Review of Risen (2016) by Patrick L — 17 Aug 2016

"We finally have a Biblical tale that's actually worth telling. "Risen" is more compassionate and faithful compared to some of the recent faith-based productions we've been getting lately".

DVD Movie Review: Risen.

Date Viewed: June 1 2016.

Directed By Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Count of Monte Cristo, Tristan & Isolde, 187 and Waterworld).

Screenplay By Kevin Reynolds and Paul Aiello, Story By Paul Aiello.

Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth, Cliff Curtis, Maria Botto, Luis Callejo, Antonio Gil, Joe Manjon, Pepe Lorente, Stewart Scudamore, Stephen Hagan and Mish Boyko.

I'm really getting tired of the faith-based movie genre but one of those few exceptions is "Risen". It is more compassionate and faithful compared to most recent faith-based productions we've been getting lately. Yes, it's made by the same director who gave us "Waterworld" but a fairly accurate screenplay and fine performances from Joseph Fiennes and Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy, from the "Harry Potter" series) make "Risen" one of the rare Biblical movies you should seek out.

Fiennes stars as Clavius, a Roman Tribune gets assigned to solve the mystery into what happened to Jesus's body following his crucifixion. After leading his army into victory against a Zealot revolution, he and his partner, Lucius (Felton) are appointed by Pontius Plate (Peter Firth) to undergo rumors of a risen Messiah.

Clavius objects these rumors and he and Lucius look into the case of Jesus' missing body. When Clavius and Lucius raid a Jewish enclave, they are shocked to discover a newly resurrected Jesus Christ (Cliff Curtis) who now goes by the name, Yeshua. As he and his followers are on a journey to healing,.

Clavius and Lucius must also prevent an uprising from occurring in Jerusalem.

Director and co-writer Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Tristan & Isolde, The Count of Monte Cristo, Waterworld) gives us a different take on the Greatest Story Ever Told with well-paced historical action and beautiful cinematography from Lorenzo Senatore. Joseph Fiennes who is known to audiences as Ralph Fiennes' brother gives a quietly thoughtful performance as Clavius who is sort of the Bible's version of Sherlock Holmes.

We finally have a Biblical tale that's actually worth telling.