By Matthew McConathy/ reporter
Photo courtesy Columbia Pictures
Directed by Kevin Reynolds, Risen is a well-crafted faith-based movie that gives an interesting account about the biblical events of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
The film’s theme is well known. The story is recaptured through the view of an atheist Roman soldier. It has a different approach than previous biblical movies in that it shows deserts as actually dirty and shows the Roman outpost where the Crucifixion took place. It gives a new image to a well-known story.
The plot begins in 33 A.D. with Clavius, an officer under the rule of Pontius Pilate and Jewish rabbis. He has been given orders to execute and remove the so-called Messiah and make a special burial place for him. Upon orders, he was buried and sealed into a tomb so the presumed Messiah would not rise from the dead.
Afterward, skipping many biblical scenes, the film turns into a CSI-like investigation on who opened the tomb. Clavius talks to people who know Christ’s followers, interrogating them for information on who opened the tomb.
During a raid to find Christ’s followers suspected of stealing his body, Clavius discovers Christ alive and well. In turn, he becomes a follower. The movie could be criticized as being too fast or “love at first sight” with no time to think about things before Clavius immediately becomes a follower.
The film’s events are only from sections of biblical scripture. Some of Christ’s disciples and other biblical events are not included. The meaning is the same, yet some of the story is structured to follow the fictional plot of Clavius. The added character seems to be a symbol of current atheism compared to Christianity through a faith-based message.
With the same message and new story tactics, the style and tone are set for adding a new dramatization to the scenes. It could be seen as a rerun from many Christian films, but new imagery and the blending of an atheist view along with an added fictional character enhances its storyline.
Risen would be recommended for anyone interested in the events of Christ from another point of view.
