re: Ben Hur Expected to be a MASSIVE Flop

I actually saw it and I actually liked it. Morgan Freeman's hair is a mess and he plays his usual self, but it doesn't detract from the movie. The slave ship scene is particularly intense and well done.

I'm too young to have a sentimental feeling towards the original, and I'm not snob enough to shite on a movie unless I see it. Despite the creation of a remake, you can still always go back and watch the original. Sometimes it seems people don't realize that.

I do understand the idea that instead of spending money on a remake, studios could use that money to make an original film. I get that. But on the other hand, there's nothing wrong with a remake of a 60yr old film if it's well done. Esp since the 1959 version is a remake itself, and was based on a book. So the 1959 was a 35 yr update on a silent movie, but suddenly a 60 yr update is sacrilege. If you're not interested in a remake Bc you think it's unnecessary, then fine. But there's no need call it a pile of shite unless it actually is. This is the type of movie that probably would be received ok if critics weren't thinking "how dare they ruin my childhood" before even seeing it.

I think it made $11.4 million on the opening weekend. Ouch

quote:

---

Does it stick to the original story?

I almost brought my family to see it this wknd but feared that it would disappoint me

---

Honestly, it's been so long since I've seen the 1959 that I couldn't even tell you how it compares, story wise. It's been about 25 yrs since I've seen it.

Even if it was a solid movie, they've made too many movies in this time period recently, AND it's a reboot.

Gods of egypt
Exodus: Gods and Kings

Both were super hyped and not very good.

It's becoming obvious that Hollywood really is out of ideas.

This movie looks so fricking bad.

They could've done a decent remake of this, but decided to squirt post-taco bell diarrhea all over a screen and hope people pay to go smell it.

That's really the point I'd make. If the prior version is already an all-time great movie, why re-make it? Do you really think you can top it? If not, and if you are honest with yourself, you will probably fail to top it, just leave it alone. It's pure vanity to think you could outdo the Heston Ben-Hur, and if you can't out-do it, what is the freaking point?

If you want to re-make something, re-make a bad or mediocre movie because you think you can do it BETTER. Re-make something that a lot of people think could be done better, like Dune. Something like that, which is hard to do, that others have tried and failed to do. That's a worthy, legitimate project. Not re-making Ben-Hur or Schindler's List. "Hey guys, I'm doing a re-make of The Shawshank Redemption!" Just... no.

quote:

---

Ben Hur Expected to be a MASSIVE Flop

---

Uhhh, ya think?!

I'm hoping the Blade Runner remake does even worse.