I enjoyed it quite a bit, although it was certainly weak in areas. While the movie was brutal, and many have made complaints in that area, I don't believe it went overboard because those days certainly were not nice, and they were making an example of Jesus.
The references were nice as well.
While I can understand why some may say it's anti-Semitic though, I don't believe they have truly grasped the purpose of the movie and its intentions. There was so much more there about human cruelty and what we do to each other that transcends ethnicity and race.
It wasn't about anti-Semitism but human cruelty, and I think the movie conveyed this, although, as I said, it was weak in some areas, where I would have appreciated more story because it seemed to slightly deter from mainstream references, as in the case of Mary Magdalene and his mother Mary.
I think there was more emphasis placed on the outside characters rather than Jesus. To me, while the movie attempted to focus on Jesus and his final hours, there was so much more story behind the other characters (many of whom I intend to write about).
Judas, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother, Peter, Lucifer, the supporting characters were what moved the story for me, and I almost wanted more from them. Partially, I know this is because I already know the story of Jesus.
Nevertheless, the cinematography was nice. I enjoyed how they weaved memories through the story to further enhance characterization. It humanized the characters more, even Jesus, which is what slightly worried me. They still martyred him, but I believe he was a martyr in his own time. I just thought the movie might idealize him, which it slightly did, but it didn't quite forget his humanity either.
All in all, it was a film worth watching, and I want to see it again for some deeper philosophical meanings because I think there's so much more there, especially in the metaphors.
Lucifer with the snake is obviously a metaphor, and one employed quite well as we can see Jesus resisting then killing the snake (temptation).
Even Mary must overcome her own fears and go to Jesus as a mother would and not as a disciple. Even the image of Mary and Lucifer on opposing sides, watching Jesus, watching each other, waiting.
Despite the brutality, the film had a surprising amount of subtlety that I think many miss because they're so focused on the gruesome scenes.
no subject
The references were nice as well.
While I can understand why some may say it's anti-Semitic though, I don't believe they have truly grasped the purpose of the movie and its intentions. There was so much more there about human cruelty and what we do to each other that transcends ethnicity and race.
It wasn't about anti-Semitism but human cruelty, and I think the movie conveyed this, although, as I said, it was weak in some areas, where I would have appreciated more story because it seemed to slightly deter from mainstream references, as in the case of Mary Magdalene and his mother Mary.
I think there was more emphasis placed on the outside characters rather than Jesus. To me, while the movie attempted to focus on Jesus and his final hours, there was so much more story behind the other characters (many of whom I intend to write about).
Judas, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother, Peter, Lucifer, the supporting characters were what moved the story for me, and I almost wanted more from them. Partially, I know this is because I already know the story of Jesus.
Nevertheless, the cinematography was nice. I enjoyed how they weaved memories through the story to further enhance characterization. It humanized the characters more, even Jesus, which is what slightly worried me. They still martyred him, but I believe he was a martyr in his own time. I just thought the movie might idealize him, which it slightly did, but it didn't quite forget his humanity either.
All in all, it was a film worth watching, and I want to see it again for some deeper philosophical meanings because I think there's so much more there, especially in the metaphors.
Lucifer with the snake is obviously a metaphor, and one employed quite well as we can see Jesus resisting then killing the snake (temptation).
Even Mary must overcome her own fears and go to Jesus as a mother would and not as a disciple. Even the image of Mary and Lucifer on opposing sides, watching Jesus, watching each other, waiting.
Despite the brutality, the film had a surprising amount of subtlety that I think many miss because they're so focused on the gruesome scenes.