Passion And Animation

By RICHARD CORLISS

Like a Last Supper print on the dining-room wall, Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ--on DVD this week, untainted by extras--is sure to be a must-own for millions of Christians. But maybe not a must-watch. In a theater, viewers were riveted to their seats watching the Godman's ordeal. At home, many will squeamishly fast-forward through this edifying gauntlet of Kick-the-Christ.

Parents who want the Gospel without the gore can try The Animated Passion, with seven sing-along hymns, a blue-eyed Jesus enduring most of his pain off-camera, and a stodgy illustrative style. The less pious will turn to a South Park DVD, The Passion of the Jew, with Cartman as a neo--Hitler youth and Gibson as a raving loony. It's funny-angry, but for the gang's sturdiest liturgical statement, go to Season 4's Do the Handicapped Go to Hell? and its sequel, Probably. --By Richard Corliss