Click above to purchase "Dogma" at amazon.com
Dogma
review by Zach B.
Rated R
Studio: Columbia/Tri-Star
Running Time: 128 minutes
Starring Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino,
Salma Hayek, Jason Lee, Jason Mewes, Alan Rickman, Chris
Rock
Written and Directed by Kevin Smith
Retail Price: $24.95
Features: Theatrical Trailer
Specs: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.33:1 Full
Screen, English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Dolby Surround,
French Dolby Surround, Spanish Dolby Surround, English
Closed Captions, English Subtitles, French Subtitles,
Spanish Subtitles, Scene Selections
"Dogma" is not an easy movie to talk about since there's
so much history behind it, but I'll do my best talking about
it. I'm a big Kevin Smith fan, and I loved every minute of
Dogma. While it's not my favorite Kevin Smith film of all
time, it's pretty damn good (I love every single one of his
projects). Besides a very good story, "Dogma" also shows how
much Smith has grown as a filmmaker and how he keeps
evolving.
The story of "Dogma" is pretty simple: Two renegade
angels named Loki and Bartleby (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck)
have found a loophole to get them back into heaven.
Unfortuantley, by going through it'd wipe out the universe.
That's where Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) comes in along.
Along with Rufus the 13th Apostle (Chris Rock), a muse
(Salma Hayek) and Jay and Silent Bob, they're out to save
the world.
People are familiar that "Dogma" caused quite a stir upon
it's original theatrical release. This being Smith's fourth
film, well before it came out people started to go nuts
about it how it offends religons and whatnot. Miramax was
going to release the film and "bought it from themselves for
ten million dollars" (What the f***?), but they soon dropped
it and Lions Gate gave it theatrical distribution during
November 1999. The film was Smith's most successful yet, and
Columbia/Tri-Star distributed it on DVD and video.
So is "Dogma" as bad as they say it is? Not really. This
is America of course, and in America people will complain
and sue over any little thing. A lot of Americans always
have to put the blame on others, and even before the movie
came out people started to show their discomfort. While I'm
not of the Christian faith (I'm Jewish), I didn't find
anything so offensive within the film. People who have major
faith really shouldn't get so upset about this film. It's
really nothing terrible, though I can see people getting
offended at some portions... though they really shouldn't.
Sometimes I think people should just relax and chill out,
enjoy themselves and whatnot. Smith does have a lot of
religous references, and even says himself in his excellent
essay included with the DVD that the "only wrong thing with
Christianity is Christians". This movie has a lot to say and
says it very well.
Smith has put together quite an ensemble here and they
all work really well together. Damon and Affleck, who go way
back as we know, have great chemistry as the two angels.
Jason Lee, another Smith alumni, is great as the evil
Azrael. Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith) are
always great, while Fiorentino does a great job as Bethany.
Chris Rock is hilarious and Rufus and Salma Hayek does a
pretty good job with her character. Even though Alan Rickman
has a smaller role, I liked watching him.
This is Smith's first foray in really widescreen
terrority, and while he discusses on one of the commentaries
people blasting him for it, I think it works really well.
The film features some nice editing and a lot of great
camera shots. This film is surprisingly technical and
actually works well that way. Smith was always a strong
writer, but I think with each outing he becomes even more of
a great director. I look forward to seeing what he does
next. "Dogma" is really well shot film.
Smith once again delivers a fine film complete with funny
lines, pop culture references and great acting. Though the
whole religon deal will be a turn off to some, it shouldn't
be. Sit back and enjoy "Dogma".
"Dogma" is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, and
it ranks as one of Columbia/Tri-Star's best transfers ever.
Despite some blemishes, specks and scratches that appear
here and there, as well as some shimmering and noise,
everything else is perfect. The transfer is pretty sharp,
though at times it can be a tad soft. I didn't notice much
grain, while colors are well saturated and black levels are
dead on. Fleshtones and hues are accurate while detail is
very good. A superb transfer that I was very, very pleased
with. A full screen presentation is also included.
With a 5.1 Dolby Digital track in English, "Dogma" has
some surprisingly good audio considering the material
involved. The climax sounds great, while the action scenes
such as killings, the poop monster and the train scene bring
the back speakers to life. .1 LFE is pretty good and the
music sounds really nice through the speakers. The dialogue
is clear and crisp and not distorted, while nothing
overpowers it. Overall, a nice mix. English closed captions,
French, Spanish and English subtitles are included, plus
Dolby Surround mixes in English, French and Spanish.
The Theatrical Trailer. A special edition is due
out in the future though so I'd wait for that.
"Dogma" is another fine View Askew effort. This DVD
sports a great presentation, but wait for the special
edition of the film. If you haven't seen the film, check it
out. And don't be cautious of the religous content.
 (4/5 - NOT included in
final score)
 (4.5/5)
(4/5)
 (0.5/5)
 (3/5,
NOT an average)
| 