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Carole Mikita ReportingAfter all of the buildup and buzz surrounding Mel Gibson's film ‘The Passion of the Christ’, Utah critics today had their chance to see the film. Their comments following this morning's screening, included "Powerful, artistically well-done, but very violent."
The questions many are asking this week are, ‘Should I see it? Should our teenage children see it?’
Every critic we talked with says Mel Gibson made a stunning film, the movie he set out to do. Scourging and crucifiction, we know were brutal forms of torture and death, and what critics and insiders say it that the audience is there with the character of Jesus.
One who saw it today said, a person's faith experience may determine a great deal about whether this film experience is too much or a valuable lesson.
Jeff Vice, Deseret Morning News Film Critic: "It really has to do with their own sensibilities and how much violence they are able to stomach. I mean, I'm sure there are a lot of very religious people who will be able to stay through the entire film and will be very moved by the experience, but I think there are a lot of others who will be put off."
Jeff Vice joins Richard Roeper, who we talked with last week in saying "The Passion of the Christ" is so graphic in some scenes that it really deserved an NC-17 rating, instead of just an 'R’.
