Dogma (S.E.) DVD Review:


The Movie

I'm a fan of Kevin Smith's movies. I find that he finds a way to try to use more verbal wit rather than slapstick comedy when he writes. His films, although full of profanity and dick and fart jokes, are usually deep on serious subjects. Take Chasing Amy for example - it's a story about love and how hard it is to be in it. Dogma is no exception. Dogma is a story about faith and trying to find one's own path to God.

"Affleck and I wrote 'Good Will Hunting, got it?!"

Dogma is director Kevin Smith's answer to the religious epic. It is a tale of Bethany (Fiorentino), a woman who works at an abortion clinic who is tapped by the "Voice of God" (Rickman) to stop two fallen angel from entering
a church in New Jersey and end up negating all existence. However, she will have the help of the 13th Apostle (who was omitted from the Bible because he is black), a muse with writer's block, and the weed smoking hetero-lifemates, Jay and Silent Bob.

The acting is top notch. Fiorentino is strong as Bethany (who was originally going to be played by Joey Lauren Adams.) Matt Damon is fun as Loki as is Ben Affleck's Bartleby. Alan Rickman is a hoot as the cynical Metatron, the part just wouldn't be the same without him. Chris Rock's Rufus is possibly the greatest bit of acting in this whole film. Rock is able to shoot out one liners as well as give sage-like advice, sometimes in the same scene, with no trouble at all. It seems harder to find actor who can do that in today's films. Jason Lee is always a pleasure. His unique delivery and style gives Azrael an interesting look. Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith are Jay and Silent Bob - they just do their thing. Salma Hayek is energetic as Serendipity. She looks like she is having fun all throughout the film. Finally, George Carlin's Cardinal Glick. Perfect role for him. When I read the script many years ago, I could almost hear Carlin's voice speaking the lines.

This is a movie that I can't find any real problems with. I enjoy the acting. I think this isn't Smith's best film, Chasing Amy fills that spot, but it falls in second place. It is, however, his ballest choice.

9 out of 10

The Video

Very nice transfer. Nice and Clear.

8 out of 10

The Audio

It's your standard 5.1 and 2-Channel Dolby. Nice and clear, but nothing special.

8 out of 10

The Extras

Disk 1:

-Cast and crew commentary.
-Technical commentary.
-Follow the Buddy Christ to even more features.

Disc 2:
-Storyboards to three major scenes.
-100 mins of Deleted Scenes.
-Outtakes.
-Jay and Silent Bob Secret Stash spot.
-Trailers.
-Saints and Sinners.

The special features on Dogma are both excellent and annoying. Sometimes, at the same time. One of the biggest problems is in the commentary tracks.

For one, the cast and crew commentary is so jokey that no information is really given so a second commentary track had to be made to go over what was missed. When I first heard the cast and crew commentary, I thought nothing about it - I've heard it before. It's similar to the tracks from Smith's other films. I didn't have a problem with it for a while, then the track begins to go overboard and pretty much all information about the film disappears.

The second commentary tracks makes up for it. There is another problem with the commentary tracks, sometimes words and names will be bleeped out. It becomes very annoying, very quick.

I was never able to access the Buddy Christ features - or if I did, I never realized it.

The storyboards are interesting and give you an idea as to how the massacre at the Mooby Headquarters was originally going to take place.

Here's a list of what was cut from the movie:

1. Some more dialogue after Jay and Silent Bob rescue Bethany from the Stygian Triplets.
2. More with Cardinal Glick and the Catholicism Wow! campaign and more Buddy Christ!!!
3. Bethany's backstory.
4. Azrael's introduction is extended.
5. Loki and Bartleby's bus sequence is extended.
6. More with Azrael when he is going to summon the Golgothan, and more at the Mooby restaurant.
7. The infamous "Fat Albert" sequence.
8. The aftermath of Loki's slaughter and Serendipity's backstory.
9. Extended sequence of Azrael in the toy store.
10. Rufus and Bethany talk about Jesus on the Train.
11. The second Star Wars reference.
12. Extended campfire sequence.
13. Extended meeting with Cardinal Glick.
14. Azrael's backstory and the true nature of Hell.
15. Cardinal Glick's fate.
16. The hospital showdown.

Most of the scenes are excellent (especially Azrael's discussion about Hell), but some derail the film completely (the Fat Albert sequence). It's nice to see these scenes and also hear why they were removed from the film.

7 out of 10

Overall, this is a nice presentation of Kevin Smith's fourth New Jersey film. While it does have a few problems, this DVD will have fans jumping for joy.

Movie
9

Video
8

Audio
8

Extras
7

Final (not an average)
8

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