Remaking a film (which in itself was a remake of a silent movie) that won 11 Academy Awards and considered to be one of the greatest of all time is a monumental task and Ben-Hur of 2016 makes the grade on effort....but it falls short on other aspects.
Produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, known for their Christian faith based films and TV series, Ben-Hur has the feel of TV movie written by your Sunday Pastor. It is just too clean, no edgy conflict or flawed characters that can keep you glued to your seat. Jack Huston plays the iconic titular character like a college student whose final requirement is to be a lead actor in the film. Can't blame him though since the writing is just too bland.
The scenes on the ship during the time when he was a slave was commendable and at some point it has the look and feel of a George Miller action film. The chariot scenes though pale in comparison especially side by side with the 1959 film. Director Timor Bekmambetov has made Wanted which has some spectacular action scenes but due to most likely "creative control" of the producers, this Ben-Hur again felt like a school production with a big budget.
Morgan Freeman played his mentor and just like in Morgan Freeman fashion, he played Morgan Freeman, in a tunic and dreads that's more at par in Battlefield Earth. The only saving grace among the actors is Rodrigo Santoro who plays Jesus Christ. He has the look and most especially the expressive eyes of the Son of God. Too bad, he gets to unnaturally pop in and out of scenes to give and speak out his teachings. It ain't convincing - he deserves a better film.
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