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"The Passion of Christ" - My Review:

Sometimes, with a movie such as this, one realizes that there is sooo much to say that sometimes one bothers to say hardly anything at all except maybe for just a simple; "It was so cool" or "Wow! What an awesome movie". Granted, some people have been saying MUCH more than that about *this* particular film. Everything from; "It's very Biblically based and follows the scriptures." to the well known accusations of - "This a an "anti-semitic" film - portraying the Jews as the ones who killed Jesus".

We've *all* heard just about every comment (positive and negative) made about this film. There doesn't even seem to be any "middle ground" so to speak. It seems that either people hate it or they love it. That they seem to think either it's Biblically sound or that it lacks Biblical standing - and *some* of these comments have been made from people who have yet to even *see* the movie for themselves. Well, whether you like the film or not ( whether you've actually *seen* the film or not ) one thing IS for certain that I *think* we can all agree on. This film will be the topic of a lot of discussions and highly debated for quite some time.

Well, after seeing it for myself, I really wanted to write my thoughts down while they were still fresh in my mind. Unfortunately, like I said, there *is* so much to say (without giving away the style from which this movie was created) that I'm not even sure where to begin.

Personally, as a girl who was raised in a Christian home (accepting Christ myself when I was four years of age ) as well as receiving most of my childhood and some of my adolescent education from a Christian school, I was told the story of Jesus' death many times ( as most of us *have* been told to a degree at one time or another ). At one point, ( I believe it was my freshman year in high school ), I was taught along with my classmates more about the customs of Jesus' day and was also given a little insight to the details of His crucifixion as well as the details of the many sufferings He received leading *up* to the crucifixion itself. Of course, though, I was told these things in moderation based upon the age I was then and how much I could handle at that time.

Let's face it, *anytime* you read the Bible (or almost *any* book for that matter) you can always get *something* new from it depending on where you are in your life. The same goes for this movie. I believe (for me anyway) that this will be one of those films that - because it is directly from the Word - I will be able to watch it MANY times and still be able to get something new from it.

Was it Biblically sound...yes. Did Mel Gibson as an artist take certain "liberties" to drive home the message clearer....yes....However, it was still Biblically sound. Was it extremely violent....yes! Though none of the violence ( in my opinion ) was unnecessary for it showed not only what Jesus DID go through but it showed it in such a descriptive manner that each audience member couldn't help but to have just a little more insight to what Jesus AND the people around Him ( His accusers, His abusers, His disciples, His friends, His family ) went through themselves and what they may have been feeling.

Every expression of each character's face and body language was communicated so beautifully and in such a descriptive manner ( especially as the camera turned to "slow motion" mode ) that you could feel the emotion radiate through the screen - penetrating into each and every audience member. When the camera would pan in on Jesus face, you could plainly see His severe pain and agony. And in spite of it all - even at times when what may have even been a state of utter confusion ( just trying to piece together all of the events happening to Him ) and numbness of body and mind - all He felt for these people was love and forgiveness.

I will say this too....Mel Gibson successfully relayed the loving bond He had with all those around Him...His disciples, followers ( including Mary Magdalene )....and of course, His very own beloved mother....Mary. The whole film moved me beyond what words could begin to describe BUT it was the bond between mother and Son that proved to be *my* first true "breaking point". At one point, you could clearly see the look on Mary's face - feeling so helpless - as her Son was literally beyond her loving protective arms. Knowing that as He was being beaten and made to drag the streets *dragging* His own cross over His own body - that this was indeed the path He had to take - by Himself. Yeah, that was the point I truly broke.....sobbing uncontrollably. In the end, though, even as He hung on that cross - He looked at His mother and one of His disciples and said, "Woman behold thy son..." - then looking at His disciple He said..."Behold thy mother". Even on the cross He not only put others before Himself and forgave those who persecuted Him but He also knew how to look out for His mama :-) You gotta like that :-)

Oh, one last word. Those who say this film is "anti -semitic"? Well, as my sister told my *own* mother: "They don't have a leg to stand on.". Even though there *where* a lot of Jews who condemned Him to death, there where also those who reached out to help Him. My thoughts on anyone becoming "anti - semitic" after seeing this film is this.....if that's the way someone *leaves* the movie theater then that's the way they CAME to the theater and therefore they would just be using this film as an excuse to act out any emotion that has been festering in them from long before!