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Legend of Hercules feels like a glorified Syfy movie that lacks the cheekiness necessary to make the whole experience a so-bad-it’s-good B-movie viewing.
The Legend of Herculesbegins in Ancient Greece 1200 B.C. , as the ability - hungry warrior Amphitryon ( Scott Adkins ) leads his US Army to triumph and subdue the land . When Amphitryon ’s wife Alcmene ( Roxanne McKee ) pleads to the God to disengage the kingdom from her husband ’s dictatorial rule , her prayer is answered by the goddess Hera - who , through a human vas , inform Alcmene that she will stomach the boy of Zeus : a demigod named Hercules , destine to doctor peace of mind to Greece . Twenty years subsequently , a fully - grow Hercules ( Kellan Lutz ) is blissfully unaware of either his true name or heritage , preferring to drop his daylight either defend or spending time with his forbidden lover Hebe ( Gaia Weiss ) , the Princess of Crete .
However , when Hebe is promise to Hercules ' half - brother Iphicles ( Liam Garrigan ) , Herc and Hebe make a failed attempt to unravel aside together , result in the son of Zeus being exiled and , soon thereafter , betray into slavery . Can the new mythologic hero sandwich rescue the char he loves , while also espouse his destiny as the savior of his time ?
With a work out deed of conveyance ofHercules 3D- which eventually change toHercules : The Legend Beginsand finallyLegend of Hercules- and B - picture show specializer director Renny Harlin ( The Long Kiss Goodnight , Deep Blue Sea ) at the helm , you might ’ve expected this post-300exploration of the ancient mythical Hellenic hero ’s origins to cover its own campiness , if nothing else . unluckily , Harlin and his mold play everything stone - faced , giving rise to a cheap - looking brand and sandal phantasy / risky venture that is mostly a joyless slog to ride through - save for the few moments where the film delivers some toothsome cheesy melodrama and 3D gimmickry . Part of the blame lies with the script credit to Daniel Giat ( Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee ) and Sean Hood ( Conan the Barbarian ( 2011 ) ) , which offers a flimsy narrative and thinly - chalk out characters , at best . There are time when the flick briefly loosen a recondite examination of the fabulous figure ' psychology - like how Iphicles ' profoundly - rooted insecurity and jealousy of his brother warp his mind or how Hercules ' selfishness might fare at a heavy terms to the realm . However , whether it ’s more the faulting of the film writer or editor Vincent Tabaillon ( Now You See Me),Legend of Herculessprints through the rare moments of character development and clunkily moves between plot of land beat with little verse nor reason .
Let me put it this way - when you find yourself care that the mythological characters were as complex as those found inWrath of the Titans(or the write up as lucid as that boast inConan the Barbarian ) , then youknowyou’re in a risky place .
Kellan Lutz ’s physical coming into court as the beefcake Hercules favor the Hollywood excessively - sculpted spirit rather of naturalism , but his carrying into action is neither equally over - the - top nor telling by comparison . Lutz does show promise when enquire to act headstrong or portray Herc with a pronounced swagger , but his ( and Harlin ’s ) estimate of " heavy emoting " generally amounts to Lutz frowning and expect down at the ground . possibly Lutz will examine to be far good at natural language in impudence maleness in this summer’sThe Expendables 3 , but inLegend of Herculeshis attempt to become an natural action star fails to remove the bar .
Scott Adkins has limited screen clip , but his odious Amphitryon is one of the film ’s high spot , even in the scenes where he ’s not swinging a sword about ; that also goes for Liam Garrigan as the slimeball Prince Iphicles , despite his character being as paper - thin as antagonists come . Roxanne McKee and Gaia Weiss are saddled with passing derivative distaff archetypes , but they make the most of what they ’re given . Meanwhile , character worker Rade Serbedzija ( Taken 2 ) is wasted as Queen Alcmene ’s caring servant Chiron , and Liam McIntyre helps elevate the thinly - write Hellenic soldier Sotiris into a memorable sidekick for Hercules - though his persona still feel like a step down , after his hearty leading carrying out on Starz’SpartacusTV series .
speak ofSpartacus - Legend of Hercules , like the said Starz TV show , is largely composed of green projection screen backdrops and CGI - enhanced set pieces sprout on level-headed stages . Somehow , though , the impression in Renny Harlin ’s Hercules movie often look more amateurish and less milled than onSpartacus , even though the former project had a much large $ 70 million budget at its disposal .
Likewise , the violence inLegend of Herculesis almost wholly bloodless ( both figurativelyandliterally ) , which hurts the film ’s tone . Because the moving-picture show was design with 3D in brain , Harlin and camera operator Sam McCurdy ( Centurion ) stage the fight / battle sequence with sporty visual theme and go for the prosperous drink down - out burden whenever potential ( see : pointer flying at the audience , Hercules swing his lightning sword / whip around ) . However , save up for a fistful of sequences , the 3D scene does n’t sum up much to the action and the necessary ticket monetary value upgrade will only be deserving it for those who always choose the format ( when available ) .
As a whole , Legend of Herculesfeels like a glorify Syfy moving-picture show that lacks the cheekiness necessary to make the whole experience a so - bad - it’s - good B - movie screening . Suffice it to say , Brett Ratner’sHercules(starring Dwayne Johnson ) wo n’t have a challenging vault to clear , when it attempts to take the " Hercules film of the year " claim this summer .
The Legend of Herculesruns 99 minutes long and is Rated PG-13 for sequences of acute combat action and violence , and for some sensualness . Now playing in 2D and 3D theaters .
Cast
star Kellan Lutz in the statute title role , The Legend of Hercules is a 2014 action movie that fictionalize the myth of Zeus ' most famous demigod son . After being betrayed by his stepfather , Hercules is sold into slavery and forced to fight in gladiatorial game . With the help of a fellow striver , Sotiris ( Liam McIntyre ) , Hercules escapes and returns to his homeland to overthrow his stepfather and reclaim his rightful place as king .
Kellan Lutz and Gaia Weiss in ‘The Legend of Hercules’
Kellan Lutz and Liam McIntyre in ‘The Legend of Hercules’
Starring Kellan Lutz in the title role, The Legend of Hercules is a 2014 action movie that retells the myth of Zeus' most famous demigod son. After being betrayed by his stepfather, Hercules is sold into slavery and forced to fight in gladiatorial games. With the help of a fellow slave, Sotiris (Liam McIntyre), Hercules escapes and returns to his homeland to overthrow his stepfather and reclaim his rightful place as king.
