MICHAEL LOMAX: ‘Ben-Hur’ has bright spots but ultimately disappoints

In his 60-year career, actor Charlton Heston starred in a number of iconic films and established his place as one of the greatest movie actors who ever lived. Heston’s role in 1959’s “Ben-Hur” is specifically one of his most famous and enduring, and having watched the latest remake directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the original’s place in history is very much secure.

Put simply, while not as awful as many critics are making it out to be, 2016’s “Ben-Hur” would have been better left alone.

Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a Jewish nobleman in Roman-occupied Jerusalem, is betrayed by his adoptive brother, Messala (Toby Kebbell), and falsely accused of treason. Ben-Hur spends the next several years as a Roman slave and later attempts to win his freedom while gaining some measure of revenge on his former childhood friend.

What made the original “Ben-Hur” iconic is exactly what stands out in the remake: an incredible chariot race that rivals even the gaudiest blockbusters. The remake also invests much more time on Ben-Hur’s interactions with Jesus (Rodrigo Santoro) and his charioteer instructor, Sheik Ilderim (Morgan Freeman).

The result is a film that, while not necessarily darker than the original, is noticeably more grim, though I wonder if that has more to do with today’s relative lack of censorship and modern moviegoer sensibilities. The original “Ben-Hur,” for example, definitely reads more like an epic biblical soap opera, and while that’s a big part of the film’s charm, it’s not a tone and style that would probably go over in today’s marketplace.

But the legendary original at least has an identity. The remake? Not so much.

The casting is honestly very good, and when it comes to spectacle and action, you won’t find much better than the chariot race. But despite the fine performances, expansion of certain key roles, and updated special and visual effects, the remake just can’t shake the overwhelming shadow of a movie that came out 57 years ago.

In effect, 2016’s “Ben-Hur” is a film with quite a lot to say about the intersection of religion and politics and the family ties that run between them both. If you’ve never seen the original, you’ll probably like the latest incarnation very much.

For everyone else, watch the movie for the chariot race. But for the emotion and gravity, try to find the original.

Michael Lomax is a writer-filmmaker currently at work on a film script to be set and shot in Albany.