Deliriously funny!
Dogma (1999)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:122
Fresh:82
Rotten:40
Average Rating:6.2/10
Consensus: Provocative and audacious, Dogma entertains without overtly offending.
Runtime: 2 hrs 13 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Imaginative theology and a bigger than usual budget make Kevin Smith's fourth film a kind of post-Catholic fantasy that only a comic-book enthusiast of his caliber could dream up. The plot is set... Imaginative theology and a bigger than usual budget make Kevin Smith's fourth film a kind of post-Catholic fantasy that only a comic-book enthusiast of his caliber could dream up. The plot is set in motion by two banished angels, Loki (Matt Damon) and Bartleby (Ben Affleck). After a few millenia in Wisconsin, they've discovered a loophole in Catholic doctrine that would allow them back into heaven--but prove the fallibility of God and destroy the universe. Unaware of the peril, they make their way to New Jersey to receive a plenary indulgence. Meanwhile, God has dispatched a seraphim (Alan Rickman) to recruit lapsed-Catholic Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) to stop the angels. She finds help in muses, prophets (Jay and Silent Bob), and the forgotten 13th apostle, Rufus (Chris Rock). Before long, all hell breaks loose (literally), and God (Alanis Morrisette) has to put in an appearance of her own. The success of the film is in the juxtaposition of Smith's trademark acerbic attitude and witty dialogue against the enormous canvas of Christian iconography and apocalyptic conflict. [More]
Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Linda Fiorentino, George Carlin
Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Linda Fiorentino, George Carlin, Salma Hayek, Chris Rock, Alan Rickman, Jason Lee, Bud Cort, Alanis Morissette, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Janeane Garofalo, Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Guinevere Turner
Director: Kevin Smith
Director: Kevin Smith
Screenwriter: Kevin Smith
Producer: Scott Mosier
Composer: Howard Shore
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Reviews for Dogma
The fact that it has a great, intriguing premise only stimulates my dislike -- it promises great things, and never delivers the goods.
Takes a comically cockeyed path in its attempt to provide a hopeful view of humanity, but its true success is more modest. It shows that there just may be hope for Kevin Smith.
The satire contains as much foul language, bathroom humor, and sexual innuendo as other gross-out comedies aimed at primarily young audiences, along with occasional insights into the value of religion as a living force.
To take this film seriously is a big mistake, which is why I have no sympathy for protesters of this film.
The movie simply demonstrates the limitations of Smith's vision and humorous abilities, rather than any satirical prowess.
Smith is clearly as passionate about his faith as he is frank about his problems with it.
Dogma is not supposed to be taken seriously, which is as it should be.
As always with Kevin Smith's films, the strongest element is the writing, and he's reached a new level here.
What happens next is just funny stuff, yet very intelligent at the same time.
Smith has crammed the film with enough genuinely funny moments and insightful bits to make it well worth seeing.
The film runs about one-half hour too long and really outstays its welcome when it features pop diva Alanis Morissette as God.
Kevin Smith needs to reign in some of the effects he uses simply for generating cheap laughs in favor of a more focused narrative.
I recommend it anyway, for the way it kids around with the finer points of a religion while embracing its high ideas.
Once the ball is put in play, the viewer must endure a flat second half, indulging torturously static explanations delivered by characters so garrulous they make those of Eric Rohmer seem as tight-lipped as Silent Bob.
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