‘Dogma’: 25th Anniversary Celebration Review – Kevin Smith’s Controversial Classic Gets Resurrected

Kevin Smith’s fourth feature film is just as prescient now, on its 25th anniversary, as it was during its original release at the Cannes Film Festival before the turn of the century. Similar in approach to satires such as Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers (1997) and Judge’s Idiocracy (2005), Dogma criticizes all religious sects of Western society, from Catholics to Protestants to Agnostics. Whether you’re a believer, denier, or contrarian, Smith has more than a few words for you.

Dogma follows two angels, Loki (Matt Damon) and Bartleby (Ben Affleck), on a quest to earn their place back in heaven by walking through the doors of a Catholic church in the midst of a rededication, when all sins will be forgiven. If they can accomplish this, transfer into human form, and then die, they can return to heaven. A young woman named Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) works at an abortion clinic and struggles with her own religious beliefs, but is pulled into the fray and encouraged to stop the fallen angels. Fortunately, she’s aided by two slacker prophets, the soon-to-be-infamous Jay and Silent Bob. Along the way, they continue to receive guidance from a seraph (Alan Rickman), a 13th apostle (Chris Rock), and a muse (Salma Hayek) as everyone is in a race to stop the plan unfortunately initiated by Cardinal Glick’s (George Carlin) church, though Azrael (Jason Lee) is the original trickster that sets everything in motion.

Since its debut, the cast of Dogma has all gone on to successful film and television careers, mostly in front of the camera, not to mention Ben Affleck’s six directorial efforts and Chris Rock’s balance of acting roles, comedy shows, and award show hosting duties. Many of Smith’s frequent collaborators stem from films fleshed out thanks to casting director Don Phillips (Mallrats) or Shana Lory (Chasing Amy), but Smith certainly has an eye for talent and comedic potential himself.

The director continues to play with genre in Dogma, as well as tropes and stereotypes, and the line between indie features and traditional studio films couldn’t be any clearer. The film constantly oscillates between poking fun at Western religion and culture, the movie industry, the film itself, and everyday life in America in the 90s. Though controversial at the time and momentarily banned and delayed in a few countries, Dogma remains a classic.

Though much of the dialogue in Dogma comes across as didactic and expository, the approach and overall tone are consistent and necessary. Especially considering the current resurgence of self-help books, conspiracy theories, and rampant misinformation on the internet. Dogma’s willingness to speak directly to and through its protagonist, Bethany, and subsequently the audience, makes for a movie worth listening to, whether its ideology and dogma conflict with the listener or not.

Smith’s film is also worth revisiting considering the pace at which AI technology is pushing into the filmmaking space, especially since the industry is only a few years removed from the writer’s strikes, which took place right on the heels of the COVID-19 Pandemic recovery. Smith’s work always reminds us what we’re capable of as a collective: a collective of nerds, a collective of young creatives, or a collective of cast-offs and forgotten spiritual beings. If anything, Dogma reminds us to remain curious enough to create and discuss our ideas with others.

In honor of the 25th anniversary, the film has been beautifully restored through remastering and color-correction in 4K by Triple Media Film with legendary cinematographer Robert Yeoman (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Bridesmaids). The remastered version, currently on a US tour of 20 cities dubbed DOGMA: The Resurrection tour, began on Easter Sunday, April 20th, at the Grove in Los Angeles, with appearances from Smith and Jason Mewes.

Dogma: A 25th Anniversary Celebration is now playing newly remastered in over 1,500 theaters across North America courtesy of Iconic Events.