Jack Benny did a few really good films--such as THE MEANEST MAN IN THE WORLD and TO BE OR NOT TO BE. Despite that he often made fun of his film career, he was pretty good when he played something other than "Jack Benny". And, in this version of TO BE OR NOT TO BE, Mel Brooks, instead, plays the lead. And, he does a competent job. The problem is, Jack Benny did such a good job in the original, why remake the film in the first place? I would have been a lot happier if they had just re-released the original to the theaters once again. Although, I must admit that Brooks is unusually restrained and does show respect for the material.
So my advice: watch this film and then see the VERY SIMILAR original.
So my advice: watch this film and then see the VERY SIMILAR original.