DOGMA

Kevin Smiths fourth feature, was met with controversy from the Catholic Church, claiming that the film was blasphemous to there religion. Of course most of the protestors had not even seen the movie itself and were going of what they’d read, and obviously didn’t know that Smith himself is a devout Catholic him self and visits church every Sunday.

Dogma was Smiths first script and was meant to come straight after Clerks, but eventually came after Smith made Chasing Amy (Hence the “..Promise” at the end credits.)

Telling the story of two fallen angels, Loki and Bartleby (Affleck and Damon). Who find out about a way for them to get back into heaven. A church in New Jersey is holding a ceremony that will clear all of your sins when you enter through the doors. Their plan is to enter it, cut off their wings and enter heaven as mortals. But there's only one problem that they never thought of. This would prove god wrong, and for the lack of a better term, bugger everything up and destroy existence, as we know it.

Bethany, a young women who works at an abortion centre, is losing her faith until she is visited by the Metaron (another angel played by Alan Rickman) who tells Bethany of the trouble approaching and that she must help stop it. There is also another problem; god is missing. Jay and Silent Bob and Rufus, a black apostle, join her on her “mission” to stop the renegade angels in this road movie with a twist.

Although the film at times is a little messy due to an hour and a bit being cut from the final print due to it being too long, the film is still hugely enjoyable. With Smith regular Jason Lee giving one of his finest performances to date as the evil Azrael. And the beautiful Salma Hayek turns up as a stripping muse. Great performances all round really, watch out for a certain Alanis Morrisette as female god at the end. Next on the agenda for Smith is “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” and hopefully after that he’ll make his long awaited Fletch movie. Can’t wait.

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