Movie Info
Movie Name: Hercules
Studio: Flynn Picture Company
Genre(s): Action/Adventure/Comic Book
Release Date(s): July 25, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG-13
What is real and what is myth?
Hercules (Dwayne Johnson) is the son of Zeus and the hero of Greece battling monsters around every corner…at least that is what he and his mercenary followers would like everyone to believe. When Hercules is summoned by Cotys (John Hurt) to help defend Thrace against invaders, Hercules finds himself betrayed. Now, he must prove that he really has the power he proclaims to have if he hopes to right the wrongs done in his name.
Directed by Brett Ratner, Hercules is a sword-and-sandals fantasy action-adventure movie. The movie is an adaptation of Hercules: The Thracian Wars by Steve Moore with art by Cris Bolsin and published by Radical Comics. The movie was released to rather positive reviews but a so-so box office showing.
Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!!
The problem with Hercules is that the story of Hercules has been told so many times…even if this isn’t really a telling of the story. Earlier in 2014, a movie called The Legend of Hercules was released to poor reviews, and Hercules also probably took some of the brunt of that as well.
What made Hercules a bit different however was that Hercules isn’t a movie filled with supernatural gods and monsters as you’d expect. Hercules is essentially a fraud and all the “labors” he completed were exaggerations and tall tales. It is a nice twist to the classic Hercules story.
The movie also suffers from Dwayne Johnson. While Johnson has a lot of charm and is a fun actor, he does not seem to have much depth (like many action stars at their peak of action performing). The film has a nice supporting cast including Ian McShane as his partner Amphiaraus and go-to “old guy” John Hurt. Joseph Fiennes has a rather small and underplayed role as King Eurystheus (who felt like he shold have been more of the thrust of the film.
Pretty much, I get to play generic old guy from now on
The movie looks quite good and I do like how it plays with the Hercules folklore. It still gets to show the classic Hercules imagery through flashbacks, but also exposes some of the real adventures. I would have loved to have seen the “labors” in full but with the movie’s less than stellar performance, I doubt a sequel or prequel will occur.
Hercules really isn’t that bad of a film. It isn’t a great film, but it is a decent action film. I like that the movie tried to do something with a character who has anchored stories and movies for centuries. I wish that the movie was more successful because I’d like to see Hercules and his crew seek adventure again.
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