Hercules (2014)

the audience applauded

From my favorite movies..

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

I may have liked this movie years ago had I not seen Gladiator. And Troy. And Thor. And 300. I really like Dwayne Johnson and a few of his movies--Walking Tall, Snitch, The Rundown--but the excellent supporting cast (e.g, Rufus Sewell, John Hurt, Joseph Fiennes) did not make up for his acting in Hercules. He may not get nominated for Oscar, but he's capable of better acting. Movies in this sub-genre have become cliché, and this narrative of the mythological character was rather predictable.

Having endured his legendary twelve labors, Hercules, the Greek demigod, has his life as a sword-for-hire tested when the King of Thrace and his daughter seek his aid in defeating a tyrannical warlord. Hercules stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, John Hurt, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Rebecca Ferguson and Aksel Hennie. This is by no means the best Greek movie ever made i think 300 or Troy were way better but it's way better than The Legend of Hercules which was an over the top bad comedy and that cheesy 90's show with Kevin Sorbo who is a pretty awful actor but this film has so many awesome moments for example Hercules breaks free after screaming i am Hercules and crashes a dude with a rock or even lifting a horse my only problem was the PG- 13 but still great action, good acting and the cgi was nice as well and the relationship between Hercules and Iolaus was actually handled very well unlike the show.

In the first ten minutes, this movie was a lot better than The Legend of Hercules.The mythology side of Hercules is pretty much all seen and explained within the first 5 or so minutes and for the rest of the film, Hercules is pretty much just a strong dude fighting along with his friends for money.There's nothing new in terms of story but it is action packed, pretty much from the get go, and unlike Legend of Hercules, doesn't focus on the drama side of things or revolves around a crappy romance.It has a pretty good cast including of course Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell and John Hurt and some awesome fight scenes.It was entertaining, just an awesome, mindless action film and would be something I would watch again.

This is the Rock in a hero flic. Lots of bad guys, lots of different ways to bleed em out. Were you looking for serious drama? Did you expect some kind of lasting metaphysical enlightenment? See this work as pure entertainment, as it should be and is. There is that element of involving us us in who we want to see get sliced and diced. There are those great effects that make gore so gooey and delicious. The film has quality limited to it's content. Beyond that, there is nothing, but that doesn't make for a bad couple of hours if you like action period films. If there is anything to criticize specific to content, it is perhaps in the final shots we might see a poorly scripted, overplayed, and hastily wrapped film. "Get the dirty bastard!"?? Yikes. Sad last line for a legendary actor in a two dimensional action film. So, except for pissing on itself at the finale, a fun little trip to take. As always, it is with sincerity to say that it is so easy to review and critique what so many worked to achieve. Especially now with spell checkers, Google, and instant what else. Wow.