For people who haven’t watched any of the previous adaptations, this might prove to be a better pick than Bollywood period dramas like ‘Mohenjo Daro’ but for those who have, it‘ll just be disappointing.

While Bekmambetov couldn’t be faulted for trying to keep a distance from the 1959 version — and who wouldn’t, given its monstrous 11 Oscars — where Ben-Hur ultimately fails is in how far it seeks to travel. Its ending even further dilutes whatever little impact its sympathetic viewing of Biblical characters may have generated, showing it up for half-hearted at best.

Ben-Hur is exactly what it says on the tin: A remake of a remake, that is also a prime example of Hollywood whitewashing and another addition in the growing list of religious-themed films. Oh, and they put Morgan Freeman in a Bob Marley wig.

Judah Ben-Hur is a classic tale that will live on for centuries, a story that is not quite the tragedy that it could have been.

Morgan Freeman’s character – a shrewd but honest merchant who cannot resist a good bet – is sagely wise enough, and he carries it off with effortless ease. All in all, justice has been done to this tale of epic scale.

The comparisons to the 1959 film of the same name are inevitable. And because they belong to different eras, play out differently. The good news, that despite it not being superior to the 1959 film, it’s well worth your time and stands on its own, despite its… shorter running time.

On the whole BEN-HUR that is set around the last days of Christ does have a lot of references to the Christian faith that could leave the audience who are uninformed about the faith, a bit lost. However, BEN-HUR despite its lengthy run time does make for a decent watch.

The 1959 Ben-Hur was a landmark in Hollywood. It was a film that set a precedent for mythological and historical sagas. The new film is like a cheap Chinese clone. Its slick to look at, but once you experience it first hand; you realize it is in essence a cheap knock-off.

There’s really nothing new in it other than what modern technology can bring. The story’s eventual outcome – a lesson in repentance, is lost in the visual bombast designed in overkill.

There is one fundamental problem with a 2016 reboot of Ben Hur – that absolutely no one needed it.

Watch it for the gripping narrative and some brilliant acting by the two leads – Huston and Kebbell. To its core, this is a movie about love, family, struggle, and revenge, which will keep you engaged for the entire length of the movie. Ben-Hur surely qualifies as an entertaining weekend pick.

This Ben-Hur isn’t a total washout, but it doesn’t hit that much-needed high note that could distinguish it from its far superior predecessor.

Beltrami’s music enhances the viewing experience and, overall, as mentioned earlier, this is a well-made epic that gives you the essence of the subject, but is definitely not comparable to the earlier classic.

Bemkambetov’s Ben-Hur is an adequate spectacle for viewers unaware of the existence of Wyler’s version, and the director’s impersonal approach to the charged material works fine until the moment of Ben-Hur’s encounter with Jesus Christ. The hurried ending seems tacked on to the real climax in the dust-laden arena, where men and horses shed blood for their beliefs.

Beltrami’s music enhances the viewing experience and, overall, as mentioned earlier, this is a well-made epic that gives you the essence of the subject, but is definitely not comparable to the earlier classic.

This movie is garbage. Do yourself a favour and just go watch the original.