By Will Sevy
Staff Writer
While the Biblical tale of Noah and his ark may seem to be an outdated story, it comes as a pleasant surprise that esteemed director Darren Aronofsky is able to make the tale feel relevant in his interpretation, while also forging a level of intensity that parallels and even rivals most modern action films.
“Noah,” from the director of “Black Swan” and “The Wrestler,” is a thrilling movie that ties the Biblical epic into the 21st century through the combination of stunning visual effects and genuine acting, all of which is brought to life through natural dialogue.
“Noah” is based off the Biblical epic of the same name and set shortly after the dawn of creation. The film follows Noah (Russell Crowe), descendant of Adam and Eve, who receives a divine message from God. He is ordered to build an ark to save his family and two of every animal from a terrible flood that will kill everything on earth in response to mankind’s sins.
Noah must decipher God’s message and build the ark, all while fending off the violent people of King Tubal-Cain, who believe they should be the ones to survive on the ark and are willing to kill to claim it.
One of the film’s best attributes is its captivating visual effects. The expansive sets, gigantic ark and fallen angels who help Noah with the construction of the ark all prove outstanding with brilliant colors and intense attention to detail. The visually stunning, massive ark and gorgeous panoramas of nature instill the film with a sense of scale and keep the movie from ever feeling dull.
However, special effects and pleasing aesthetics are not the only standout aspects of “Noah.” Quality screenwriting is the foundation of the film. The layered dialogue, which includes discussion about the significance of life and the creation of the universe and God, succeeds in making a movie that could have been purely action-driven into a thought-provoking, relevant film, while avoiding preaching.
The script is also the basis of the films’ multi-dimensional protagonist. Noah’s character grounds the already larger than life conflict of trying to save the world because of the realistic nature of his character who, despite being the hero, still has flaws. For instance, Noah struggles with his commitment to build the ark and to protect his family. The conflict of a man torn between his family and work is easy to sympathize with, making the crux of the narrative accessible through the portrayal of the prophet as a genuine human being.
Thankfully, Noah’s character is also brought to life by Crowe’s acting. Crowe varies from warm and loving when Noah is with his family, to obsessed and even neurotic as the pressure of completing the ark begins to set in. The wide range of his emotions and the believability of those feelings dynamically bring Noah to life.
Such talented acting is also seen in the supporting role of Emma Watson, who plays Ila, Noah’s adopted daughter. Watson conveys a constant sense of sincerity through her raw emotions, successfully allowing the viewer to empathize with her character’s struggles throughout the film. Some of the film’s most climactic moments are the scenes where Ila is in peril, provoking the greatest sense of fear from the audience.
From Noah’s vision of the apocalypse and the building of the ark, to the flood and aftermath, the film is full of high intensity moments. This ever-present sense of action gives the film a constant sense of danger that adds contrast to the more intellectual dialogue.
The use of stunning visuals and convincing acting in “Noah” is further complimented by its engaging action and thought-provoking dialogue. As a result, the film proves to be a remarkable interpretation of the classic Biblical tale.
“Noah” is rated PG-13 and is now playing in theaters throughout the country.
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