Mel Gibson’s new movie, The Passion of The Christ, has been generating a lot of media noise since it was initially announced several years ago. Now, the completed film is right around the corner from being shown in 2,000 theaters across the U.S., an astonishing opening for what is considered an indie film.

In Hawai’i, the film has gone from an opening in Consolidated Theater’s Varsity Twins to a more mainstream release of 13 theaters between Hawai’i’s two chains, Consolidated and Signature.

Tonight, ABC devoted an hour to interviewing Gibson, who directed the film. I found the interview very soulful. Clearly, Gibson was speaking to Diane Sawyer from the heart.

Despite the large opening, The Passion still has a large uphill battle. From the start, critics have accused the film (and Gibson) of being anti-semitic. Others have been skeptical about the decision to present the film using the languages of the time – Aramaic and Latin, without any subtitles. (It seems that there will be subtitles in the final version.)

Can’t say whether I’m going to see it yet. From the reviews, I’m confident it will be a faithful rendition of the Gospels. I just don’t know if I’m up to seeing visuals that I have only been exposed to through imagination. The photo on the movie’s web site was graphic enough for my tastes.