[yasr_overall_rating]
The origin story of the mythical Greek hero. Betrayed by his stepfather, the King, and exiled and sold into slavery because of a forbidden love, Hercules must use his formidable powers to fight his way back to his rightful kingdom.
It seems every few years, Hollywood likes to feud with itself. As far back as 1991, there were two Robin Hood movies which came out around the same time, Kevin Costner’s “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” and Patrick Bergin’s aptly titled, “Robin Hood.” Then, in 1993, Kurt Russell’s “Tombstone,” about legendary lawman Wyatt Earp came out and shortly afterward, Kevin Costner’s “Wyatt Earp” was released. Move forward nineteen years, and you have Gerard Butler’s “Olympus Has Fallen” and within months, Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx’s “White House Down.” Hollywood is indeed a strange place and releasing similar-themed movies within months of each other, seems like suicide, and for one of the films, it typically always is. “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” was the clear winner in the summer of ’91, “Tombstone” ran circles around “Wyatt Earp,” and “Olympus Has Fallen” blew “White House Down” out of the water. Less than a year later, they were at it again, with two Hercules-themed movies scheduled for release and while neither did spectacularly at the box office, Dwayne Johnson’s “Hercules” led the pack, albeit slightly, and probably due to his sheer star power.
But “The Legend of Hercules” is still a fine but very underrated film. Renny Harlin, who directed “A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master,” “Die Hard 2: Die Harder,” and “Cliffhanger,” brings the Greek hero to life and does a damn fine job too I might add. Playing the titular character is Kellan Lutz, who goes from hunky vampire Emmet Cullen in the “Twilight” series, to sword-clashing, vengeance-seeking demi-god in the blink of an eye. While many actors who have taken on the mantle of gladiator or swordsman were cast more for their physique than their acting abilities, Mr. Lutz is blessed to have the best of both worlds. While he isn’t given much here, acting-wise, what little he is entrusted with, he accomplishes with great aplomb. And kudos to Scott Adkins, known primarily for lesser well-known martial arts movies such as “Ninja,” “Assassination Games,” and “Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning,” he plays the part of King Amphitryon, a brutal tyrant with a need for blood, with relish.
When Queen Alcmene (Roxanne McKee) becomes fed up with her husband, King Amphitryon’s constant thirst for power, she prays to Hera, the goddess of women and marriage, for guidance. Hera informs her that she will bear another son who will grow up to be her people’s savior and that Zeus, the king of the gods, will impregnate her. Years later when Hercules is a man in his twenties, King Amphitryon knows that he is not his son and has him shipped off to a military campaign in Egypt. Just before he leaves, Amphitryon announces to his kingdom, that his own son, Iphicles (Liam Garrigan), will wed the beautiful Hebe (Gaia Weiss), who is already betrothed to Hercules. Hercules vows to return but once in Egypt, his small company of men is attacked and all but Hercules and his friend Sotiris (Liam McIntyre) survive. Hercules discovers that Amphitryon orchestrated the ambush in the hopes of killing him once and for all. He and Sotiris are sold as slaves where they must fight in gladiator arenas to stay alive. Eventually, they are brought back to Greece and after earning their freedom, both men make their way back to Amphitryon’s kingdom, where they plan to eradicate Amphitryon and his son Iphicles, and allow Hercules to take his rightful place at the throne.
While “The Legend of Hercules” is very generic in overall plot structure, it delivers on action, spectacle, and fight choreography. This story has been told a thousand times before so why not try to improve on the earlier incarnations, and update it to a thousand and one? To enjoy a film of this ilk, one just needs to sit back, switch off their brain, and have fun. After all, that is why we watch movies, right?
Available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack Tuesday, September 19th
