It’s absurd! It’s imbecilic! It’s jolly good fun! Scott Gentry reviews Brett Ratner’s “Hercules”.

"Hercules" (12A)
Directed by: Brett Ratner.
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Irina Shayk, Ian Whyte, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Ian McShane, John Hurt, Joseph Fiennes, Rebecca Ferguson, Rufus Sewell.
Rated: 12A for containing moderate violence, bloody images, moderate sex references and strong language.
Running time: 98 minutes.
Out in now in UK cinemas. 

I’m not going to lie, I think that myself and the rest of the world held low expectations for Brett Ratner’s belated (this is the second of two “Hercules” films released in 2014, the other being Summit Entertainment's less entertaining, “The Legend of Hercules”) adventure film, but in some ways, I was pleasantly surprised. 

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars as the robust, yet amicable warrior, who after completing his twelve labours (tasked by the god named Hera) including the slaying of the Nemean lion, capturing the Cretan bull and others, begins his life as a mercenary, ridding towns and kingdoms of whatever stands in their path. Upon receiving word from King Cotys of Thrace (John Hurt) and his daughter, the demi-god and his band of merry men (including Ian McShane and Rufus Sewell) and one strapping young woman (Ingrid Bolsø Berdal), decide to aid the King and his family, as they attempt to rid the land of an army, unlike anything they’ve seen before...

Now midway through blockbuster season, audiences and critics are constantly being bombarded with many films that have the unfortunate ability to bore one’s mind exceedingly quickly, or thankfully, have the complete opposite effect. In the case of “Hercules” however, it seems as though this indulgent film may just stand in the middle of the two. It seems as though Ratner’s team of writers have a clear vision for this adaptation of the famed graphic novel, “Hercules: The Thracian Wars” by Steve Moore, yet perhaps due to the pressure from certain studios to deliver “Hercules” as a ‘12A’ rated epic, the grittiness of Moore’s novel became lost during production (the BBFC advised that the filmmakers to cut three scenes due to bloody detail in three scenes, in order to obtain the ‘12A’ rating). 

In spite of that, “Hercules” is a film which attempts to push the ‘12A’ rating to its very limits, with various blood-spurts upon the slashing of enemies, decapitations and the odd strong declaration, particularly in the form of “f****ng Centaurs”. But it just isn’t strong enough. In the vein of cheesy 80’s action epics, Ratner’s film tries very hard to be accepted into that category, and succeeds to some degree, yet it lacks the novel’s main appeal. 

Despite Johnson being a former “WWE” fighter, he shows that his charming charisma works wonders, as he protrudes around the battlefield proclaiming impudent one-liners which are at times rather hilarious and at others, a little near the mark. In spite of the film’s comedic element, Johnson emerges as perhaps a stronger actor and tackles the dramatic sequences perfectly well, producing a tongue-in-cheek performance which is surprisingly good. McShane and Hurt may be the eldest on the screen, but even during the action sequences, the two seem to be having the most fun, as McShane’s character named Amphiaraus, constantly tries to predict his death which leads to hilarious situations. Hurt may not be delivering his most refined performance, but he certainly is devilishly cool as King Cotys and is most definitely welcome among the younger cast. Sewell and the rest of Hercules’s group are all fairly talented, but Sewell himself delivers an unusual comic performance which is particularly entertaining.
  
The film's 3D effects are often put to good use, with arrows flying out of the screen and various blood spurts also making their appearance. Yet, it feels as though more 3D effects may have been required, as the companies behind the film don’t seem to be spending enough time and effort on the 3D version of their film. If they expect to tempt an audience into the cinemas solely for 3D effect in some cases, they may need to begin by upping their game. 

Verdict

“Hercules” is a mischievous epic which provides perfectly decent laughs and thrills to impress its audience. It may be complete poppycock, but who cares! It’s a darn sight better than “X Men: The Last Stand”.  

6.5 Stars out of 10

Written by Scott Gentry.

Film Rating Key
1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.
3-4 stars out of ten = Average.
5-6 stars out of ten = Good.
7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.
9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.