Dogma – Review

Another total winner from Kevin Smith comes in the form of Dogma, which is a comedic satire about religion, friendship, shit monsters, and burger joints. It has proven to be controversial, but honestly should be seen for the comedic gem that it is. It has a bigger scope then Smith’s earlier films and an all-star cast to match.

Beginning in Asbury Park, New Jersey, a happy bearded man is suddenly attacked by three young roller-skating hockey goons. This seemingly ordinary criminal act sets off a large chain of cosmic events, and lands this John Doe (Cort) in the hospital.

In Red Bank, New Jersey, Cardinal Glick (Carlin) looks to reinvent Catholicism, looking for better press. The crucifix image is retired, and replaced with “Buddy Christ,” a newly inspiring and happier sigil. Meanwhile, over in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Loki (Damon) strolls along in an airport with a nun, thoroughly explaining why he does not believe in God. Bartleby (Affleck) watches, eating popcorn with a smirk. The thing is, these two “men” know in fact that God is real, despite slinging their non-faith to others around them.

Loki and Bartleby are angels which were exiled from heaven, however with the new Buddy Christ and Catholicism Wow campaign fun by Cardinal Glick, they find a loophole that will get them back into the promised land again. Loki even has a plan to punish the wicked on the way, and rain down vengeance. His target? Mooby the Golden Calf, mascot of a burger franchise.

Need more plotlines? Well, let’s add Bethany Sloan (Fiorentino) back in McHenry, Illinois. She is a church-going abortion clinic worker, along with Liz (Garofalo), who mocks her attendance. Bethany is given a special quest to stop Loki and Bartleby by seraphim Metatron (Rickman). Her noble prophets on her holy crusade will be Jay (Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith), as well as Rufus, the 13^th Apostle. Will they all be able to survive the demon Azrael (Lee) and stop the wayward angels from their loophole back into heaven?

Dogma is packed full of characters and converging plot lines which all come together as the film drives along. The atmosphere presented is holy, satirical and massively comedic. The script is smart, clever and quite funny, with the stacked cast rocking their roles.

Kevin Smith throws a lot into this one, and the blend completely works. His humor’s crudeness is slightly more contained than his prior films, but it is still totally there. The stakes are very high, and it is a much bigger comedy than his grounded and focused prior works. There is a ton to like about Dogma, and all of it is well done.

This was probably a hard sell for studios, but we are lucky it was made. Come check out the absurdly entertaining plot liens and excellent characters within. Snoogans.