Noah had a count of one and two going in. Russell Crowe was strike one. Another Bible movie was strike two. The ball, and it was a big one as in way outside, was Darren Aronofsky. Just the idea of such a director taking on such a project is way outside the norm. The question was whether we’d get another unique Aronsfky vision, or another Hollywood Bible factory film, aimed at the God fearing and devoted. As an agnostic I went in with concern not only about a wasted life, but the very real possibility of the next 2 hours and 19 minutes being utterly wasted.  After viewing Noah I continue to fret about a life wasted, but those 139 minutes were not.

More like a Comic Big Book movie and less like a Bible saga, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was giving this stop motion laden epic a pass on Aronofsky’s name alone. This question subsided after the first act as the film strays from a wordy drama and turns into an action/adventure movie filled with soulless hordes led by a filthy Ray Winstone. However, it is the rock creatures, otherwise known as the “Watchers”  that are sure to be as much of a fork in the road as the artistic license used in this Old Testament tale. Led by Samyaza (voiced by Nick Nolte), these fallen angels, turned to lava rock monstrosities, look and move like they belong in the 1981 Clash of the Titans more than a 2014 CGI era budgeted behemoth. Those who accept this visual choice are more than likely going to by into the rest of it. It is with these distinctions as well as some interesting jump cut sequences and recurring iconic images that Aronofsky is most present.

 

The rest of the cast is filled out with Jennifer Connelly as Noah’s wife, Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins and a horny Logan Lerman who I’ve missed since his fantastic work in The Perks of a Being a Wallflower.

Sure, the third act loses some of it’s momentum as the dialogue gets laid on a bit thick, but what came before it allows for forgiveness.

 

Posted on Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 5:12 pm and is filed under Reviews.
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