Just watched the Passion of The Christ again today. Seems very appropriate for Good Friday. I know that meditation and books are superior, but sometimes there's a place for such a movie.
A very short review of the movie:
Pros:
1. Catholic Theology of the Mass in-your-face during the Crucifixion, as the movie shifts between the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. You can tell the movie had a Catholic behind it, and a Trad at that.
2. Original languages, including Ecclesiastical pronunciation of Latin. Did wonders for immersion and realism. Again, you can tell a Trad was at the wheel. I love it!
3. Realistic portrayal (casting) of Jesus and Mary -- no small feat. Jesus didn't have blue eyes.
4. Mary wasn't portrayed as a weak, hysterical woman during the Passion and Crucifixion -- another big win. Mary really was a strong woman. Not in the way feminists imagine women should be, but with a true strength rooted in God and His love.
Cons:
1. Mel tried too much to please the Jєωs. He should have included more darkness (akin to night, with people freaking out) after Christ's death, a bit more devastation from rocks rending asunder, and the veil of the temple was kind of barely there. They should have shown the huge 1-foot thick veil ripping in two more clearly.
2. The Jєωs never said "His blood be upon us and upon our children."
3. The whole she-devil thing with the creepy baby she was holding and all that -- wasn't really necessary. I gather it was supposed to be some kind of nemesis or "foil" for Our Lord and/or Blessed Mother. But still, it was kind of out of place. Certainly not Scriptural!
4. Judas' bowels didn't burst asunder and litter the Haceldama (field of blood). Other than that, the Judas ѕυιcιdє scene was realistic and well done. Again, the creepy kids (actually devils) driving him to despair -- kind of out of place.