Risen (2016)

Risen is a well-produced, coherent historical drama about Roman involvement in the crucifixion (and resurrection) of Jesus Christ. It falls short of the highwater mark for authenticity and emotional impact held by the The Passion of the Christ, but it starts out a bit like Troy or 300 to establish the gritty bona fides of Clavius, the trusted and capable ranking officer and right hand of Pontius Pilate. Clavius is constantly summoned to put down rabbles and rebellions against Roman rule, slaying every messianic pretender and his followers when they refuse to submit. It is wearing on him though, and his life’s goal is to attain “a day without death.” He returns from a costly mission and is immediately charged with “finishing” the now-in-progress crucifixion of Christ. These scenes are vivid, since the Romans are proficient at their craft – but several are moved to perceive this man was different. Shortly after burial, however, the body is reported missing – and Clavius is commanded to use whatever means necessary to find the body and quell the nascent rumors. The second half of the movie is largely a fictionalized account of Clavius’ subsequent journey, though several scenes center on Peter and his final encounters with Christ. I wish they had not taken liberties with Christ’s own final scene – the biblical narrative is eminently more acceptable than using special effects to show him walking into a glaring sunrise and turning into a cloud of dandelion fluff (or something like that). Seen at a Houston preview. 4.5 stars. (2-5-16)