R E V I E W S

Stigmata (2000)

Starring: ?
Director: ?
Rating: R

Studio: MGM

Review Posted: Unknown

Rating: 4/10

By Sean Cannon.

I went in to see the new movie Stigmata with high anticipation. After seeing the previews for it, I was sure this would be incredible. I was wrong. Stigmata was a movie that could have made it, but fell short of its goal.

For people like me who are very into religion, this movie was very interesting and really made you think, but for the non-religious person this movie will go way way over your head. The movie starts off very well. A paranormal investigator/priest is sent by the Vatican counsel to investigate a 10 foot tall statue of Mary in Latin America that is weeping human blood.

The setting and mood created by the cinematography in the beginning will send shivers up your spine. The music and sound effects are equally ominous. This scientist conducts a few tests on the statue and he thinks he may have found evidence that the statue is for real, when the Vatican calls him back to Italy to investigate a new case. He reluctantly goes back, and that's where he meets a possessed woman named Frankie. And that's where it starts to get weird. For the next hour the movie begins to look like a music video. The heavy techno soundtrack does NOT go well with the religious setting at all.

I wont give anything away, but I will say that the last 30 minutes do get far better. The plot starts to make sense and come together, the camera man obviously has cut back on the caffeine, and the music starts to get good again. The movie would have been horrible if it were not for the ending that saved it all.

The director took a completely innovative approach to making the movie, maybe too innovative. Stigmata isn't for everyone, but it is worth giving a chance. I can assure you it will be unlike any movie you've ever seen! If the techno music and choppy camera work were taken out, the rating would've been an 8.

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