Dogma (1999)
Stars: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino
Runtime: 130 minutes
Synopsis: An abortion clinic worker with a special heritage is called upon to save the existence of humanity from being negated by two renegade angels trying to exploit a loop-hole and reenter Heaven.
Performances: 7/10
Screenplay: 6/10
Special Effects: 3/10
Costumes/Makeup: 5/10
Editing: 5/10
Cinematography: 4/10
Score/Soundtrack: 4/10
Entertainment Factor: 6/10
Verdict: Kevin Smith is a director whose passion is a driving force that has to be admired, but who I've always felt works more efficiently when working under budgetary restraints. "Clerks" (made with a budget of less than 30,000$) and "Chasing Amy" (made with a budget only 250,000$) are my favorite movies of his and also (not so) coincidentally his least expensive ones.
"Dogma" takes a genius concept that serves as a hilarious commentary on organized religion (mainly Christianity), but unfortunately is let down by its focus to be more spectacle than smart. The budget of $10 million definitely gave Smith liberties he never had before, and the director never quite knew when to hit the pause button. The end result? A funny but goofy film held together by an interesting concept and a cast that includes the likes of Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Alan Rickman, Salma Hayek, or Chris Rock. The comedy doesn't entirely hold up 20 years after its release, and the poor CGI used give it a straight-to-DVD vibe. It may have given us the iconic Buddy Christ meme, but other than that, I can't say that any other elements of it can be considered to be even close to memorable.
"Dogma" checks all the boxes of a cult classic, and I definitely had fun watching it. It may not be of the quality of some of Smith's earlier work, but it's definitely not as bad as some of his later projects.
"Dogma" takes a genius concept that serves as a hilarious commentary on organized religion (mainly Christianity), but unfortunately is let down by its focus to be more spectacle than smart. The budget of $10 million definitely gave Smith liberties he never had before, and the director never quite knew when to hit the pause button. The end result? A funny but goofy film held together by an interesting concept and a cast that includes the likes of Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Alan Rickman, Salma Hayek, or Chris Rock. The comedy doesn't entirely hold up 20 years after its release, and the poor CGI used give it a straight-to-DVD vibe. It may have given us the iconic Buddy Christ meme, but other than that, I can't say that any other elements of it can be considered to be even close to memorable.
"Dogma" checks all the boxes of a cult classic, and I definitely had fun watching it. It may not be of the quality of some of Smith's earlier work, but it's definitely not as bad as some of his later projects.
FINAL GRADE: 6/10
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