Hercules - 12/08/2014 (with guest review)
From the man who ruined The X-Men Franchise and bored me through two seasons (I didn't make it any further) of Prison Break, Brett Ratner, brings the 15 year too late Hercules film.
Taking a different approach to the Herculean story, The Rock plays our titular hero based on the fabricated stories of his cousin. Killing the 7 Headed Hydra Monster in a forbidden swamp was really hacking the heads off a bunch and bandits wearing masks, the impenetrable skin of the lion of blah-de-blah was a normal ikkle lion with big pointy teeth. Hercules is joined by a band of worthy warriors all with a similar back story who follow our "demi god" into mercenary battles for fortune and glory. When they are offered their weight in gold to tackle an uprising, the group jump at the chance not thinking of the consequences.
Ian Mcshane in an enjoyable character, a man who has seen his own death so knows he will survive each battle until the ill fated one arrives. Hercules' cousin is just simply annoying throughout and the Lady Valkyrie warrior is just Legolas with breasts, but not as attractive!
I found myself drifting off as the film plodded on, even though it is only on for about 90 mins and not even Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson could save this one with his excellent acting skills. Although I must say his beard is pretty epic
Guest Review - The Roshtakular
Brett Ratner's Hercules, epic or epic fail?
The film picks up "Herc" (Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson) struggling wiht the life and admiration of a demi-god following the completion of his labours set by the Gods. Hercules and his merry men are summoned to Thrace by Lord Coytes (John Hurt), to help fight the civil war against evil warlord Rhesus (Tobis Santelmann). The story is straightforward and relatively uncomplicated with Brett Ratner twisting the Legend of Hercules and questioning his godly status versus the brilliant marketing ploy of his follower. Did he kill a giant lion with impregnable skin or was it just an ordinary lion and a good story?
After a grueling 2 hour gym session followed by a high protien diet, I felt prepared to go watch Hercules. After seeing the posters I could not help thinking that The Rock was born to play the role and there is not another human on this planet better suited. Being a big fan of the TV series Game of Thrones and Spartacus, I hoped that the film would be shot in the same manor, with less porn, however the film was taken into a more kid friendly action film and failed, if they wanted to aim for that genre Brett Ratner only needed watch Guardians of the Galaxy, that's how you do a family friendly film. I cannot help thinking that with the underlying story line being of a man achieving god status through myths and stories would have been suited to a darker script with more focus on the darker side of humanity, ultimately fitting nicely with the twist at the end of the film
I feel cheated by the cheap summer action film, recycled costumes from Troy and stolen ending fro He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. I will definitely not buy this film on DVD, however, if Channel 4 air this in 2 years time, I will Sky Plus it and watch it when I feel the need to turn my brain off and veg in front of the TV. It is a good film if you are in the age group 11-13 years or you need motivation to lose a few stones in the gym. For me the best thing about the film is The Rock, but I am biased and he is my hero, but I could not smell what The Rock was coookin'
#FunkieJunkie
Brett Ratner's Hercules, epic or epic fail?
The film picks up "Herc" (Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson) struggling wiht the life and admiration of a demi-god following the completion of his labours set by the Gods. Hercules and his merry men are summoned to Thrace by Lord Coytes (John Hurt), to help fight the civil war against evil warlord Rhesus (Tobis Santelmann). The story is straightforward and relatively uncomplicated with Brett Ratner twisting the Legend of Hercules and questioning his godly status versus the brilliant marketing ploy of his follower. Did he kill a giant lion with impregnable skin or was it just an ordinary lion and a good story?
After a grueling 2 hour gym session followed by a high protien diet, I felt prepared to go watch Hercules. After seeing the posters I could not help thinking that The Rock was born to play the role and there is not another human on this planet better suited. Being a big fan of the TV series Game of Thrones and Spartacus, I hoped that the film would be shot in the same manor, with less porn, however the film was taken into a more kid friendly action film and failed, if they wanted to aim for that genre Brett Ratner only needed watch Guardians of the Galaxy, that's how you do a family friendly film. I cannot help thinking that with the underlying story line being of a man achieving god status through myths and stories would have been suited to a darker script with more focus on the darker side of humanity, ultimately fitting nicely with the twist at the end of the film
I feel cheated by the cheap summer action film, recycled costumes from Troy and stolen ending fro He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. I will definitely not buy this film on DVD, however, if Channel 4 air this in 2 years time, I will Sky Plus it and watch it when I feel the need to turn my brain off and veg in front of the TV. It is a good film if you are in the age group 11-13 years or you need motivation to lose a few stones in the gym. For me the best thing about the film is The Rock, but I am biased and he is my hero, but I could not smell what The Rock was coookin'
#FunkieJunkie
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