What on earth were they thinking? I was eager to see this film because the 1959 version holds a special place for me; it’s more than just entertainment—it’s a significant historical record and cultural artifact that deserves to be remembered. After watching, I honestly thought it might have been some kind of joke or spoof. The original from 1959 will remain the definitive take on the story, and if someone wants something newer, I'd suggest the 2010 TV miniseries instead. This film, directed by Timur Bekmambetov, is simply awful. I won’t bother discussing the script since most people already know the plot. However, it definitely failed to do justice to the source material or its respected predecessors in cinema, mostly because of how carelessly it mangled the original story. If the goal was a fresh, more action-packed version, they completely missed the mark; it delivered absolutely nothing substantial. Despite the poor quality of the script, Jack Huston deserves some credit for his commitment to and portrayal of the lead role. He’s not an exceptional actor, but he's the best thing about this movie. Tobby Kebbell couldn’t rise above the material either, as his character descended into a caricature of a soap opera villain. Several characters don't warrant inclusion, starting with Ester and her father Simonides, who are abruptly removed from the narrative—a serious mistake. Morgan Freeman is a major name attached to this project, but even he seems utterly miserable, detached, and unenthusiastic. Rodrigo Santoro’s portrayal of Jesus comes across as overly theatrical. Technically, there are a few positive aspects, primarily the sets, which occasionally attempt to evoke the 1959 film—I noticed it most clearly with the Hur house and the circus where the race takes place, even down to the same fish! The difference lies in the approach: the earlier film went all out to create massive sets and hire thousands of extras for a truly grand and impressive effect. This film tried to achieve something similar using CGI and green screens. While it worked sometimes, other times it made the movie look like a video game. Even the chariot race, intended as a highlight, is so chaotic that you can’t properly appreciate what's happening; it feels like a scene from “Fast and Furious.” The cinematography suffers too, due to the lack of light and seemingly random direction. The editing is uneven and amateurish. The costumes are unattractive and historically inaccurate, especially Freeman’s dreadlocks. The music is completely forgettable.

Source on TMDB