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Review: Risen by Christian Spotlight on Entertainment
in this film. Near the beginning, there is an intense battle scene with characters
being stabbed with spears
and swords and being shot
The story is a bit bumpy at times
with arrows. Some impact is
and lacks in narrative structure as
seen, but it is not graphic.
the feature runs under 110
Some blood is shed, and one
minutes. Although the film contains character is executed by
some good dialog, a majority of
sword. The impact is not
scenes are weakly written, which
seen, but is heard, and we
causes the film’s intriguing story to see his bloodied body fall
suffer slightly. Kevin Reynolds does from a fair distance, after
not prove to show himself as a
the fact. A violent earthgreat director as he guides his audi- quake rattles the world
ence through this Biblical tale, but around many, and bloody
he does do a solid job of delivering men are seen hanging in agsome intense, edge of your seat
ony on crosses. A Roman
moments and well-executed action soldier breaks two of three
“A high-ranking Roman soldier
sequences. Overall, “Risen” may
men’s legs to speed up the
tries to prove the resurrection was
not be the best fictional re-telling of crucifixion process. The impact is
a hoax”
the Crucifixion, but it is certainly a not seen but heard.
Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) is a harsh refreshing take on the greatest story ever told and does not overly
Jesus’ side is pierced, but again the
Roman Tribune whom many fear.
preach
to
its
audience,
either.
impact is only heard, not seen. Piles
Working under the notorious Ponof dead bodies are seen as soldiers
tius Pilate (Peter Firth), Clavius
As one may assume, “Risen” does
look for the body of Christ. Most
leads legions of Roman soldiers on a
contain quite a bit of violence.
are viewed from a distance, but a
daily basis, from the battlefield to
However, this is the only content to few corpses are seen up close. One
the city streets. Clavius is a very
be concerned about. The sexual
decomposing body, in particular, is
smart, skilled tribune who appears
content is minor, as we see a few
observed with a scarred face. Bodto have control over nearly every
shirtless men wrapped in only but
ies are seen being dumped into a
situation he faces. However, his
loincloths in a couple different
heap, and another wrapped body is
world is turned upside down as he
scenes (once in a Roman bath and
burned during a funeral. Another
encounters the crucifixion of Jesus
another during a crucifixion). Pilate brief crucifixion takes place. Clavius
Christ. Clavius is shaken by this exasks Clavius what he may desire,
describes the excruciating proceperience, and after the body of
including a massage or a girl. Clavi- dure of a crucifixion to a character,
Christ “disappears,” he is ordered
us shows no interest in either.
and one man is cut in the leg with a
by Pilate to find His body, whether
When Clavius asks a group of men sword. Jesus displays His scars to
He be dead or alive. But little does
if any of them know what Mary
His disciples, and a leper is driven
Clavius know that this manhunt will
Magdalene looks like, many raise
away and beaten by a frightened
turn into a spiritual journey that
their hands slightly, implying that
crowd. The man is covered from
will not only change his life, but the
they may have slept with her. It is
head to toe with scars and boils.
course of human history… forever.
implied that she is a “woman of the
street” which is never addressed in Some wine is consumed, and there
“Risen” is a unique and clever ficis mention of some characters betional re-telling of the crucifixion of Scripture. There is no vulgar or
ing drunk.“…Believe on the Lord
Christ as told from the perspective profane language.
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
of a non-believing Roman soldier.
The violence is moderate to heavy, saved…” —Acts 16:31 (KJV)
Joseph Fiennes is in fine form as
as there is a fairly high body count
Clavius and steals the show in the
MPAA Rating:
for Biblical
violence including some disturbing images.
Reviewed by: Curtis McParland
CONTRIBUTOR
Moral Rating:
Good
Moviemaking Quality:3 out of
5 stars
Primary Audience:
Adults Teens
Genre:
Faith-based Action Adventure
Mystery Drama
Length:
1 hr. 47 min.
Year of Release:
2016
USA Release:
February 19, 2016 (wide—
2,915 theaters)

lead role. Some of the cinematography in “Risen” is beautifully shot
and is accompanied by an epic musical score.

“Risen” may not accomplish itself
as an extremely well-made feature,
but it does accomplish something
else—telling the story of the Crucifixion through the eyes of an unbeliever. It was refreshing to see a
well-executed fictionalized retelling of the Easter story told with a
different twist. I would also like to
give credit to the writers for not being overly preachy with their message. The film focuses mainly on the
personal life of Clavius, but does not
refrain from the great importance of
the life of Christ. Clavius” faith is of
great importance in the film, but
does not overpower the central plot.
The impact that Jesus makes on this
one man’s life is beautiful, indeed,
especially since Clavius hardly knew
anything about Jesus beforehand. All
he had were the clues he was piecing
together. Clavius knew that there
was something different about Jesus.
He did not fully understand what it
was that made Him so different, until he made that first step of faith
and began to follow Christ in His
footsteps. More at
http://www.christiananswers.net/spotlight/