a rare thing, neither art nor porn,
it's simply dogma,
well too worn
- recovering christian

Way to go Gibson. Only in America can a wealthy man spread his money around in order to put his version of history on screen for the pathetic sheep to flock to.
- sick

Was Christ not beaten and nailed to a cross like so many other Jews and enemies of the state? Didn't savage people back then think nothing of seeing human beings torn apart by lions, stabbed to death by the gladiators? The movie brings out the worst in mankind just as the young teen girl who was abducted from the mall in Florida and brutally raped and killed a few weeks ago. Do we forget that Niggers, Jews, Arabs and even Mexicans are not the only savage killers on the planet.
- keepin it real

Hell if I was a Roman I'd whip that longhaired punk too.
- Seattle Sam

Dear God...that's all we need is to get the damn Christians all riled up again...must be an election year. Thanks Mel "HOMOPHOPBE" Gibson.
- 7T'sSoFla

Ahhh...Cross Shopping at the mall...I share the passion !!
- Miami Mike

What's new ???  Religion=Hate
...otherwise we'd have some semblance of peace in the world.
- It's a MOVIE dummy.

Gibsons' film is a manifestation of his hatred for his father, whom has cast as the Christ character in this film. He mercilessly beats him and cruelly watches him die, all because his father wouldn't let him play with dolls.
- GgeorgeE

I know your going to be crucified, but I have some good news. I just saved a ton of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico.
- The Youth of America

I hate how all the people emphasizes that the Jews killed Jesus. There weren't any Christians around back then to do the job and if he was around today I'm sure I would do the same thing... that rat bastard.
- King Chicken

Jesus is ruining all my favorite TV and Radio talk shows.
- Jews for Jesus!

I couldn't let it pass. pass. You have completely pass that you have missed this point of the whole movie. It souly deals deals with the passion of the very last day of Jesus Christ on the very last day of HIS life on earth Saving your life everlasting. I really feel sorry for YOU!!!
- FL gbud, Sorry I will nwvwer meet YOU again!!!

Gibson does Jesus
It seems obvious to me
Action, Blood, Suffering
- Haikuku
PORNOGRAPHY!
(113 Votes- 48% Art, 52% Porn!)

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