An epic drama described as the “best and worst” Bible film is streaming now in the UK. Noah (2014) loosely inspired by the biblical story of Noah’s Ark from the Book of Genesis, as well as the Book of Enoch. Russell Crowe stars in the titular role, with the Biblical hero haunted by visions of the earth being consumed by floods.
He comes to believe that God wishes him to build an ark to save his family and the animal kingdom while the sinners of the world are drowned. But Tubal-Cain (Ray Winstone), the leader of an opposing community, despises Noah and doesn’t believe the flood is coming, and sets his sights on scuppering his rival’s plans to strengthen his own authority. The all-star cast also includes Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, and Anthony Hopkins.
The film is far from a straight-retelling of the Biblical story, with director and co-writer Darren Aronofsky taking a great deal of artistic license, including in the relationship between Noah and Tubal-Cain, which isn’t canonical.
It also incoporates surreal elements that don’t appear in religious texts, like giant angels made of stone that assist with building the vast vessel, and uses the story to highlight modern environmental concerns.
Gizmodo called Noah the “best and worst Bible movie you’ll ever see”, with contribuor Annalee Newitz writing that though it’s “easy to have a profound conversation about the spiritual traditions” the movie evokes, “it’s just as easy to find a lot of the film laughable”.
“The animals are like something out of a sappy poster in Sunday School, the monsters are like bad Lord of the Rings ripoffs, and Crowe’s hairstyle changes so often that it practically has its own character arc”, calling the film “unrelentingly weird”.
Noah divided fans on IMDb, reflected in its middling 5.8/10 score.
One fan said the film “takes a while to get off the ground, with the first half being somewhat slow and somewhat bewildering, but the second half pulled me in with some great plot twists”.
“The cast was great, with some very strong performances, especially from Russel Crowe in particular,” they added.
Another wrote that they were “stunned” by the film – and not in a good way. “There was no real reason to use the title ‘Noah'”, they argued. “I expected this movie to be an attempt to make a new and edgy adaptation of the biblical story of Noah that reflects current social conflicts.
“It’s not that. It’s just a CGI action movie with all the standard trappings and devices you expect in a recent-vintage CGI action movie.”
But others loved it, with one giving it a 10/10, writing: “First off, you should not plan to see Noah because it is a biblical epic, nor should you plan to skip Noah precisely because it is a biblical epic.
“You should however, see Noah because it is an amazing film, using the basic story of Noah’s ark to deliver a fantasy action/adventure and a psychological horror story and deliver a very relevant ecological message that’s subtle,” they said, adding that the visuals are “out of this world”.
Another user reviewer said it’s a “very powerful film, that will make you take a closer look at yourself after the end credits roll” and is “not really the action film it’s being made out to be”.
“It’s a very thought provoking, beautifully shot film with some memorable sequences–despite several flaws. I found that there were a few predictable moments and the end lacked a climatic punch–on both plot and character driven levels.
“I can’t give this film a review without mentioning Aronofsky and his wonderful vision. For those who don’t like the film due to its unfaithfulness to the source material, then, think again.
“This is a film that people of all different faiths would enjoy.”
The film has a 12 certificate and contains moderate violence, injury detail, and threat.
Noah was recently added to Netflix in the UK, and is also on Disney+. Additionally, you can stream it free with ads on Plex, or rent or buy on various platforms, including YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime.
