I knew when I fist heard Kevin Smith was making another movie that this was going to be good, even before I found out that all the Catholics out there were up in arms over it. That whole thing was just an added bonus. If you don't know, Kevin Smith made the ever so great movie, Clerks. After that, he went on to make Mallrats, which some say wasn't as good, but I liked it. Then, he hit mainstream with the even more popular movie Chasing Amy. Kevin Smith is a GOD!!
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Anyway, this movie is about two angels who fell from god's grace, Loki and Bartleby, played by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck *GAG*. Don't get me wrong, they're fine actors, I just have to do that or I'm gay. I think it's a law or something. Anyway, these two angels think that they've figured out a way back into heaven thanks to a new campaign called Catholicism WOW!, which was started by a religious dude played by none other than George Carlin. That's funny in and of itself.
Charged with the task of stopping them is abortion clinic worker and friend of my honey Jeanine Garofalo (god, that's hard to spell)is a chick named Bethany (Linda Fiorentino). Bethany used to be religious, but lost her faith when she found out she couldn't have babies. Then, she gets a visit from the voice of god, an angel played by Alan Rickman.
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Then, Bethany meets two prophets who save her life. These prophets... well, they're Jay and Silent Bob! WOO HOO!! In case you don't know, Silent Bob is Kevin Smith and Jay is Jason Mews. So, Bethany, Jay, and Silent Bob go on a road trip to Jersey, where the church is at the angels are trying to get to. Along the way, they meet Ruffus (RUFFUS!! George Carlin... nope, Chris Rock) and a muse played by Salma Hayek.
They also run into a bunch of other people who are played by your favorite stars of previous Kevin Smith movies, including Ariel, who is played by Jason Lee. Also keep an eye out for what in my opinion is a great example of the Green Jelly song and character, Sh*tman. Oh, this is such a great movie.
As I was saying, the group heads to Jersey to stop the two angels, but things never go smoothly. Sorry, I'm really trying to find stuff to write here, but character movies like Smith's are hard to review, because they are 90% dialog, and I can't exactly sit here and be like "So he said 'Blah blah' and then she said 'AHH!!'" See?
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As for all of the religious hoopla surrounding this movie, it was really unfounded. I mean, okay they say some stuff about religion being racist or sexist, but that all took place two-thousand years ago! I think that the people offended by this movie ARE sexist and racist and that's why they got so bent out of shape. I mean, I'm a semi-religious person... sometimes... and I didn't find this move insulting in the least. I think that you have to watch it with a brain and a sense of humor and not a bible. The movie does make some points...
How was it? I think it was the best movie done by Kevin Smith, next to Clerks. Chasing Amy was okay, but I think it was my least favorite. Dogma is funny, it's got action, drama, and personality. You just can't find a better movie than this. You just can't, it's impossible. I mean, just wait till you see God. I know when I saw God everything just made sense again, like when I was a kid and everything was okay... I love God almost as much as I love Jeanine Garofalo.
Rating: 9 Snoochy Bootchies
Web Sites:
Official Site - http://www.dogma-movie.com
