Ben Hur

Rating:
Summary: SINCERE BUT SECOND RATE
Review: The latest film version of BEN HUR is an animated retelling that emphasizes the novel's original subtitle: A Tale of the Christ.

Charlton Heston reprises his Oscar© winning 1959 film role as the voice of Ben (and also narrator).

Sadly, the animation is second rate and nowhere near the quality of "Prince of Egypt." The voice work is not particularly imaginative with the exception of Heston who is more emotional and worldly wise than the blandly drawn young hero. Still, there's an admirable bravery to the provocative enterprise; after all, it's about a Jew on the road to revenge who stumbles across a forgiving Christ. How radical is that?

Limited extras include brief statements from a somewhat haunted looking Heston who, oddly, speaks almost without emotion or expression.

Rating:
Summary: SINCERE BUT SECOND RATE
Review: The latest film version of BEN HUR is an animated retelling that emphasizes the novel's original subtitle: A Tale of the Christ.

Charlton Heston reprises his Oscar© winning 1959 film role as the voice of Ben (and also narrator).

Sadly, the animation is second rate and nowhere near the quality of "Prince of Egypt." The voice work is not particularly imaginative with the exception of Heston who is more emotional and worldly wise than the blandly drawn young hero. Still, there's an admirable bravery to the provocative enterprise; after all, it's about a Jew on the road to revenge who stumbles across a forgiving Christ. How radical is that?

Limited extras include brief statements from a somewhat haunted looking Heston who, oddly, speaks almost without emotion or expression.

Rating:
Summary: Homage to a classic
Review: This new animated adaptation of Ben Hur, has but one thing to recommend, namely the voice of Charlton Heston. It is delightful to hear his distinguished voice as he reprises his oscar winning role.

The animation is rather on the crude side by disney standards but as long as you don't watch this expecting too much you won't be dissapointed. Having a running length of 75 mins however liberties have to be taken with the plot as it progresses quickly from scene to scene, although it is supposed to be the most faithful version of Lew Wallace's tale to date.

Highlights include the sea battle and ofcourse the chariot race sequence which are enhanced through cgi but yet again they are only short segments.

Of the other voice actors none are distinguished as already commented upon by the above reviewer, but that doesn't matter much as Heston carries the movie and makes it more accesible for a young audience. It is particularly nice to see the role of Christ expanded upon from what we see of him in previous versions.

DVD features though few are nice as we see heston talking behind the scenes although he looks extremely unwell and frail.

Over all this new animated tale is a small treat for fans of Heston and the story of Ben Hur.