Risen Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Risen Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 26, 2016

Note: This review is based on the 1080p Blu-ray included with the 'Risen' UHD release. Sony did not provide a standalone retail copy of the 1080p version. Other than perhaps disc artwork, the releases should be identical.

Director Kevin Reynolds' (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, WaterWorld) Risen attempts, and largely succeeds in the effort, to explore the concept of faith through the eyes of a worldly nonbeliever who finds himself a firsthand witness to Christ's miracles. But it's not simply another straight Biblical retelling. The movie intermixes Biblical scripture with some dramatic license as the movie explores Christ's crucifixion, His resurrection, and the miracles that occurred in the days following. By this approach, even as the film doesn't deviate from, but rather adds to, the story, it humanizes it in a way never before experienced on the screen, resulting in a unique and, in some ways, more impactful narrative arc that gives more relatable, "outsider" eyes and ears to some of the key details, teachings, miracles, and foundational faith elements from Christianity.

It starts at the end.

Roman Tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) is tasked with overseeing Christ's (Cliff Curtis) crucifixion. He grants Joseph of Arimathea (Antonio Gil) permission to take the body and bury it in a family tomb. Pontius Pilate (Peter Firth) fears rumors of Christ's resurrection, and all that would mean, and orders the tomb sealed. But it's opened, anyway, and the body vanishes. Clavius is ordered to investigate the disappearance. The investigation ultimately less him to Christ's disciples and, to his surprise, Christ (called "Yeshua" in the film) Himself, alive and showing the wounds to his hands, feet, and side, just as Clavius saw Him dead on the cross. As the Roman wrestles with what he's seen, he bears witness to both the disciples' devotion to Christ and Christ's own miracles. He must come to terms with his growing acceptance in Christ's divinity.

Risen clearly derives its substance from Scripture, but at its core is a mystery movie that follows the main character who oversees Christ's crucifixion and is later tasked with investigating the body's disappearance. The film follows classic genre permutations. He explores the evidence and interviews suspects on the trail. But it's in the film's second half that it deviates from standard procedural elements but nevertheless maintains its investigative mystery styling. As Clavius comes to know the truth of Christ's whereabouts and, more important, His divinity, he's faced with a new task, not for the Empire but for himself: to understand what he sees, to figure out the power of faith, to grasp the importance of all he witnesses. It's here where the movie shines, offering a unique examination of faith and acceptance as much by the soul as with the eyes and ears. Clavius certainly has the added benefit of the physical senses supporting the burgeoning truths that surround him, but the film smartly focuses more on the inner dilemmas and the growing sense of belief that Christ is more than a man who died on a cross. Risen easily, craftily, and smartly intermixes outward sensations with inward revelations that not only offer a new perspective on the story but, in its own unique way, reinforce its teachings.

The movie may not be a technical wonder -- it's rather straightforward in construction -- but Director Kevin Reynolds does use light as an imagery tool to strong effect. The film is otherwise carried by its blend of narrative uniqueness and creativity and, particularly, its performances. Joseph Fiennes dominates in the lead role, more exploring his inner journey rather than his outer journey. His emotions are tangible, but changes in them are subtle, particularly in the film's first and second acts before the more revelatory third. He carries the character with a necessary cold edge to begin but also exhibits a mild vulnerability that leaves him believably open to all he witnesses as the film progresses. He intermixes stoicism, confusion, wonder, self-reflection, and ultimately acceptance and belief very well. Peter Firth is excellent as Pilate and Cliff Curtis is a natural as Christ, the latter bringing just the right look and temperament to the part, bringing a warm outward humanity but an inner confidence and sense of power and love to the role, necessary components when portraying Christ and particularly in the brief timeframe the film explores. Curtis' performance so far seems to lack the resonance of some others who have portrayed Christ, but the performance is not to be missed or forgotten; he's excellent.

Risen Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Risen's 1080p transfer may not be divine, but it's a solid enough digitally sourced image. The picture presents the basics nicely enough. The digital façade can surprisingly leave some details a little flatter than ideal. Roughly textured stone structures, frayed garments, and sandy and pebbly terrain don't always find the level of tactile, tangible sharpness and definition one may expect, instead appearing a touch smooth. That said, details are never full-on disappointing. Close-ups can be, and often are, pleasantly revealing. Scruffy facial hair, bloody battle wounds, pores, and wrinkles enjoy satisfactory intimate definition in close-up shots, while scuffed armor and other little support bits fare well enough. Colors aren't particularly vibrant. The movie favors a fairly intense beige/earthy color scheme. Red accents, mostly on attire and some blood, stand apart nicely enough, though vibrancy is kept in check, seemingly by design. Black levels are healthy enough in nighttime exteriors. Flesh tones are a bit creamy but appear realistic. Light noise can be found sprinkled throughout. Otherwise, no other serious maladies are present.

Risen Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Risen's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack satisfies, but never excels. Sounds of battle in the movie's opening minutes are a bit tepid. Some launched arrows swoosh and thrown pila zip through the stage, but the effects are a bit on the light side and more heavily clanking shields in Testudo formation and screaming combatants don't penetrate, saturate, or dominate the stage as one might expect. There's a fair bit of low end aggression during an earthquake preceding Christ's death on the cross. The soundstage adequately rattles as buildings partially collapse. Other effects, like a flock of birds swirling through the stage, come across as a bit reserved. Musical clarity and spacing are fine. Dialogue delivery flows from the center with positive prioritization and verbal definition.

Risen Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Risen contains several extras, included a commentary track, deleted scenes, and several featurettes. A UV digital copy voucher is included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary: Producer Patrick Aiello and Writer Paul Aiello offer a balanced and informative track, covering basics such as shooting locations, the film's structure and style, cast and performances, sets and shooting locations, editing and photography, themes, and more. Much of this is covered in lesser detail in later supplements, but for a more fleshed-out insight into the movie, this is the best place to go on the disc.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, Dolby Digital 2.0): This Was Revenge (1:01), He Was a Disappointment (1:03), The Search Continues (0:48), He Should Have Returned (0:28), and I Want to Understand (1:22).
• The Mystery of the Resurrection: Making Risen (1080p, 11:14): A look at film origins, creating a character not from the Bible, the film's structure and style, Kevin Reynolds' direction, shooting the crucifixion scene and its importance to the movie, and the apostle characters and the actors that portray them.
• Creating A.D. Jerusalem (1080p, 9:29): A closer look at the movie's production design, set pieces, details behind the crucifixion sequence, shooting in Spain for the Sea of Galilee, Pilate's palace, and more.
• The Battle of the Zealots Deconstructed (1080p, 5:03): A short look at the details behind making a battle scene that takes place near film's start, including a bit of history behind the real event depicted in the film.
• Script to Screen (1080p, 3:57): A short discussion of what separates this film from others about Christ's death, Joseph Fiennes' performance, ensuring a "scripturally harmonious" film, and more.
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.

Risen Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Risen may not have the raw, visceral impact of The Passion of the Christ, and it may not ever find the same legacy as The Greatest Story Ever Told, but it's a unique and engaging motion picture that shakes up traditional formula and explores the key tenants of Christian salvation from a new perspective. The film boasts solid production values and several top-quality performances, particularly from Cliff Curtis as Christ. Sony's Blu-ray release of Risen features very good video and audio. Supplements satisfy in both quality and quantity. Highly recommended.