DOGMA
Written and Directed by
Starring
Images Synopsis (without Spoilers)
Metatron [Alan Rickman],aka the Voice of God, goes to Bethany [Linda Fiorentino] (ironically, a nurse at an abortion clinic). She is to be the heroine that saves the world from chaos. Metatron explains that if the angels are allowed to enter heaven once more, then God's command will have been reversed. For that to happen, the world would be encompassed by turmoil and chaos; this loophole would overturn the Power of God.
Though Bethany is reluctant to get involved, various others help her in her unlikely journey. A naked 13th Apostle [Chris Rock] and a stripping Muse [Salma Hayek] enter to assist her; Jay [Jason Mewes] and Silent Bob [Kevin Smith] also accompany them.
Reviews (with Spoilers)
A typical Kevin Smith movie, Dogma portrays an imaginary world mixed with the real one. However, unlike Clerks, Mallrats, or Chasing Amy, Dogma involves many supernatural characters and situations. However, these individuals do not escape ridicule either, and so the Kevin Smith universe is all that it should be.
Though religion is usually a tough subject to deal with, Dogma portrays it very lightly and simplistically. The interpretation is rather unorthodox, and I can see where some may be offended by the humor of such a serious subject. But Kevin Smith has a different idea; his intentions are not to ridicule those serious believers but to lighten the subject. In the end, good wins out over evil, and the world is restored to order. It seems less a movie about religion than a movie about life and learning... and isn't that what religion promotes? Whether Smith is a devout Christian or not, his point is not to devalue religion. For those serious critics, Smith may be emphasizing change or transformation of the spirit through hard times; for others, it is just a typical Kevin Smith movie... one that you go to for laughs and good entertainment.
I would recommend this film to those with open minds and a sense of humor.
Kevin Smith
Ben Affleck ..... Bartleby/Barry Matt Damon ..... Loki/Larry Linda Fiorentino ..... Bethany Sloane Salma Hayek ..... Serendipity Jason Lee ..... Azrael Alan Rickman ..... Metatron Chris Rock ..... Rufus (the 13th Apostle) Jason Mewes ..... Jay Kevin Smith ..... Silent Bob
The unlikely savior
Bartleby and Loki, a large crowd behind them
Bartleby and Loki at the airport
The 13th Apostle, Jay, and the Muse
After years on Earth, two fallen angels, Bartleby [Ben Affleck] and Loki [Matt Damon], figure out a way to get back into heaven. While a New Jersey church is revamping the "Jesus figure" into a "Buddy Jesus," the angels have their own little plan. By walking into the church, the angels' sins are supposed to be forgiven, and they will have to be allowed back into heaven. (Here, angels are their own species... angels born as angels, humans born as humans.)
This is a movie almost parodying all those "end of life as we know it" movies that have been surfacing since the year 2000 has taken hold of us all. Dogma is a movie based on the end of the world, but does not even take itself seriously. From beginning to end, it is filled with a jabbing sense of humor that the viewer cannot miss. (My favorite is "Mooby," the Golden Cow--Kevin Smith is making fun of either worshipped idols, capitalism, or both.)
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