1999, 2 hrs 10 min., Rated R for strong language including sex-related dialogue, violence, crude humor and some drug content. Dir: Kevin Smith. Cast: Ben Affleck (Bartleby), George Carlin (Cardinal Glick), Matt Damon (Loki), Linda Fiorentino (Bethany), Salma Hayek (Serendipity), Jason Lee (Azrael), Jason Mewes (Jay), Kevin Smith (Silent Bob), Alan Rickman (Metatron), Chris Rock (Rufus), Alanis Morissette (God), Janeane Garofalo (Clinic Girl).

I don't think I've ever been as conflicted after seeing a movie as I was following Dogma, the new movie from Kevin Smith. All of Smith's movies have been a little different, a little off-kilter, yet enjoyable.

The same goes for Dogma. I found more positives than negatives, but felt there was enough to keep if from being a "great" picture.

I know many will think that I have negative feelings toward the movie because of the controversy surrounding it, but I have no problem with Smith's version of religion or Catholicism. I don't get my faith from movies. If that were true, I would have to be upset by the movie that I watched on the USA network that night, Slave Girls From Beyond Infinity.

I thought about this during the hour-long drive from Nashville to my grandparents' home in Chapel Hill, Tenn., where it was so foggy for 3/4 of the trip that I couldn't see ten feet in front of my Jeep. Listening to my favorite Contemporary Christian radio station, WAY-FM 88.7, I know that intimidating instances as this is where my faith comes in handy, where I talk to God and ask for safe passage and thank Him for working in my life. A movie like Dogma does nothing to affect this, and I can enjoy it on its merits instead of being offended.

But, in full disclosure I must add that I was angry with Smith only one time: when the abortion protestors get in the face of Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) and curse her, using words that would get them kicked out of a football game, not to mention a pro-life rally. The scene took me out of the movie for a couple of minutes, and I missed any good cheer spread by the lovely Jeneane Garofalo in her brief cameo.

Okay, that's out of the way. Now, what I did vehemently object to was how much the characters in Dogma talked about the same thing, over and over again. Every supposedly meaningful and enlightening conversation was merely repetitive. After the first four characters complain about Catholicism's has wacky rules, by the time the fifth person comes up with this revelation it has no affect.

I have no qualms about the acting, enjoying virtually every character and performer.

Alan Rickman was numero uno in his portrayal of Metatron, the angel who speaks for God. He was confident, authoritative and comedic, without going over-the-top.

Likewise, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon once again prove that they make a great team, as if Good Will Hunting didn't convince you. In Dogma the dynamic duo plays two fallen angels, Bartleby and Loki, respectively, who exploit a loophole to get back into heaven.

Linda Fiorentino holds her own as the main character, Bethany, who also happens to be the last Scion, or last descendant of Mary and Joseph, thus a great grandniece of Jesus to the umpteenth power. My older brother, Scott, though, disagrees with my opinion on Linda's performance. To each his own.

I have heard and read many comments that Jay and Silent Bob, the only characters in every Kevin Smith film, are out of place as the prophets in Dogma. I disagree, as they are always a great source of comic relief, which really helped lighten this movie's more serious subject matter.

Another source of discontent revolves around comedian Chris Rock as the 13th apostle, Rufus. My problem with Rock, as in Lethal Weapon 4, is why does every movie role involve him constantly mentioning being the token black man who is repressed? I like Rock's comedy, and his show on HBO is generally full of good humor regarding race relations, equally using all races as material. However, in these two movies he sounds more like Jesse Jackson, constantly bemoaning that the black man is always in the backseat to the white man. In Dogma, he complains that Rufus was left out of the Bible because he's black, even though Jesus was as well.

The final bit of casting controversy is whether the right 'actress' was chosen to play God, the Lord Almighty, the big He. Well, I liked singer Alanis Morissette's small part. She has a great smile and pleasant demeanor, even if she was doing a Marcel Marceau impression for ten minutes.(God can't speak, lest the power of his voice rip a human's body to shreds. "We went through five Adams before we figured that one out." - Metatron).

Other bits of casting: Getting George Carlin to play the role of Cardinal Glick was a riot. The audience really enjoyed when he appeared in his formal garb. Salma Hayek still can't act, but the strip tease may be worth the $7.25. Jason Lee, as demon Azrael (not the cat from "The Smurfs") is annoying. I have liked Lee in every other film, so I can only blame his role instead of his acting.

As for other items in Dogma, the score didn't help. It was neither inspiring nor poignant to the subject matter, and felt out of place several times. And the cinematography was simply bad. The framing, lighting and locations were drab, and I didn't know what was happening a few times due to incoherant camera movements.

Don't get me wrong. As I stated at the beginning there were several positives of the film as well.

Much of the humor thundered home with hilarity equal to other Smith films, punctuated by sharp dialogue or expletives that fit the situation.

I also appreciated bits of Smith's religious discussions, such as the redeeming qualities of God and that He/She has a great sense of humor. I didn't mind the content of smith's religious dogma, and it was interesting for the most part. Of course, I'm not Catholic so a few relevant bits may have been over my head.

The way Smith presents God and his angelic army is more online than any religious film I've seen. There were questions I wondered that were brought up. For instance: the angel choir that worships God nostop -- wouldn't you want to take a breather once a decade or so? Step back, tell Him, "Hey, can I get a glass of water and play a quick 18 holes? I just need a break, your Holiness."

I think it's reasonable. Sure, being at God's throne is million times better than the alternative down south in hell, but I don't see why God wouldn't understand?

In the end, though, I was hoping for something a little better after such a long wait and much hype. Disappointment is a word that comes to mind.