Review of Ben-Hur (2016) by Calvin C — 18 Aug 2016

A remake that made everyone scratch their heads when they announced it. This is actually the 5th adaptation of Ben-Hur, but everyone knows the 1959 version with Charlton Heston because it is still the best version and it won all those Oscars. This 2016 remake will not win any Oscars, but to my own surprise, it wasn't the dud I thought it would be. Jack Huston and Toby Kebbell are fine as the two leads. They didn't really wow me, especially Huston, who pales in comparison to Heston. He was just kind of just there. Nothing spectacular about his performance. Rodrigo Santoro as Jesus was one of the best parts of the movie and gave his small role a lot of meaning. The biggest problem I had with this was the use of handheld cameras and quick cuts, especially during the signature chariot race. It was hard to see what was going on half the time. I was dizzy by the end of it all. A story as grand as Ben-Hur doesn't need to be shot like it is an action movie. The directing and editing really took me out of the movie at times. The movie is actually decent considering what came before it, but unfortunately, it is still titled Ben-Hur. It has to live up to the 1959 classic, which it never comes close to. However, I can't say I completely hated it when all was said and done. But, don't get me wrong, I'll still stick with Heston's version.

Grade: B-.