The story of Dogma is that of two fallen angels, Loki and Bartleby,
who were banished to Wisconsin by G-d for disobeying. They have found a loophole to get
back into heaven. They have to go into a church in Red Bank, New Jersey. Linda Fiorentino
plays Bethany, a young catholic woman thats works in an abortion clinic with Janeane
Garafalo. She is sent on a holy mission to stop them from entering the church. This
mission is given to her by Metatron (Alan Rickman), the holiest angel
that speaks for G-d AKA G-ds head cabinet member. She is assisted in this mission by
the Kevin Smith regular's Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith) and by Rufus
(Chris Rock), the African American 13th Apostle who has been cut out of the bible and a
muse of heaven named Serendipity (Salma Hayek) . The existence of the world is in the hand
of this eclectic bunch. Besides stopping the angels, they must battle Azrael (Jason Lee),
muse of Lucifer, and his group of deadly rollerbladers.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were excellent. It seems like
whenever they get together a good movie decides to get made. I can't say the same for Rounders,
Armageddon and Phantoms. Saving Private Ryan doesn't count because
Damon was barely in that movie. Damon's best moment in the film was in the first scene he
is featured in when he convinces a nun that G-d is a big sham. It's a very intelligent and
gut wrenchingly funny scene. Affleck is the softer and smarter of the two. He is
low-key/calming factor to Loki maniacal nature.
Jay and Silent Bob were impressive as usual. Although I think
Jay went a little too crazy on the expletives at certain points. It seemed a bit unnatural
and contrived like many points in the movie. People in the real world don't make speeches
all the time. Another Smith regular, Jason Lee, is probably the best part of the film. His
portrayal of Azrael is just so superb. George Carlin puts ina good perofrmance as a
Cardinal who is trying to bring peopel back to the church through modernizing it. He is
very funny. Chris Rock is decent as Rufus. He's on screen a lot but he's doing the same
shtick. He makes loud jokes about African American injustices. I guess if something works
milk it right. That's the American way.
As for our other female lead, Linda Fiorentino, her acting
talents match her looks. Decent looks, decent actress. Nothing special. There must be no
good actresses out there because lately all I've seen is women ruining movies. Whether
it's Patricia Arquette in Bringing Out The Dead or Stigmata, Diane Venora in The
Insider or Hayek in Dogma, there seems to be a real shortage of good female
actors. I could probably count on my fingers the number of Good Actresses in Hollywood. Let's see there is Frances McDormand, Annette
Bening, Susan Surandon, Jodie Foster, and Gwenyth Paltrow (sometimes). I'm talking about the ones in major films, there
are many indie actresses like Emily Watson and Cate Blanchett who are exceptional. Dogma
has taken mediocre mainstream actresses and put them in an indie picture to boost ticket
sales and to have more big names on the marquee. I mean there are actresses out there that
their movies make money bit they just aren't that good.
This list includes Ashley Judd, Winona Ryder and Drew Barrymore. Sorry about the rant, things just must be said
sometimes.
Kevin Smith's direction is superb. The special effects are
very cool. I loved the angel wings. They are really awesome. The editing is nicely done
with cool transitional movements from scene to scene but the movie does run a little long.
I have heard from many sources that this film originally clocked in at around 3 hours,
which would have been way too long.
Although Dogma has some flaws overall it is a
decent movie. It's a very funny satirical look at today's idea of religion, our way of
thinking and so much more. When the film becomes contrived, that's when it stumbles. Dogma
is just an elaborate and thought provoking joke. It definitely proves Mr. Smith has read
his bible. It has good direction and special effects. If you're in the mood for a really
funny movie, Dogma might be your cup of tea.
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