This week, I wanted to give a shout out to an under appreciated film that's the best Sword & Sandal romp in recent years, "Hercules":
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While it did reasonably well at the box office and it does have flaws, Hercules, in my humble opinion, still hasn't gotten quite the love I think it deserves.
I'm not trying to suggest that Hercules belongs in the same category as a Gladiator (2000) or a Conan the Barbarian (1982), but as a popcorn action flick, it is more than serviceable. Based on the graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian Wars, our story finds Hercules (played by the Rock) after he has completed his twelve legendary labors: Banished from Athens, he sells his sword (well, club actually, which is pretty neat since that's an underrepresented heroic weapon) for coin. Lord Cotys of Thrace offers Hercules his weight in gold and hijinks ensue.
As you might expect, director Brett Ratner is workmanlike, and the work behind the camera is competent but not particularly noteworthy. Set and costume design are better, and I particularly like that the film's use of CGI is more limited and subtle than it might otherwise be. The action is solid and worth the price of admission, as is the writing, which never has any eye rolling or groan worthy moments.
Even better is the cast: Of note is Ian McShane chewing scenery with relish, but I particularly liked Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock), who apparently spent 6 months training for the movie and is absolutely jacked (selling the physicality of the titular role). Additionally, Messr Johnson's acting has come light years from The Scorpion King, to the point where Hercules' pathos is reasonably believable.
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I know that some people were disappointed by the "twist" that Hercules is a mere mortal (though, some of his onscreen feats belie that point) and his "legendary labors" were actually military missions undertaken by he and his team and then embellished by his PR guy. However, that didn't bother me: conversely, I thought it was an interesting and refreshing take on the character.
Plus, the movie, at its core, is a classic D&D adventure: a group of adventurers meet in a tavern, face trials and tribulations, and eventually defeat the evil king.
So, if you're looking for a ripping Sword & Sandal yarn, you could do worse than this movie. In fact, you need go no further than the other Hercules film released that summer.
While it did reasonably well at the box office and it does have flaws, Hercules, in my humble opinion, still hasn't gotten quite the love I think it deserves.
As you might expect, director Brett Ratner is workmanlike, and the work behind the camera is competent but not particularly noteworthy. Set and costume design are better, and I particularly like that the film's use of CGI is more limited and subtle than it might otherwise be. The action is solid and worth the price of admission, as is the writing, which never has any eye rolling or groan worthy moments.
Even better is the cast: Of note is Ian McShane chewing scenery with relish, but I particularly liked Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock), who apparently spent 6 months training for the movie and is absolutely jacked (selling the physicality of the titular role). Additionally, Messr Johnson's acting has come light years from The Scorpion King, to the point where Hercules' pathos is reasonably believable.
[SPOILER SPACE]
[SPOILER SPACE]
[SPOILER SPACE]
[SPOILER SPACE]
[SPOILER SPACE]
I know that some people were disappointed by the "twist" that Hercules is a mere mortal (though, some of his onscreen feats belie that point) and his "legendary labors" were actually military missions undertaken by he and his team and then embellished by his PR guy. However, that didn't bother me: conversely, I thought it was an interesting and refreshing take on the character.
Plus, the movie, at its core, is a classic D&D adventure: a group of adventurers meet in a tavern, face trials and tribulations, and eventually defeat the evil king.
So, if you're looking for a ripping Sword & Sandal yarn, you could do worse than this movie. In fact, you need go no further than the other Hercules film released that summer.
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