Noah (12A)

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

3 Stars

It has been banned in several parts of the Middle East and criticised by Jewish and Christian groups alike. But, frankly, Darren Aronofsky's Noah needs all the publicity - good or bad - it can get to stop it sinking at the box office.

For starters, it is merely inspired by the biblical tale which means Aronofsky has played a little fast-and-loose with the story and that has angered many religious groups.

But Aronofsky can be forgiven for some of the changes he has made because the original text lacks any drama or tension. Yet portraying Noah's three sons as youngsters instead of the three grown men who joined their father on the ark with their three wives isn't one of them.

This begs the unfortunate question of how could they repopulate the Earth post-deluge when the only women left in the world were their mother (Jennifer Connelly), their older brother's girlfriend (Emma Watson) and the couple's new-born baby girls?

On top of that, Noah's decision to kill off his grandchildren for being girls is pretty distasteful and a questionable plot point.

Yet it is a film of biblical proportions with sweeping visuals to match and solid performances throughout. It is dark, bleak and provides a stark environmental warning of where we are heading today.

Russell Crowe makes a powerful and intense Noah who's burdened with survivor's guilt and Connelly is his beautiful and supportive wife for the second time in her career.

Ray Winstone is in usual gung-ho form as his nemesis and arch enemy Tubal-cain who storms the ark in a bid to save himself and his men.

Overly worthy and grandiose, Noah needs far more tension and thought-provoking action. As it has neither, it's not a film which will float everybody's boat.