Ben-Hur

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: August 19, 2016

4.9	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 156 Ratings

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foxgroveSep 8, 2016

Comparisons are odious as propagated by those who suffer from such comparisons, and whilst films like this attempt to remake classics from the golden years it is highly likely that the comparison drawn will be unfavourable to the pretender.Comparisons are odious as propagated by those who suffer from such comparisons, and whilst films like this attempt to remake classics from the golden years it is highly likely that the comparison drawn will be unfavourable to the pretender. The original Ben Hur was a record breaking, Oscar laden epic that employed the old school styles of acting, colour and cheesy special effects with such assured confidence that it almost defied criticism. This Ben Hur invites it, even if ultimately it is not as bad as cynical naysayers would have us believe. The original Judah, Charlton Heston, took the whole thing incredibly seriously turning in an Oscar winning performance which cemented his appeal in this type of sword and sandals pic. I’m afraid that Jack Huston’s lack of screen presence and charisma will not be doing the same for him. His Ben Hur, along with the rest of the cast actually, is one dimensional and colourless complimenting, in fact, the surprisingly drab production values. Director Timur Bekmambetov keeps the camera in close for many scenes which has the effect of dissipating any chance of an epic aura. To add to this the actors’ line delivery is often flat and unconvincing. This adds immeasurably to the amateurish feel that the production can’t seem to dispel for much of its running time. Still, two sequences work very well indeed aided no end by some wonderful camera shots, precise editing and impressive special visual effects. Firstly, the chariot race is good enough, and long enough, to stand favourable comparison to the earlier film and the galley slave scenes are also up to par in their excitement value. Not a complete disaster then, but it is another remake that is as misjudged and second rate as it is unnecessary.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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EpicLadySpongeAug 19, 2016

Remember the previous Ben-Hur films we've seen that was inspired from the book? You get the 1907 short, the 1925 silent feature film, the 1959 award-winning feature film, the 2003 animated film, and now this live-action adaption and guessRemember the previous Ben-Hur films we've seen that was inspired from the book? You get the 1907 short, the 1925 silent feature film, the 1959 award-winning feature film, the 2003 animated film, and now this live-action adaption and guess what they all have in common? They follow the plot from the book with minor differences. One of the differences is that this Ben-Hur is just another plain Ben-Hur for the new generation of people. Just sit back and watch the 1959 award-winning film instead.… Expand

5 of 9 users found this helpful54

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daviddelnorte23Mar 20, 2017

Cuando supe que iban a hacer un remake de 'Ben-Hur' me ilusioné bastante dado que nunca había visto la legendaria cinta original. Además contaba con Jack Huston de protagonista, un actor que me gusta bastante.

Pero muy lejos de esa realidad,Cuando supe que iban a hacer un remake de 'Ben-Hur' me ilusioné bastante dado que nunca había visto la legendaria cinta original. Además contaba con Jack Huston de protagonista, un actor que me gusta bastante.

Pero muy lejos de esa realidad, Ben-Hur es una película sin alma, aburrida hasta las galeras que apenas cuenta nada y muy moñas... A partir de las galeras, se convierte en una película que a mi al menos me entretuvo y no se me hizo demasiado pesada, alguna aparición esporadica de Jesucristo estaba interesante...

Jack Huston está bien, el problema es SU personaje que es muy muy malo. Morgan Freeman está bien, pero el personaje sale poco... Esta película tiene que meterse mucho más de lleno en el tema de la religión. Y por favor señores de Hollywood, esas bajadas de pantalones con los finales, No. Es vergonzoso el final de esta película.

En definitiva, Ben-Hur, entretenida. Ben-Hur, mala. Ben-Hur, cobarde. Un 5 con generosidad, porque sale Jack Huston… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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PerculaNov 14, 2016

I cannot forgive Ben Hur wearing Jeans but all in all this film is quite acceptable. As for the CGI: It is just the one scene from the trailers - the horse climbing the amphitheatre's ranks - that should have either been improved or simplyI cannot forgive Ben Hur wearing Jeans but all in all this film is quite acceptable. As for the CGI: It is just the one scene from the trailers - the horse climbing the amphitheatre's ranks - that should have either been improved or simply cut from the movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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TVJerrySep 7, 2016

In his early career Timur Bekmambetov, directed some wonderfully innovative films (Day Watch, Wanted), so I was hoping this movie's famous chariot race would at least be cool. There were some high-energy moments and a few good crashes, butIn his early career Timur Bekmambetov, directed some wonderfully innovative films (Day Watch, Wanted), so I was hoping this movie's famous chariot race would at least be cool. There were some high-energy moments and a few good crashes, but this scene (and the whole film) just felt lax. This epic follows the conflict of 2 half-brothers in the time of Jesus: one is a Jewish price and the other a Roman. With the exception of the big boat battle, there's little dramatic tension. Ben-Hur's more concerned about emotional engagement than conflict, so we get a heartfelt drama when we want spectacle. It doesn't help that Jack Huston in the titular role lacks the charisma or presence to give it momentum.… Expand