Plot: What’s it about?
I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before in my reviews of Kevin Smith’s movies, but I distinctly remember watching a segment on MTV News (that was where people my age got all their news before the internet) and Tabitha Soren profiled Kevin Smith and his new movie Clerks. As we all know, that film led to a few others in the 90’s, namely Mallrats and then the critically-acclaimed Chasing Amy. This also gave rise to Ben Affleck paving the way for him to be in Armageddon. Depending on your view of Affleck, that’s either a good thing or not. So in 1999 when Dogma was released, it wasn’t without its controversy. When you attack the Catholic church, get ready for retaliation. Disney, who owned the rights to the film, dropped it and Harvey and Bob Weinstein took the reigns. Given what happened with them, the movie fell into relative obscurity with physical media drying up, it wasn’t available to rent or stream and it wasn’t played on cable television. All was lost…or was it? At any rate, let’s get started.
Bartelby (Ben Affleck) and Loki (Matt Damon) were once glorious angels, but now they’ve been banished to Wisconsin, never to return to the splendors of heaven. But their stay in the Cheese State could be headed toward an end, as they’ve discovered a loophole in God’s word. If the two can pass through the doorway of a certain church, their souls will be renewed and when they perish, they will return to heaven. In the process, the word of God will be proven fallible and then, all of creation will vanish. In an effort to prevent this Rufus, the unknown 13th apostle (Chris Rock) has been sent to gather some help to stop Loki and Bartelby. He soon joins forces with Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) and the slackers Jay & Silent Bob, all of whom have some kind of connection to the issue, it’s just unknown what that is. Can this band of folks manage to stop the renegade angels before they undo God’s work, even with the aid of Metatron (Alan Rickman) and a gorgeous muse, Serendipity (Salma Hayek)?
I personally found nothing “offensive” about the film. Then again, religion isn’t really a cornerstone of my life so I’m probably not the best person to ask. But I will say that I enjoyed seeing this after quite some time. Casting is spot on, giving both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck ample screen time (and this was fresh off their Oscar win for Good Will Hunting) and let’s not forget the late, great Alan Rickman. Rickman was known for two roles in his expansive career, his role as Hans Gruber in Die Hard and as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. I mean…his role as Metatron predates the latter! Throw in Chris Rock, George Carlin and Selma Hayek and you’ve got yourself a winner. Amen.
Video: How’s it look?
Dogma finds itself looking the best it ever has courtesy of a new 4K image complete with Dolby Vision. I broke out my old 2012 Blu-ray (yes, I still have mine) and did some side by side comparisons (see below) and, to me, it wasn’t so much the detail that’s been improved, rather the color. And I think that’s the most appealing quality to a lot of new 4K restorations. There won’t be a night and day difference, but it’s just the sum of a lot of little things that make for an overall pleasing viewing experience. The 2.39:1 (a first for Smith, using scope) HEVC 4K image still has a bit of grain reminiscent of when the movie was shot. So if you’re yearning to see Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s early 00’s haircuts in all their dated glory (and in 4K) – the wait is over. Of note, the final comparison of Selma Hayek’s character is a bit off on the 4K side as it wasn’t an exact “freeze frame” but I just wanted to take a picture of Selma Hayek in a bra. Is that a sin?
Audio: How’s it sound?
Not to be outdone, we get an upgrade in the sound mix as well. The original Dolby TrueHD mix has been given the Dolby Atmos blessing. Like the video, it’s not a night and day difference, rather it’s just a bit more…active (for lack of a better term). The third act get the most action out of the speakers, but as is the case with most of Smith’s films it’s the dialogue that really keeps things moving. The front stage shoulders the burden of most of the action and I found it a bit more intriguing, but nothing that blew the lid off the place. Nevertheless, a worthy upgrade.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Smith’s films are usually packed to the gills with extras and this is no exception, with several new features being added for this release. Let’s dive in.
Disc One (4K)
- Audio Commentary – Kevin Smith, Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Jason Mewes, Scott Mosier and Vincent Pereira
- Technical Audio Commentary – Kevin Smith, Scott Mosier and Vincent Pereira
- Physical Media Introduction with Kevin Smith – Though not listed as a special feature, per se, we are immediately greeted by Smith who gives us, as expected, an introduction and him praising the format. Ironically, this is the guy who led the charge in the fledgling days of DVD with a “F@#K DVD” cheer on a LaserDisc (at least I think it was a LaserDisc). At any rate, we’ve come full circle and at least Smith admits it.
- Revelations: Making Dogma – Kevin Smith give us the history of the project, originally entitled “GOD”, from the Genesis (pardon the pun) and a screenplay which predated Clerks. He tells of his desire to be a priest, then just “being on stage” and then being a filmmaker and all the trials and tribulations of what came with that. It’s good to have an 80 minute documentary from a “looking back standpoint” and if you’re a fan of the film – this is a must see.
- Establishing Shot with Robert Yeoman – Director of Photography Robert Yeoman also looks back at the film, gives his comments (then and now) as to what needed to be done and how shots were presented, but by and large feels content as to how well the film has held up visually.
- Dogma Q & A – Smith, in another new segment, gives us a self-effacing introduction with his partner in crime Joe Black and fields some questions from the audience about the film, his life and so forth.
- More Sermons from the Mount – We hear an anecdote about how Alanis Morisette became involved in the project (spoiler: she plays God), about Smith’s early social media presence and how the Weinstein weren’t able to comprehend the power of it and so forth. It’s yet another “look back” that seems so much more important now than it was at the time.
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- 25th Anniversary Teaser and Theatrical Trailer
Disc Two (Blu-ray)
- Audio Commentary – Kevin Smith, Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Jason Mewes Scott Mosier and Vincent Pereira
- Technical Audio Commentary – Kevin Smith, Scott Mosier and Vincent Pereira
- Introduction by Kevin Smith – Though not listed as a special feature, per se, we are immediately greeted by Smith who gives us, as expected, an introduction and him praising the format. Ironically, this is the guy who led the charge in the fledgling days of DVD with a “F@#K DVD” cheer on a LaserDisc (at least I think it was a LaserDisc). At any rate, we’ve come full circle and at least Smith admits it
- Deleted Scenes with Intros – With more than 100 minutes’ worth, there was a lot to get through. They’re there if you want ’em.
- Outtakes – Nearly 15 minutes’ worth have been included.
- Jay and Silent Bob Secret Stash Commercial – Why not use your movie to advertise your comic book store? It’s in New Jersey, but don’t let that scare you.
- Judge Not: In Defense of Dogma – The most robust supplement found on the earlier discs is still pretty poignant today.
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Storyboards – Pretty self-explanatory.
- Original PSP Introduction with Kevin Smith
- ShoWest Sizzle – is sourced from a pretty shoddy looking videotape and appears to be in a stretched aspect ratio.
- Easter Egg – If you’ve ever wanted sage-like advice from Jay (who I’ve met, he’s just like he is on screen) then look no further as he tells us how he thinks Kevin Smith directs.
- Easter Egg – …And this is actually how Kevin Directs
- My Opinion by Mrs. Harriet Wise
- UK Teaser Trailer
- TV Spot – US
- TV Spots
The Bottom Line
Over a quarter-of-a-century later Kevin Smith’s Dogma really wasn’t all that bad. But people like to find a reason to find fault in anything, especially the deeply religious (or Disney, heaven forbid they lose out on a few bucks). The film has aged remarkably well and with new supplements, a new 4K image and a Dolby Atmos upgrade – there’s really nothing holding anyone back from adding this to their collection.
