What a curio. A review of this film is only as good as the person giving it: I'm an ex-church goer who understands the power of myth and story, and still respect what those old stories meant to me as a child. Aronovsky's gambit was to toe the line between producing his usual visually impressive masochistic character study, a religious vision, and a summer blockbuster, and he succeeds to some degree in uniting film fans, Christians and the secular without preaching to any of them. Sure, the source material raises all sorts of questions, and issues of belief or hidden agenda, but these are tackled mostly gracefully and with respect, and enhance the apocalyptic, weighty Biblical mythology, which usually comes with the territory in adapting these kinds of stories (it's dark, serious and intense for sure). In particular, stunning sequences illustrating global warming and evolution, stop short of showing apes becoming human, and end up striking a balance between intellectually and spiritually inquisitive perspectives, as well as the film's tone.
Yet it's greatest strength is also a thorn in its side. With regards to style and substance, it tries to have its' cake and eat it too - depicting implausible rock monsters on one hand (perhaps the film's only potentially major misstep for many), and then the psychological wear and tear upon the characters on the other, leading us to make suggestive leaps of faith as large as Noah himself. The actors convey the gravity of the narrative well, and invoke ancient cycles of faith, family, morality, archetype and destiny in a very broad and muscular way. Yet we still end up with a flabby final third in the Ark plus some thin tonal joins from all the gear shifting. But then again I'm quite amazed anything of substance or solidity emerged from the boiling pot, particularly given this productions' troubled birth. 'Noah' struggles, but eventually emerges as a portentious and incredibly ambitious blend of mythological depth, spectacle, and Russell Crowe's tortured brooding, albeit a moderately absorbing rather than downright thrilling one. Anyone curious for 'Exodus' this winter?
Very difficult to judge objectively. People are always invested in such a topic one way or another. Aranofsky tried his best to make a film based on such source material without becoming too preachy either way. And for the most part I think he succeeded. Very light for an Aranofsky film though, the ending makes me wonder if it was his cut at all.
Basically it's like a mashup between some of the more existential and visually insane moments of The Fountain and silent film-level creaky melodrama. I'm still not even sure what the hell to make of it a day later.
Plotwise I liked some of the new stuff he had put in in such a known story. People took Noah serious, where in the bible they take him as a fool. And more of that.
All of the elements what the story is all about is still in.
But still one of the weaker directors movie, nevertheless fun to watch.
I really enjoyed this film, it's a really free adaptation of the original story, and for a couple of moments it's like a a Sci-Fi film blended with some obscure anachronic future. Visually outstanding and not as religious as I was expecting.
Special effects were good in some scenes, particularly the ones made to look like time-lapses, but lacking in others. Never really felt like the characters were actually anywhere besides a studio green screen. Music wasn't anything special. Acting was acceptable. Emma Watson was very good. Felt a little long, but I can't think of any parts that stood out as being unnecessary. Overall, it was pretty solid. Not great, nor bad. Good enough.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 28
SpacedJ
Half Lord of the Rings, half Tree of Life. Need to build an ark in a hurry? Prehistoric Transformers roll out!monty
Too bad they forgot to bring along unicorns.Scratch47
What a curio. A review of this film is only as good as the person giving it: I'm an ex-church goer who understands the power of myth and story, and still respect what those old stories meant to me as a child. Aronovsky's gambit was to toe the line between producing his usual visually impressive masochistic character study, a religious vision, and a summer blockbuster, and he succeeds to some degree in uniting film fans, Christians and the secular without preaching to any of them. Sure, the source material raises all sorts of questions, and issues of belief or hidden agenda, but these are tackled mostly gracefully and with respect, and enhance the apocalyptic, weighty Biblical mythology, which usually comes with the territory in adapting these kinds of stories (it's dark, serious and intense for sure). In particular, stunning sequences illustrating global warming and evolution, stop short of showing apes becoming human, and end up striking a balance between intellectually and spiritually inquisitive perspectives, as well as the film's tone.Yet it's greatest strength is also a thorn in its side. With regards to style and substance, it tries to have its' cake and eat it too - depicting implausible rock monsters on one hand (perhaps the film's only potentially major misstep for many), and then the psychological wear and tear upon the characters on the other, leading us to make suggestive leaps of faith as large as Noah himself. The actors convey the gravity of the narrative well, and invoke ancient cycles of faith, family, morality, archetype and destiny in a very broad and muscular way. Yet we still end up with a flabby final third in the Ark plus some thin tonal joins from all the gear shifting. But then again I'm quite amazed anything of substance or solidity emerged from the boiling pot, particularly given this productions' troubled birth. 'Noah' struggles, but eventually emerges as a portentious and incredibly ambitious blend of mythological depth, spectacle, and Russell Crowe's tortured brooding, albeit a moderately absorbing rather than downright thrilling one. Anyone curious for 'Exodus' this winter?
greenhorg
Those stop motion-style river and evolution scenes were something special, but the movie is unsurprisingly hamstrung by its mundane source material.rabsi1
Very difficult to judge objectively. People are always invested in such a topic one way or another. Aranofsky tried his best to make a film based on such source material without becoming too preachy either way. And for the most part I think he succeeded. Very light for an Aranofsky film though, the ending makes me wonder if it was his cut at all.jdjudge
Basically it's like a mashup between some of the more existential and visually insane moments of The Fountain and silent film-level creaky melodrama. I'm still not even sure what the hell to make of it a day later.Marianna Delfim
It's really cool how Aronofsky mixes science, history, fantasy and religion. It's a very interesting movie.danisanna
I preferred Evan Almightybathkuyp
If only the rest of this movie was as good as the creation-sequence...airi86ja
dialogs, metaphors and ost of Clint Mansell was great indeedIndianaJones
Plotwise I liked some of the new stuff he had put in in such a known story. People took Noah serious, where in the bible they take him as a fool. And more of that.All of the elements what the story is all about is still in.
But still one of the weaker directors movie, nevertheless fun to watch.
Ataraxic
Friends not FoodArturoUriza
I really enjoyed this film, it's a really free adaptation of the original story, and for a couple of moments it's like a a Sci-Fi film blended with some obscure anachronic future. Visually outstanding and not as religious as I was expecting.adastras
Special effects were good in some scenes, particularly the ones made to look like time-lapses, but lacking in others. Never really felt like the characters were actually anywhere besides a studio green screen. Music wasn't anything special. Acting was acceptable. Emma Watson was very good. Felt a little long, but I can't think of any parts that stood out as being unnecessary. Overall, it was pretty solid. Not great, nor bad. Good enough.kurvduam
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