What can be more mystical, magical and awe-inspiring than the miracles
of nature itself? Nothing else but the vast ocean of human emotions and the
subject matter of a phenomenon called life. Darren Aronofsky’s NOAH tries to
paint and picture both in a balanced manner but not without gluttony of having
great time at powerful visual-effects machines for creating an alienated world
of absolute faith, belief and trust any religious foundation advocates.
In an evocative dream, Noah [Played brilliantly by Russell Crowe] foresees
hints of massive destruction of the world and civilization and that he is the
chosen one to save some of it in order to re-start the course of action for
evolution soon after. Though the evil forces don’t look much trouble in shaking
up his conviction, it’s his own beliefs and values that drive him to a point
where he doesn’t even blink from taking up dagger against his owns.
Taken from the famous biblical tale of Noah building an enormous ark to
save creatures of every kind in the animal kingdom from the anticipated catastrophic
flood, Darren Aronofsky doesn’t leave any stone unturned to make an all entertaining
disaster movie packed with overpowering visuals mixed well with top-notch
performances. So, when Noah with his family encounters the Watchers, angles
once sent from heaven to help humankind, you couldn’t stop yourself from
seeking comparisons between them and the new-age transformers. They look more
like the stoned version of the metallic giants. In one of the most breathtaking
sequences in the film, Aronofsky produces the fast-motion evolution scene from
the origin of life to the present form of human race. This could be well-described
as an ode to Terrence Mallick’s THE TREE OF LIFE. Magnificently done!
Apart from giving the impression of being a larger than life story
mainly in its visual grandeur, NOAH also strives to take the very humane emotional
path in subduing the stature of Noah to a man of responsibilities. From a God
fearing believer to much caring family man, the transition is smooth, subtle
and almost blurred. Credit needs to go to Russell for an absolute believable
performance. Jennifer Connelly supports him well as his wife standing by him in
all. Watch her exploding in emotions when Noah makes him mind up to end human
race with them as it’s perhaps the only way to protect God’s most astounding creation
from being tarnished with sins only found and dwelled in humankind. In a
special appearance, Anthony Hopkins lights up each frame he’s in. Emma Watson
as Noah’s adopted daughter and the life partner of his eldest son Shem gets a
good meaty role to shine and impress.
At the end, it is a mythological fiction of faith that not only strikes much
to entertain but also takes itself seriously too. [3.5/5]
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