ReaderKenka
Let's be realistic.
Stoutor
It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.
Sammy-Jo Cervantes
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
Scotty Burke
It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
qmtv
What we have here is an interesting idea, finding the possible skeletons of Jesus. What follows is a political/religious intrigue between the Vatican, Israelis/Jews, and the Palestinians/Terrorists. I didn't read the book and will not. I think the idea of finding Jesus's skeleton is fine. The best part was in the beginning when the archeologist finds the bones, and then a Catholic priest goes into the tomb and coming out we see the horror on his face. The film devolves from there. We are introduced to Banderas as an ex-military man, now priest being sent by the Vatican to Jerusalem to investigate the findings and denounce that it is Jesus. He meets the archeologist, we get a stupid careless and nonsense car ride/comic relief. Back and forth between these characters with a lot of talking, boredom, Palestinian/Terrorist, Israeli government intrigue. Best part was when the orthodox jews started stoning Banderas. There was some serious beat down there. Later there's a car bombing. At the end, the movie ends with some kind of shoot out, helicopter and an explosion where the bones are destroyed. Banderas loses his fate in the church, but not in god. There's some nonsense romance with Banderas and the archeologist. Basically, this film is a complete borefest. The initial ideas was fine. But the execution/script was complete garbage. Finding the bones of Christ is great. But then you need a writer with some intelligence to come up with a compelling story. This one does not have it. It would have been better if they found the bones, someone cuts himself, blood flows on the bones, later the body comes back to life, not as Jesus, but as Juda, and this is the anti Christ, and then flows some kind of end of world death and destruction. Now that would be interesting. Forget Plan 9 from Outer Space. That is truly one of the worst films ever made. But it looks like The Body had a budget. So, with the budget, This is the Worst Film Ever Made. Banderas does fine with the material. It's not his fault.
tomsview
This movie has an intriguing premise, is beautifully photographed and well acted, but just falls short of being exceptional due to a by-the-numbers terrorist sub-plot.Did Jesus Christ rise on the third day? This story is based around the discovery of the skeleton of a crucified man hidden behind a secret wall in a recently excavated tomb in Jerusalem. When Jewish archaeologist, Dr. Sharon Galban, played by the elegantly beautiful Olivia Williams, discovers the remains, it sets off a chain of events involving the Israeli Government, the Roman Catholic Church and Palestinian terrorists. Concerned that the discovery will undermine the basic tenet of Christianity i.e. the divinity of Christ, the Church sends priest and ex-army intelligence officer, Father Matt Gutierrez (Antonio Banderas), to investigate.The power of the film is in the taboo nature of the mystery. But when you think about it, the story of Jesus, even at its most traditional, is surrounded by great mystery - "The Body" merely taps into that mystique.Based on a novel by Richard Sapir, this isn't the first story to feature a new revelation about the death of Christ. Irving Wallace in "The Word" and Robert Ludlum in "The Gemini Contenders" had a crack at it as did Robin Maugham in "The Sign". The big revelation is usually that Christ did not die on the cross in the accepted manner. Nearly all the novels involve violent reaction to this piece of news from vested interests. Some also include an opt-out option; even "The Body" leaves a touch of doubt in our minds as to the identification of the skeleton."The Body" is fascinating when it sticks to the attempts to understand the significance of the skeleton, and what it means for the Christian faith. I would have been happy if all the drama had been derived from that situation; Derek Jacobi as Father Lavelle epitomizes the inner conflict the discovery causes, and the scene where he can no longer live with the thought is quite eerie.However, the filmmakers probably felt that keeping the film at such a cerebral level would lose a wider audience; so half of the film involves terrorists who are trying to control the discovery for their own ends. This aspect of the story almost feels like a different film and although the action scenes are well staged, they are also predictable.Antonio Banderas handles the complex role well. He is a priest under pressure - tempted by weakness of faith on the one hand and weakness of the flesh on the other when he discovers that Dr. Galban's most interesting artefacts aren't all hidden in the tomb.The powerful elements in "The Body" make up for the weaker ones, and technically it's hard to fault, with terrific locations, and an atmospheric score by Serge Colbert. I have watched it a couple of times now; it's intriguing central story gets me in every time.
paladin0110
The Body is based on a book. Like all screenplays it will have much in common & differences. Father Matt is a Jesuit, & experienced the horrors of war. He has faith, a Doctorate in Roman History, & is an experienced investigator. Sent on a mission by the Vatican, assured its just a body. The archaeologist, a Jewish woman, Sharon, is more like your typical liberal, religious only on a holiday. She can't believe anyone would complain about her publishing papers on the find. She even feels she a Dominican Scholar like herself would approve, only that Scholar can't cope & jumps to his death in a state of despair. Much happens, & faith is all remains, either the body is Christ, or a man whose mother prayed her son would have a home with God. Just as your mother probably prays for you. Either way, Father Matt knows it is not Christ, however he does leave Rome, maybe no longer a priest, but still a Man of God. The music is beautiful & it is shot in the Holy Lands, that in itself deserves to be watched. Lastly Banderas is mildly understated, as a Priest who has seen war would be.
katest
In contrast to the other scathing reviews, I believe this movie is a solid display of a "what if?" Dependant upon a person's religious faith, the movie may not be of interest to them. However, if you give it a chance, even if you are solid in your Christianity you will enjoy the film.The movie's plot revolves around the interfacings of three primary faiths: Judaism(Israeli); the Islamic (Palestine); and the Roman Catholic church (selected as it is the largest Christian sect). The plot revolves around a body, found crucified and hidden behind a wall, from the time of the Christ.The movie is not designed to change the faithful's viewpoint, in fact, just the opposite. I think if you are Christian this will deepen your beliefs. The movie, rather, explores what would happen in the hotbed of the middle east (East Jerusalem) if such a discovery were made. The politics, and ultimately, the violence.The movie is set well and also does not overly dramatize the setting. I have many friends from that region that said it is well done. All interactions between the three faiths are extremely respectful and you can learn something from the movie.If you like intellectual movies, this is definitely one for you.