Ben-Hur (12A) ABC, Cineworld Poole ** 

KAZAKH-Russian director Timur Bekmambetov’s muscular remake of the historical epic, based on the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ, has big sandals to fill.

A 1925 silent version starring Ramon Novarro was one of the most expensive films of the era and garnered effusive critical praise.

William Wyler’s 1959 reimagining, shot in lustrous CinemaScope with Charlton Heston as the eponymous slave, commanded another gargantuan budget.

Critics fumbled for superlatives and the film received a record 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Director - an achievement equalled when James Cameron captained Titanic and Peter Jackson navigated the Lord Of The Rings trilogy.

Bekmambetov’s rendition won’t be nominated for an Oscar, let alone win a coveted golden statuette - not even for the slick digital effects in the climatic chariot race.

This Ben-Hur isn’t a sermon of rollicking entertainment to the masses.

Scriptwriters Keith Clarke and John Ridley hark back to the source novel and emphasize the religious elements, expanding the presence of Jesus (Rodrigo Santoro) in the title character’s odyssey of forgiveness.

Sadly Bekmambetov’s film won’t be forgiven.

Hell and High-Water (15) Odeon, Cineworld Poole **** 

HARSH times call for desperate measures in David Mackenzie's riveting crime thriller set in contemporary West Texas, where avaricious, corporate-driven America has ravaged close-knit communities.

Hell Or High Water cranks up tension with deceptive ease courtesy of a lean script by Taylor Sheridan, who had us biting our nails down to the cuticles last year with the Oscar-nominated action thriller Sicario.

Sheridan should expect similar plaudits for his exemplary work here, underpinning a familiar morality tale of world-weary cops and robbers with a touching portrait of brotherly love in dire straits.

Hell Or High Water is a triumph.

Kubo and The Two-Strings (PG) Odeon, Cineworld Poole ***

MAGIC and mystery combine to dazzling effect in the latest stop-motion animated fantasy from Laika Entertainment, creators of Coraline, ParaNorman and The Boxtrolls.

Like those pictures, Kubo And The Two Strings is visually sumptuous and meticulously crafted, evoking the traditions of ancient Japan through detailed hand-crafted figurines and sets, which are occasionally enhanced with digital effects.

Kubo And The Two Strings is destined to become an enduring family favourite.