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I liked this music much better the first time I heard it in "Glory." The Passion is perhaps the most powerful movie ever made, and during the crucifixion scene I really didn't want to be sitting there thinking, "Haven't I heard this before?...oh...right...Glory." I'm not sure why the focus is on the rip-off of Peter Gabriel's work, which is only more a sonic reference of middle eastern/Armenian music, instead of the blatant melodic rip from a contemporary film.

Other than lifting 8 bars straight from James Horner, Debney did a fine job, giving appropriate and moving music in each scene. Gibson would've done better to go with Horner again, who is notorious for ripping himself off (compare Glory and Braveheart). At least that way the inclusion of Glory's main theme in The Passion would've been a little more acceptable.

"The Passion Of The Christ" is a powerful film and it deserves no less than a steller musical accompaniment and it gets one with the score John Debney has written. Likt the film itself, Denbey's score stays in the mind and is filled with wonderful flourishes of emotion, beauty and drama. Some have compared it to Hans Zimmer's "Gladiator" score, some have even dared call it imitative, but this is simply not the case. Zimmer produced what was essentially an action movie score and while it did indeed contain great dramatic passages, "The Passion Of The Christ" is different because it is trying to express the spiritual, the religious, the divine. It is a little more subdued and less expressive than Peter Gabriel's classic "Passion" album for the "Last Temptation Of Christ" movie, but it's right up there with it in it's rich exploration of Middle Eastern rhythms, chants, melodies and moods (in fact, one of the artists from "Passion," Shankar, returns here for a few contributions). The moments of atmosphere are rich and evocative such as the opening track, "The Olive Garden," which utilizes the song "Night Sky" by Jack Lenz (a co-composer for the entire score) with vocals by Tanya Tsarouska to dreamy effect. "Mary Goes To Jesus" is full of drama in the strings and resurrects the heartbreak from that particular scene. The choral chants work to striking effect especially in "Raising The Cross." Debney creates a grand orchestral work with this album with a great World Music, classic flavor that will make it one of the year's stand-out scores (which will be hard considering the movie's controversy will most likely leave little if no attention to the soundtrack). "The Passion Of The Christ" is an unforgettable film and the score is a fitting accompaniment.

Personally, I think the best song out of all of them was used for the movie trailer because it had a similar emotional impact the way the Gladiator soundtrack did. I have yet to see the movie myself, but what attracted me the most was the music. After listening to it, sometimes it's a hit and miss to the ears. Previous reviews I've read either rave about it, or think that it's a piece of recycled crap. It's neither in my opinion. The tracks each have their own distinct method which I'm sure was meant to enhance the scenes of the movie instead of overshadow them. Some songs I liked, others not so much (because they lacked impact). I'd highly suggest listening to the entire track in bits and pieces before buying it. Personally, I don't think it's as bad of a soundtrack as certain people are reviewing it to be. However, it's not the greatest. It has yet to compare to Gladiator's phenomenal soundtrack.

The Passion of the Christ is by far the most compelling Jesus movie to date. The Passion of the Christ is a very emotional film that had the entire audience in tears. The extremely vivid and graphic violence only added to the amount of interest in the film. The Passion was hard to watch at times but in the end a great picture worth seeing several times. The popularity of this film is well earned. The acting was extremely believable and well done; it truly felt like this event was really taking place right in front of my eyes. I can't imagine anyone disliking such a well-scripted and well directed film.
The dialogue was excellently mastered and presented. Mel Gibson truly out did himself and this is an outstanding must-see. The graphic violence was heavy yet not too heavy; those who have a weak stomach should avoid The Passion of the Christ. I can't figure out why some people gave this film such horrible reviews; you have to remember that the majority of people highly enjoyed The Passion of the Christ. After seeing it I couldn't stop thinking about it. I saw this film over a week ago and it is still fresh in my mind. Very powerful stuff that I highly recommend everyone views.

"The Passion of the Christ" is like no other movie I have ever seen. It is difficult to see this as a film, when really it is an experience that, like it or not, you are immersed in for two hours and come out physically and emotionally drained, even if you found yourself without expression the entire time. the film, er... experience enraptures you almost immediatetly, as the film picks up the Garden of Gesthemine. Jesus (Jim Cavielzel) is in fear of what he must do, but finds himself tempted by a strange, female androgynous form of Satan. Seductive and oddly sexy, Lucifer, with an alluring, otherworldy voice tempts Jesus to turn from his path, but Jesus stays the course, accepting the arrest by Jewish guards. Condemed by the Jewish council for blasphemy, Jesus is taken before Pilate for punishment. pilate initially finds no cause for death, and instead orders Jesus whipped. This is where the violence and gore kick in. Jesus' back and torso is methodically ripped apart by Roman chastisers, and director Mel Gibson focuses on all the gory details, with close-ups of flesh coming off in shreds and the claws often come dangerously close to his face. Add to this a graphic walk with the cross (he is whipped repeatedly with a belt) and an even worse crucifixtion (complete with nails driven into Jesus' hand and feet, accompianied by squish sound effects and aa theif's eye pecked out by a crow), and the violence is often too much, bringing the audience out of the emotional juggernaut and leaving them instead with nausea.

But the films' saving grace is Romanian actress Maia Morgernstern as Jesus' mother Mary. I am a congregational protestant, and never gave Mary the same amount of reverance Catholics do. But now I may. Morgenstern is the films' heart and soul, amid the films' unrelenting gore. She is the human mother watching her only son beaten and tortured to death. She is the main focus in the films' most powerful and moving scene when Jesus falls carrying the cross and she flashes back to an event in his childhood, whe she was able to comfort him and shleter him from pain. The humaness of Mary is what is relatable in the film (Cavielzel doesn't act as much as offer himself up as a sacrifical lamb) as the helpless mother, and Morgenstern's stoic yet anguished performance is one of the most heart-breaking you will ever see, and is the most haunting aspect of "The Passion," rising above the film's off-putting violence.

I have been a Christian since I was 7 yrs old, however I like many strayed from Gods chosen path. When I saw this movie I was not only moved to tears but found my life changing in the most wonderful of ways! I prayed for forgiveness of my sins again because all of what Jesus endured, he endured for us. He didn't have to, ya know? And I now have the blessed assurance that I will go to Heaven! Amen! This movie is very graphic but the graphics are uterly necessary if we are to grasp the truth of what Christ endured for all of us. I hope that you will see this film and that Christ's journey will have a profound impact in your life as well! God Bless!