Risen (B or 3/4 stars)
'Risen' (directed by Kevin Reynolds, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) offers up a clever twist on the age old crucifixion story. The film is a bit beige in its execution and, I wish it felt more momentous in the end, but I dug this well acted, beautifully adorned biblical entertainment. Joseph Fiennes stars as the fictional Clavius, a high-ranking Roman tribute who is given an unusual assignment by Pontius Pilate (Peter Firth), who along with Jewish scribes, does not want the prophesy of a 'risen' Messiah to come true. The assignment? Aided by the inexperienced Lucius (Tom Felton, Draco of Harry Potter fame), Clavius must protect the tomb of Jewish prophet Yeshua, or "Jesus" (good 'ole Cliff Curtis), who has just been crucified, and make sure his devout followers don't steal his corpse in the dead of night.
But the next morning, the tomb is unsealed, the foolhardy guards are missing, and so is Yeshua, leaving a befuddled Clavius to track down Mary Magdelene (Maria Botto) & the 12 disciples to find out what happened before his followers create a much-unwanted disturbance over in Jerusalem (Clavius' interrogation scenes, particularly with a guard, is wonderfully executed). After a fervent search which finally results in his locating the celestial Yeshua, Clavius is rocked to the core to find him both alive, well, and performing miracles in Galilee ... prompting the cynical Roman to re-evaluate his once unflappable beliefs.
'Risen' is a mixed bag for me; positive, but with reservations. I admire the director/writers intent to present the events of Jesus' crucifixion & subsequent 'rise' as a mystery to be solved by a Roman skeptic. This film has 2 distinct acts. The 1st act includes a brutal battle scene, sinks us into that ancient milieu, & provides a creative/unconventional detective story (Clavius trying to find out what happened to Yeshua's body) -- this act is engaging & interesting. My biggest problem with this film is the lackluster 2nd act. Nothing is "bad" about it, but the ingenuity in the screenplay goes away. After finally stumbling upon a live Yeshua (Cliff Curtis embodies him very well, and looks like a Jesus would look), we see Clavius lose his skepticism as a Roman (which is cool), and we see Yeshua doing his Jesus thing, but there's no spark. The film crested already. And as I mentioned above, it wasn't as 'momentous' as it needed to be.
Joseph Fiennes has a face and a body built for these kinds of ancient biblical films of old. Right from the get-go, we're in Clavius' corner. I felt his early skepticism, I liked his pained/sorrowful detective investigation, and yet, he's most impressive in that 2nd act. His reaction to finding & encountering a living, breathing Yeshua is subtle, but strong. And I love how, even though Clavius witnesses Yeshua's miracles, is a 'believer', and is a changed man, he does not turn into one of the rapturous followers. Fiennes' caliber of acting lifts the beige/lackluster 2nd act to a respectable level. Peter Firth is entertaining as Pontius Pilate, a nervous politician/prefect who only cares about not pissing off the Emperor. The 12 disciples are presented as likeable everyday fishermen, devoted to Yeshua; particularly Stewart Scudamore as Peter. And I even liked Tom Felton as Clavius' right-hand man.
Filmed in Spain & Malta to resemble ancient Judea's breathtaking vistas, 'Risen' is beautiful to look at (thanks to Lorenzo Senatore's camerawork). The production designs (fortresses, palace interiors), costumes & make-up work are very impressive. And I liked Roque Banos' gorgeous musical score which complements this emotional story. So yeah, 'Risen' may be far from a perfect film. It is hampered by a script which leaves little room for real poetry or depth. That 2nd act drops the ball a bit, being not as developed as it could have been, and peter-ing out when it should have crescendo-ed. But I still walked away having enjoyed this film experience. Using a fictional Clavius to bring the post-crucifixion story to life is inherently interesting. And I really respect the restrained, no frills execution that 'Risen' offers.
But the next morning, the tomb is unsealed, the foolhardy guards are missing, and so is Yeshua, leaving a befuddled Clavius to track down Mary Magdelene (Maria Botto) & the 12 disciples to find out what happened before his followers create a much-unwanted disturbance over in Jerusalem (Clavius' interrogation scenes, particularly with a guard, is wonderfully executed). After a fervent search which finally results in his locating the celestial Yeshua, Clavius is rocked to the core to find him both alive, well, and performing miracles in Galilee ... prompting the cynical Roman to re-evaluate his once unflappable beliefs.
'Risen' is a mixed bag for me; positive, but with reservations. I admire the director/writers intent to present the events of Jesus' crucifixion & subsequent 'rise' as a mystery to be solved by a Roman skeptic. This film has 2 distinct acts. The 1st act includes a brutal battle scene, sinks us into that ancient milieu, & provides a creative/unconventional detective story (Clavius trying to find out what happened to Yeshua's body) -- this act is engaging & interesting. My biggest problem with this film is the lackluster 2nd act. Nothing is "bad" about it, but the ingenuity in the screenplay goes away. After finally stumbling upon a live Yeshua (Cliff Curtis embodies him very well, and looks like a Jesus would look), we see Clavius lose his skepticism as a Roman (which is cool), and we see Yeshua doing his Jesus thing, but there's no spark. The film crested already. And as I mentioned above, it wasn't as 'momentous' as it needed to be.
Joseph Fiennes has a face and a body built for these kinds of ancient biblical films of old. Right from the get-go, we're in Clavius' corner. I felt his early skepticism, I liked his pained/sorrowful detective investigation, and yet, he's most impressive in that 2nd act. His reaction to finding & encountering a living, breathing Yeshua is subtle, but strong. And I love how, even though Clavius witnesses Yeshua's miracles, is a 'believer', and is a changed man, he does not turn into one of the rapturous followers. Fiennes' caliber of acting lifts the beige/lackluster 2nd act to a respectable level. Peter Firth is entertaining as Pontius Pilate, a nervous politician/prefect who only cares about not pissing off the Emperor. The 12 disciples are presented as likeable everyday fishermen, devoted to Yeshua; particularly Stewart Scudamore as Peter. And I even liked Tom Felton as Clavius' right-hand man.
Filmed in Spain & Malta to resemble ancient Judea's breathtaking vistas, 'Risen' is beautiful to look at (thanks to Lorenzo Senatore's camerawork). The production designs (fortresses, palace interiors), costumes & make-up work are very impressive. And I liked Roque Banos' gorgeous musical score which complements this emotional story. So yeah, 'Risen' may be far from a perfect film. It is hampered by a script which leaves little room for real poetry or depth. That 2nd act drops the ball a bit, being not as developed as it could have been, and peter-ing out when it should have crescendo-ed. But I still walked away having enjoyed this film experience. Using a fictional Clavius to bring the post-crucifixion story to life is inherently interesting. And I really respect the restrained, no frills execution that 'Risen' offers.