Amateurish remake of the even-then-schlocky 1959 sword-and-sandals flick, this by Timur Bekmambetov, whom I believe remains under indictment for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Stupendously streamlined, colossally underwhelming, and utterly unnecessary. A main reason for this epic fail is the casting of borderline wuss Jack Huston in the title role. I’ll stop short of actually praising Charlton Heston, but this guy’s no Charlton Heston. The chariot race is rousing enough, but small reward for plodding through over two hours of cheesy, eyeball-glazing tedium with a Christian message. (125 min)
Don Morton
Don Morton has viewed some 6,000 movies, frequently awake. A bachelor and avid cyclist, he currently divides his time between Tokyo and a high-tech 4WD super-camper somewhere in North America.You may also like
10 Japanese Horror Movies to Watch
Eerie films to haunt your nights this spooky season
Things to Do in Tokyo in September
The rundown of the best events in Tokyo this September
Book Review: The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen by Yuta Takahashi
Your table awaits at the Chibineko Kitchen...
Gorpcore: History of “Outdoor Fashion” and the Japanese Brands To Know
Why outdoor clothing is popular in Japan
Featured Artists for September 2024 – LOVEHO SELECTS
Check out September's featured Tokyo creatives!
JUNGLIA: Okinawa’s Ambitious New Theme Park
Live out your Jurassic Park dreams
Things To Do in Tokyo at Christmas and New Year 2025-2026
Live the holidays to the fullest with Metropolis' recommendations