By Mathew Shaw/se news editor
Disaster movies never seem to go out of style, and the biblical story of Noah’s ark begs for a modern CGI retelling.
That creates a perfect storm for the release of Noah.
Director Darren Aronofsky’s latest endeavor is loosely based on the well-known biblical epic. One tweak is the film’s focus on the psychology of these people who are to be the last remaining on Earth. Another is that the characters are European-looking and speaking modern English despite the presumed setting of the ancient Middle East. But that’s where suspension of disbelief comes into play.
Noah (Russell Crowe) is more of an antihero in this adaptation. In fact, he is quite unlikable in certain parts. For example, when his son’s lover (played by Hermione Granger…er, Emma Watson) announces on the ark that she is pregnant, Noah decides that the baby must die as soon as it is born because he believes the human race is destined to die off after the flood. His family is understandably resentful of his decisions and actions, and one of his sons, Ham (played by Logan Lerman), ponders committing mutiny.
Another interesting facet is the movie’s reconciliation of the biblical account of creation with scientific theory. God said, “Let there be light,” and then the Big Bang happens in response, prompting the birth of the universe. The days of creation translate to the geologic epochs of Earth.
Some might be deterred from seeing Noah, thinking it is just another Christian flick that churches would bus their congregations to see. However, one does not have to be Christian to enjoy it if they see the movie as a disaster flick with spiritual elements.
