An epic bigger and better

Ben-Hur
English (U/A)
Cast: Jack Huston, Morgan Freeman, Rodrigo Santoro, Toby Kebbell
Director: Timur Bekmambetov

In the 21st edition of Ben-Hur, Jack Huston takes up the role of Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur who is betrayed by his brother Messala (Kebbell). However, Ben-Hur’s fate is not to rot in prisons as a slave. After escaping from a ship during a fierce battle, Ben-Hur is taken in by a wise old man named Ilderim (Freeman) with whom he travels to Jerusalem to take part in a do-or-die chariot race against his brother.

The 21st century Ben-Hur is bigger, louder and better in terms of production quality if one is to compare it with the 1959 classic. The action scenes are digitally enhanced and magnified in a realistic manner to create maximum mayhem. While the racing scenes are vivid and exciting, the script is plainly dull. So don’t expect any surprises. Also, at times, the film appears to meander too long on the details of Ben-Hur and Jesus as they cross paths.

The problem of fine-tuning the screen space for these two epic characters was equally difficult in the older version as well. But, with fine acting from the entire cast that brings to light human traits of love, forgiveness, jealousy and revenge, the film is a must-watch.