Review of Noah (2014) by Paul B — 19 Dec 2017

I have no issue with creative liberties, because that's what makes films interesting and unpredictable. What I take issue with, is going big for the sake of going big, adding in so much....stuff, just to pad out an overblown runtime.

Noah retells the biblical story we all know, but with quite a few twists. I understand that this film is mainstream and therefore has to appeal to everyone, but when Noah turns into an axe wielding warrior, things have gone too far.

The primary story (stretched out to an almost unbearable length) and its key elements are mostly intact, with a few exceptions and changes...And then there are the big changes, like the Lord of the Rings battle finale and the psychotic killer Noah who is an axe battle master.

All of this was thrown in what looks like an attempt to appeal to the younger crowd and pull them in. Okay, I get that, but you then not only drive away those who are looking for a faithful adaptation, but also those who get irritated at the overly grandiose nature of everything.

Along with the overblown film is the overblown cast. The film boasts a pot luck ranging from Anthony Hopkins all the way to Emma Watson. Russell Crowe does a fine job as Noah, until the horrendous writing kicks in that turns him into a psychotic killer with skills that would make Liam Neeson look twice.

Jennifer Connelly is there just to be there, I guess. Her presence is about as powerful and memorable as the fifty words or so that she speaks, so there's that. The only good thing I can say about the film, personally, would be about the visual effects, which looked great at the end.

I mention the end, because the animals and Fallen during the film look a little fake and hokey. By the time is thankfully ends, we aren't left with an inspirational tale, we're left with a two and a half hour wannabe Tale from Middle Earth.