Movie Review: “Noah”
After “Noah”… “Bible” movies might be the new “Superhero/Disaster blockbusters”.
But maybe that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
In the hands of Darren Aronofsky, the director of gems like “Black Swan”, “The Wrestler” and “Requiem for a Dream”, the biblical tale of Noah’s Ark is stripped of it’s cotton candy flourish and like most films these days, given a more somber tone and raised level of respect for realism. Aronofsky also developed the script himself.
As a self proclaimed “casual catholic”, I can’t pretend to be versed in the story of Noah, besides maybe what I was fed in church, cartoons and religion class in school. So on attending the premiere at the Digicel IMAX theatre, I went in with the objective of enjoying some good storytelling from a credible director.
Walking out of the screening though, I could safely say I got a lot more than I bargained for.
If ever you wish to see a film express how the weight of the world can literally drive a man to the brink of madness… Go see “Noah” ..In IMAX 3D.
This poor man right here, hands down, was the most stressed man in the history of our species and by the end or beginning depending on who you ask, the world’s first drunk. I mean the ridiculously ridiculous task of constructing an ark that will save every species on the planet but forsake your own is not exactly a walk in the park. In fact, that kind of job almost guarantees a mental break down.
Russell Crowe pulls it off though. Without tracking the timeline during and after the ark’s construction, we see Crowe project the look of a man who is not only fighting to keep his family’s faith alive, but also his own. God doesn’t do voice calls, so the mere fact that all Noah has is fragmented hallucinations to work with probably has him tripping out enough as it is. But Noah knows what it takes, and he’s a team player.
With a budget of 160 million, Aronofsky makes good use of the coin he was given. The landscapes alone were a wonder and it reminded me of just how small we were before man truly set up shop on Earth. Outside of the biblical aspects of this story life back in “whatever” BC was insanely difficult. You would know what I mean when Noah says, “I have to go visit my grandfather, and hopefully he’s still alive”.
Yeah, life without what’s app.
The CGI kicks in on some of the backdrops and the animal boarding, which is dealt with quickly, but in an enjoyable fashion. “The Watchers” had me thinking “Lord of the Rings” until their history as fallen angels was explained. Some may be disappointed that the collection of earth’s species wasn’t given more screen time but I appreciated that the human element was more the focus.
“And what was that focus might you ask?”
“That mankind sucked.”
“Badly.”
Mankind sucked so much that “The Creator”, because “God” is actually never said in the movie like Superman in “Man of Steel”, started sucking HIS teeth and decided to say “to hell with it I’m starting over.”
Mind you God, who just can’t seem to resist making games with a lesson on a string attached, doesn’t wipe out mankind and just make animals again himself.
Instead, he picks the descendent of the nicest guy he ever made to charter the animals in a boat he must build while having to deal with the descendent of the world’s first psycho, i.e, Tubal-cain (Ray Winstone), current king of the world and embodiment of everything wrong with mankind.
Game of Thrones wants nothing on this guy, I can promise you that.
“Disaster movie” enthusiasts will love when the flood finally hits and the emotional baggage of global genocide that was understandably on board the ark is not left behind. Between having to hear the constant screams of people drowning everywhere they floated and the rifts in Noah’s family, the film succeeded in capturing the turmoil of the world’s obliteration pretty well.
Best actor in the film for me goes to Anthony Hopkins, his portrayal of Noah’s grandfather Methuselah gave the film its only hint of optimism, also his lines felt more natural. The rest of the cast recited lines I felt I heard already in different movies, and besides Russell selling a man going through the most inner turmoil a man had ever experienced the rest of the family failed to resonate with me. Ironic considering Jennifer Connelly is an Oscar winner.
Those things being said though definitely see “Noah” on the big screen and if you have a little date or are taking the folks or kids out, go see it in IMAX. One movie I regret not seeing in all its glory was “Life of Pi”, another movie with a theme wrapped around God and a lot 3D water. I wish I saw that in IMAX.
Aronofsky hasn’t missed with his films yet and now with a hefty budget he’s bringing depth to the blockbuster stage. From a first viewing I wouldn’t call this classic cinema, but its definitely good cinema, and it has packed enough elements in it to draw in the religious demos and the popcorn crunchers.