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Jesus Christ Super Star
Movie Review
1/30/2012
Luka Luketic
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Jesus Christ Super Star Review
One thing I'll say for
him, Jesus is cool. (Caiaphas)
Jesus Christ super Star a movie adaptation of the magnificent
rock opera co-written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Norman Jewison’s
adaptation focuses mainly on the conflict between Jesus and Judas in the weeks
prior to Jesse’s crucifixion. The movie begins with a group of hippy actors
arriving in Israel, The Holy land, and begins preparing for the filming of Jesus
Christ Superstar. The musical brings to question was Jesus really the son of
god or was he just a regular man, through singing and dancing the actors
replicate the events that took place thousands of years ago in Jerusalem. Not
only is the Rock Opera entertaining but it tells the story of Jesus Christ from
a different perspective, Judas’s view, and it retells the whole story in a way
more appealing to the audience.
Jesus Chris Superstar is a Historical Rock Opera filmed in
1973 and directed by Norman Jewison it was produced by Universal Studios in
America. The movie was originally filmed in English, and there are no spoken
lines, all of them are sung. It was rated PG, meaning Parental guidance,
because there are some violent scenes (the 39 lashes and the crucifixion). The
movie is mainly about the relationship between Jesus and Judas; it also shows
the events following up to the Crucifixion of Jesus, the last supper and the
betrayal of Jesus.
Even though the movie is in form of a hippie rock opera, the
events are closely related to those in the bible. Judas fears that Jesus is
starting to believe the rumors that he is god, he also fears that Jesus
followers will torn against him when they figure out that he isn’t god, and
that the Romans will bring them down if they attract too much attention. Later
on in the cave the apostles as when they are going to Jerusalem, they sing the
song “What’s the Buzz?” This angers Jesus and he replies "Don't you try to think ahead / Save
tomorrow for tomorrow / Think about today instead" This heats up the
argument between Jesus and Judas even further.
Caiaphas and the high priest discuss Jesus; Caiaphas thinks that Jesus’
popularity will cause the Romans to bring him down. He mentions rumors of Jesus
becoming king, later on the council sings “This Jesus Must Die”. Later on Judas goes to the dessert while
thinking whether or not to betray Jesus, Then a row of Roman tanks appear coming
over the hill, they pressure him, while running away Judas enters the temple.
Judas has come there to betray Jesus; he wants to explain himself (Sings Damned
for all time/Blood money), but no one listens to him. Caiaphas offers Judas
money (Will pay you in silver), Judas refuses; He eventually gives in when
Caiaphas says that he can give the money to the poor. Judas tells them that
Jesus will be in the Garden of Gethsemane. During the Last Supper Jesus is feeling sorry
for himself, because he knows what is going to happen to him. There he also
makes the famous prediction that one of his apostles will betray him and that
another one will deny knowing him. After a heated argument between himself and
Jesus, Judas goes off to bring the soldiers that will arrest Jesus. He is then
taken to Pontius Pilate, who questions him if he is really the son of god and
if he is the king of the Jews. The crowd demands that Jesus is crucified, but
Pilate refuses, saying that Jesus has committed no crime. Jesus is then taken
to King Herod, who tells Jesus that if he performs a miracle, he will be set
free. When Jesus doesn’t answer, the king sends Jesus to Pontius Pilate for his
sentence.
Jesus, is the main
protagonist of the rock opera, he is wise and wishes to spread his religion and
ideas even further. He is betrayed by Jesus because he refuses to listen to
him, and continues spreading his ideas, Judas feared that Jesus was becoming too
popular and the Romans would bring him down. Judas, the entire movie is filmed
from his perspective, in a way. He is angered by Jesus because he refuses to
listen to him; this is the key reason why he betray Jesus. Judas is a very
complicated character, he helps Jesus spread his ideas, but also wants to
remain small so that the Roman’s don’t consider them a threat, he betrays Jesus
but then feels sorry, he seems to regret his actions often. Pontius Pilate is
in my opinion a fair man, he said that Jesus committed no crime and that he
shouldn’t be sentenced, but Jesus refused to speak and defend himself,
therefore Pontius Pilate had to sentence Jesus.
Being a rock opera, this wouldn’t be a true review if I didn’t comment
on the music and dancing. From a musical point of view Jesus Christ super star
is a truly excellent musical, the lyricist and music producers managed to
incorporate historical elements into the songs. Even though it is a movie, all
of the songs are sung by the actors, which is fascinating taking in account
that they were also running and jumping while singing. I believe that the song by
Simon Zealots/ Poor Jerusalem deserves the most recognition because the actors
are doing all types of stunts and are still singing. The song is about how
Jesus’ followers are showing his devotion to him. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPq_914s2Jw)
Simon and Judas have are engaged in the best performances in the musical. Simon
is portrayed by Larry T Marshal and Carl Anderson acts in the role of Judas. These
two characters really added a great amount to themovie ; they made it funny and
interesting.
Another interesting thing in
the Rock opera is the idea behind the movie. I found the whole concept of the
movie unusual and in the same time really exiting and well thought of. The fact
that hippies are acting out a rock opera about the final days of Jesus is interesting
by itself, but the fact that it is all done in the middle of the desert adds a
special dose of excitement . The dessert is also in the holy land (Israel) so
it makes the whole movie more authentic. If you deeply think about the hippies
and the Jesses followers, you can see that they have some common ideas; they
both want to stop violence and believe that everyone is equal. That is the
reason why I think the hippies are acting in this movie. The movie isn’t made
only to entertain, there are some references to the Vietnam War going on at the
time. The tanks chasing Judas and the roman guards with guns are the most
notable references.
If you haven’t watched this
movie already, you defiantly should. It is a truly spectacular mix of rock
opera and historical film making; it follows the biblical events through
singing and dancing. I think that both children and adults would like this
movie. But I believe that adults would understand it better, therefore the
singing and dancing part may be more appealing to children but the story line
and hidden motifs would be better for adults. The key reason why I liked this
movie is because it combines rock opera and a biblical story line, which is in
my opinion hard to achieve. Secondly I liked the movie because the mood of the
movie always made me happy and characters like Simon and Judas really made me
sing along to the songs that were sung. Over all I would rate this movie a
9.5/10, it is a really good movie which I recommend you watch as soon as you
get the chance.
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