BEN-HUR 3D

BEN-HUR 3D:   Fans of the 1959 Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd classic would be best advised to watch it again.  This re-imaging of the tale pales in comparison.   Yet, it does have it's good points. Although somewhat plodding for the first half hour, Jack Huston in the title role and Toby Kebbell as Messala try valiantly to add some heft to these proceedings but are pretty much overshadowed by the ghosts of Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd.   Wrongly accused of treason, Judah Ben-Hur sets out to seek vengeance on the man (Messala) who ruined his life. Morgan Freeman acting as narrator part of the time, plays a horse trainer who befriends Judah along the way and ultimately helps him in the climactic chariot race.  And  the chariot race is the spectacular scene that the movie does brilliantly.    The 3D camera emphasizes the amount of CGI used to attain some thrills.  It is breathtaking.   We do get our dose of  faith with the appearance of Jesus, here and there, culminating in the crucifixion and the awaking of forgiveness in Judah.... The "happy ending" was a little off-putting to me, but I forgive the film makers.   A worthy try but it's hard to out-do the winner of eleven Academy Awards.