Dogma is the story surrounding what appears to be an attempt by two angels (Ben Affleck as Bartleby and Matt Damon as Loki) to regain places in Heaven, through a loophole in Catholic dogma. The last scion, the thirteenth apostle (he was dumped from the stories by the church because he was black), muses, demons, angels and god herself (Alannis Morissette) appear. Alan Rickman as Metatron is particularly excellent a character in this "satirical passion play"... or is that satyrical?
The production is cheap, the language excessively blasphemous, angels' wings are rather sad mechanical contrivances instead of computer-generated things of beauty, but... the plot is clever and complicated, the acting good, the dialogue sharp, the characters matter-of-fact about the heavens and mankind, as you might be if you had a few milennia to get accustomed to it, and most have their own objectives balanced against what is possible... the dogma. This is not a high-budget exercise. You have to suspend your normal Hollywood expectations, and concentrate on the content, which is worth it.
The tag lines and publicity are the least informative, least appealing I have ever encountered, and I suggest you ignore them. The web site is the worst piece of shameless marketing I can imagine. Do not take any notice of the publicity.
The movie manages to poke fun at a lot of things along the way. Metatron arrives in a burst of fire, and has an extinguisher turned on him. The thirteenth apostle Rufus (who is trying to get the records set straight) explains that Jesus was black. Metatron explains, as a miracle is done: "Wax on, wax off". This might all sound a bit trivial, but it "takes the curse" off what could otherwise be needlessly serious; a central point is that god has a sense of humour, as do his/her faithfull. (Rufus: Mary having a virgin birth - now, that's a leap of faith. But a married couple NEVER getting it on? That's suspension of disbelief!) To this extent the movie is a comedy.
If you doubt the depth of insight this movie provides into good and evil, ask yourself whether it is Loki ("If I had penis I'd go get laid, but I'll do the next best thing, kill some people") or Bartleby (who is pushing them towards the way back to heaven) who is more profoundly evil, or is it someone else?
One reviewer reflects that the writer-director's "commentary tracks on the laser disc and DVD versions of his movies are better than the soundtracks for most comedies". I may find out if this is true one day.
I give this movie 8.5 out of 10, then subtract 1 for cruddy looks.