Should you see this movie? You will probably WILL like this movie if: 1) You are a traditional Christian looking for a moving affirmation of your beliefs in the traditional post-crucifixion narrative. 2) You are anyone who enjoys the portrayal of world religions and mythos, even with creative liberties taken.
You will probably NOT like this movie if: 3) You are a traditional Christian who cannot abide any portrayal of your faith tradition that is not supported by scripture. 4) You are a non-traditional Christian hoping for a more daring re-interpretation of the Resurrection and Ascension motif in Christianity. 5) You are anyone offended by religious motif movies that positively portray core beliefs.
Personally, I am in the #2 camp. The first half of the movie was an excellent excursion into the political dynamics of Roman-occupied Judea and the psychology of Roman officials who have little interest in the internal conflicts of the local religious establishment but will do what it takes to maintain the Pax Romana. The sets are first-rate and the acting by Joseph Fiennes and Peter Firth offer an interesting dimension to the Roman mentality of the fictional Clavius and historical Pilate.
But half-way through the film, the film switches tracks (or simply derails) when Clavius has his conversion moment in the Upper Room. Afterwards, the movie loses its strongest thread and becomes a rather flat and plodding account of the familiar biblical story of the Resurrection and Ascension, all taken literally. The character of Clavius isn't really necessary except for those emotionally vested in his unfolding conversion. Pilate is likewise dropped from any meaningful character development. The focus is now on the disciples, who I think are best described as Judean hippies, and their relationship to an unimpressive Yeshua (Jesus) character.
The evangelical character of Risen is mostly kept to a low boil but is clearly, and painfully, expounded when Yeshua asks Clavius what he is afraid of and our transformed Roman tribune answers "Being wrong; and wagering eternity on it." A blatant use of Pascal's Wager, a common trope used by evangelical Christians. But that was the only occasion I felt the movie was trying to assault the audience and for the most part only passively invited the audience to come along for the ride to witness key moments in Christian mythology, draw their own conclusions and follow their own hearts.
You will probably NOT like this movie if: 3) You are a traditional Christian who cannot abide any portrayal of your faith tradition that is not supported by scripture. 4) You are a non-traditional Christian hoping for a more daring re-interpretation of the Resurrection and Ascension motif in Christianity. 5) You are anyone offended by religious motif movies that positively portray core beliefs.
Personally, I am in the #2 camp. The first half of the movie was an excellent excursion into the political dynamics of Roman-occupied Judea and the psychology of Roman officials who have little interest in the internal conflicts of the local religious establishment but will do what it takes to maintain the Pax Romana. The sets are first-rate and the acting by Joseph Fiennes and Peter Firth offer an interesting dimension to the Roman mentality of the fictional Clavius and historical Pilate.
But half-way through the film, the film switches tracks (or simply derails) when Clavius has his conversion moment in the Upper Room. Afterwards, the movie loses its strongest thread and becomes a rather flat and plodding account of the familiar biblical story of the Resurrection and Ascension, all taken literally. The character of Clavius isn't really necessary except for those emotionally vested in his unfolding conversion. Pilate is likewise dropped from any meaningful character development. The focus is now on the disciples, who I think are best described as Judean hippies, and their relationship to an unimpressive Yeshua (Jesus) character.
The evangelical character of Risen is mostly kept to a low boil but is clearly, and painfully, expounded when Yeshua asks Clavius what he is afraid of and our transformed Roman tribune answers "Being wrong; and wagering eternity on it." A blatant use of Pascal's Wager, a common trope used by evangelical Christians. But that was the only occasion I felt the movie was trying to assault the audience and for the most part only passively invited the audience to come along for the ride to witness key moments in Christian mythology, draw their own conclusions and follow their own hearts.