So what happens when you give God the finger? That depends on whether you're a character in Dogma or the filmmaker.
As with any comedy/satire, the jokes are hit and miss, but most of them land at least in the vicinity of the target. But at 128 minutes, the film probably goes on a good 15 minutes too long, because some of the comic energy dissipates in an ending that launches into a full-blown fantasy "Ghostbusters" style conflict.
But "Dogma" is a lot of fun. From Jay and Bob hanging around an abortion clinic hoping to score with "loose women" to those foul-mouthed fallen angels, there's enough character and situation comedy to keep the film moving crisply along. Add topical allusions (John Hughes takes a few direct hits) and some irreverent Bible references ("Noah was a drunk, and look what he accomplished") to the dogmatic slams and you've got a religious satire almost as potent as "Monty Python's Life of Brian."
Video:
This 1080p release is as good as "Dogma" has looked, with minimal grain and medium-to strong black levels providing a solid amount of detail but a lighter picture in some sequences. Edge distortion is at a minimum, though colors look to be not quite fully saturated. All in all, though, I have no complaints. This is nit-picky stuff. "Dogma" is presented in 2.40:1 aspect ratio, Smith's first foray into CinemaScope.
Audio:
The audio options are English or French Dolby 5.1 TrueHD, which delivers a decent-enough sound. Rear speaker action seems a little sporadic to me, with occasional bursts coming from the effects speakers that draw attention to the fact that they haven't been used as much in other instances. The spread across the front speakers also seems a little narrower than some of the best releases, which spread the sound so evenly across the room that you can't pinpoint the source. But again, this is nit-picky stuff. The balance is good, the bass robust enough, and the mid-range and high notes clear and precise.
Extras:
Two commentaries are included (which are carry-overs from the DVD): a lively, nonstop chat- and joke-fest featuring Smith, producer Scott Mosier, View Askew "historian" Vincent Pereira, and actors Affleck, Mewes, and Lee. It's a rollicking good time, with Smith cracking plenty of wise. The second commentary is more serious, with Smith joined by Mosier and Pereira and focusing more on the technical aspects of production.
Though there are close to 100 minutes of deleted scenes (16 extended ones), I didn't find them as entertaining as I'd hoped. Smith and Pereira appear on-camera to introduce the clips, with Smith saying they just weren't funny enough . . . and Pereira adding "or the film was too long." But the scenes show Smith to be right. They're just not funny enough.
A better-than-average blooper reel is also included, along with storyboards, a trailer, and a commercial for Jay and Bob's Secret Stash in Redbank, New Jersey.
Bottom Line:
For irreverent religious satire, "Monty Python's Life of Brian" still takes the prize, but "Dogma" is a respectable runner-up. And in Blu-ray it's even more enjoyable.
But "Dogma" is a lot of fun. From Jay and Bob hanging around an abortion clinic hoping to score with "loose women" to those foul-mouthed fallen angels, there's enough character and situation comedy to keep the film moving crisply along. Add topical allusions (John Hughes takes a few direct hits) and some irreverent Bible references ("Noah was a drunk, and look what he accomplished") to the dogmatic slams and you've got a religious satire almost as potent as "Monty Python's Life of Brian."
Video:
This 1080p release is as good as "Dogma" has looked, with minimal grain and medium-to strong black levels providing a solid amount of detail but a lighter picture in some sequences. Edge distortion is at a minimum, though colors look to be not quite fully saturated. All in all, though, I have no complaints. This is nit-picky stuff. "Dogma" is presented in 2.40:1 aspect ratio, Smith's first foray into CinemaScope.
Audio:
The audio options are English or French Dolby 5.1 TrueHD, which delivers a decent-enough sound. Rear speaker action seems a little sporadic to me, with occasional bursts coming from the effects speakers that draw attention to the fact that they haven't been used as much in other instances. The spread across the front speakers also seems a little narrower than some of the best releases, which spread the sound so evenly across the room that you can't pinpoint the source. But again, this is nit-picky stuff. The balance is good, the bass robust enough, and the mid-range and high notes clear and precise.
Extras:
Two commentaries are included (which are carry-overs from the DVD): a lively, nonstop chat- and joke-fest featuring Smith, producer Scott Mosier, View Askew "historian" Vincent Pereira, and actors Affleck, Mewes, and Lee. It's a rollicking good time, with Smith cracking plenty of wise. The second commentary is more serious, with Smith joined by Mosier and Pereira and focusing more on the technical aspects of production.
Though there are close to 100 minutes of deleted scenes (16 extended ones), I didn't find them as entertaining as I'd hoped. Smith and Pereira appear on-camera to introduce the clips, with Smith saying they just weren't funny enough . . . and Pereira adding "or the film was too long." But the scenes show Smith to be right. They're just not funny enough.
A better-than-average blooper reel is also included, along with storyboards, a trailer, and a commercial for Jay and Bob's Secret Stash in Redbank, New Jersey.
Bottom Line:
For irreverent religious satire, "Monty Python's Life of Brian" still takes the prize, but "Dogma" is a respectable runner-up. And in Blu-ray it's even more enjoyable.
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[release]23252[/release]