BEN-HUR (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Ben-Hur—A for effort, B for presentation—just misses classic status. This is a tough story and needs tough male actors to fill the character roles. The film fails to supersede the quality of the 1959 Ben Hur movie due to failure in the casting department or in the directing department. Even all-star Morgan Freeman fails to carry his character well. This seems a direct result of the weakness seen in the interpretation of the script’s characters.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Conflict between a Jewish Prince (Jack Huston) and a Roman Commander (Toby Kebbell) send the Prince on a difficult and long journey far from his home.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Timur Bekmambetov for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jason F. Brown, Mark Burnett, Keith R. Clarke, Roma Downey, Enzo Sisti, and John Ridley for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston) Messala Severus (Toby Kebbell), Jesus (Rodrigo Santoro), Esther (Nazanin Boniadi), Naomi Ben-Hur (Ayelet Zurer), Pontius Pilate (Pilou Asbæk), Tirzah Ben-Hur (Sofia Black-D’Elia), Ilderim (Morgan Freeman), Druses (Marwan Kenzari), Dismas (Moises Arias), and Quintus (James Cosmo).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This film has scope, but a better watch for authenticity and acting is: William Wyler’s 1959 version of Ben Hur starring Charlton Heston.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers