Those expecting to see an awe-inspiring spectacle of Jesus Christ's eternal love for mankind right in time for the Easter holiday will be sorely disappointed by Passover-inspired thriller The Reaping.
The movie kicks it Old Testament style, where God Almighty is a deity with a short temper and a quick trigger finger for those who do not follow him. However, this does not stop Katherine Winter (Hilary Swank), a renowned theological myth-buster and professor at Louisiana State University, from attaching scientific explanations to miraculous situations around the world. The latest of such scenarios occurs in a small town of Haven, where two miles of river have turned to blood.
In addition to the 10 biblical plagues, this movie has a few bonus ones. The 11th plague is the citizenry of Haven, which has the combined IQ of a doorknob. The 12th and most painful plague is the typical slasher-flick characters-running off alone and making counterintuitive decisions.
Like a touch of the Lord's own hand, the cinematography and special effects crews save The Reaping from total damnation-sort of. The gorgeous landscape shots of rural Louisiana are slightly reminiscent of Forrest Gump thanks to producer Robert Zemeckis. The special effects courtesy of K.N.B. EFX Group are top notch without detracting from the overall experience.
This film certainly isn't a must-see-unless witnessing the most random sex scene since Underworld: Evolution or watching Hilary Swank clean blood off a little girl's leg while awkwardly explaining puberty is your cup of tea. However, The Reaping is not a total loss thanks to some solid behind-the camera-production work.
North Carolina State University sophomore Jamie Thomas is a guest reporter for recess.
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