Ben-Hur

Name: Ben-Hur
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Released: August 19, 2016
Duration: 125 min
Rating: 38
Cast: Ayelet Zurer, Jack Huston, Johan Philip Asbæk, Marwan Kenzari, Morgan Freeman

2016

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 156 Ratings

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4.9

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4.9	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 156 Ratings

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Ben-Hur

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: August 19, 2016 | PG-13

Starring: Ayelet Zurer, Jack Huston, Johan Philip Asbæk, Marwan Kenzari, Morgan Freeman, Nazanin Boniadi, Rodrigo Santoro, Sofia Black-D'Elia, Toby Kebbell

Summary: Ben-Hur is the epic story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery. After years at sea, Judah returns to his homelandBen-Hur is the epic story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery. After years at sea, Judah returns to his homeland to seek revenge, but finds redemption. [Paramount Pictures]… Expand

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, History

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 125 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Glenn Kenny

Aug 19, 2016

I’m not qualified to say whether it’s an effective delivery system for its Christian message, but I think I can credibly pronounce it a good popcorn movie. Read full review

The Guardian Jordan Hoffman

Aug 17, 2016

Surprisingly, many of Bekmambetov’s updates work well. Read full review

Tirdad Derakhshani

Aug 19, 2016

The new Ben-Hur isn't much of an improvement. Dominated by CGI effects, it's a soap opera better fit for basic cable. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Aug 17, 2016

The good news is that the story of Ben-Hur is so rock solid that not even the director of “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” can screw it up completely. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Aug 18, 2016

As directed by Timur Bekmambetov, this 21st century Ben-Hur is more phlegmatic than awful, a by and large dull and lethargic piece of work that is not bad enough to get mad at. What it lacks most of all is a convincing reason to exist. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

Aug 18, 2016

Bekmambetov and Co. have created a redesigned product that is at once inferior to the original and a slavish imitation. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Aug 18, 2016

There’s a fatally miscast lead (Jack Huston, you are no Charlton Heston), cut-rate special effects, reams of eyeball-glazing dialogue, and a schmaltzy “inspirational” script that pointlessly alters the story in ways that make absolutely no sense. Read full review

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User Reviews

TheAsianCritic

Aug 20, 2016

I never saw the original. I thought this movie was amazing. I thought the brutality of it was awesome and the naval battle scene alone was worth the ticket price.

6 of 19 users found this helpful613

druout1944

Sep 9, 2016

Excellent movie and overall my favorite of 2016 so far. The cast gives a superb performance that really conveys the story in an an impactful, emotional way. The depiction of galley slave life on its own as well as the chariot races, stand out as amazingly powerful conveyances of little shownExcellent movie and overall my favorite of 2016 so far. The cast gives a superb performance that really conveys the story in an an impactful, emotional way. The depiction of galley slave life on its own as well as the chariot races, stand out as amazingly powerful conveyances of little shown aspects of the Roman Empire. Obviously the Christian message will make those bothered by their convicted conscience give low scores as a result, but this movie is amazing and a worthy successor to the original.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Kalele005

Dec 14, 2016

really good movie with some weak moment, with beautiful words of counciousness, i did feel some emotions in the movie,for a christian film it was pretty brutal with beautiful special effect, really theses days critic are really too rough,if one of the actor or creator of this movie readingreally good movie with some weak moment, with beautiful words of counciousness, i did feel some emotions in the movie,for a christian film it was pretty brutal with beautiful special effect, really theses days critic are really too rough,if one of the actor or creator of this movie reading my review just let you know than you're movie is really great you can be proud of it. thank you… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

HealingToolbox1

Dec 18, 2016

Terrific end chariot race probably could not be better. The galley slave rowing sequence probably could not be better. Funny post-show credit animations are a hoot.

My main comment is this may be another textbook example of a script with too many hands in in and too many agendas, leadingTerrific end chariot race probably could not be better. The galley slave rowing sequence probably could not be better. Funny post-show credit animations are a hoot.

My main comment is this may be another textbook example of a script with too many hands in in and too many agendas, leading to mediocrity. Not the director but the script seems to be teh villain of this piece. The dialogue while occasionally good, even effective especially seems off the mark. It so clearly lacks a singular vision of characters, what they are learning, or any singular vision of the plot. I found the Christ story, tacked on s it is, still affecting. As other reviewers have asked, "Tell me again, WHY was this re-make necessary?"… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Percula

Nov 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 simply cut from the movie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

shiftworker

Nov 30, 2016

Roman empire drama. The problem with remakes of historical titles for me is that modernisation of attitudes and dialogue makes it harder to accept the different values of a period setting. The lighting, sets and scale all set up the right atmosphere, and things improve when Morgan FreemanRoman empire drama. The problem with remakes of historical titles for me is that modernisation of attitudes and dialogue makes it harder to accept the different values of a period setting. The lighting, sets and scale all set up the right atmosphere, and things improve when Morgan Freeman appears, but I did not find changes made to the plot added credibility. I was left disappointed, just watching another movie rather than becoming involved in a timeless story.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

WendyT

Aug 20, 2016

Stripped of the sly gay sub text in the Vidal-crafted screenplay of the original this is a slog to get through. Technical improvements in the chariot race are noteworthy but hardly revolutionary not to mention that you pay a steep price in sitting through stilted dialog and wooden acting toStripped of the sly gay sub text in the Vidal-crafted screenplay of the original this is a slog to get through. Technical improvements in the chariot race are noteworthy but hardly revolutionary not to mention that you pay a steep price in sitting through stilted dialog and wooden acting to view them. Save your money; all you really need to know we learned int he original - if you contract leprosy a good crucifixion will take care of those legions faster than you can consume a box of Junior Mints.… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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