Legend of Hercules

Legend of Hercules

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 1/10/14

Reviewed 1/13/14 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

You can see the highest I rated this is in the Time category, because it is only 99 minutes. Kind of TVish quality, we both thought it adequate enough and not a complete waste of time. The story seems to mimic the story of Samson with a little Gladiator thrown in (lacking in originality), not that we were expecting a showy plot or anything. Kellan Lutz as Hercules is fine to look at, but he was much more suited in the Twilight movies probably because it was supporting and not a lead role.

Hercules is a demi-god (half god/half man), father is Zeus and mother is the queen of Greece, which lends for her husband, the warmonger King Amphitryon (Scott Adkins), to really not care for baby Herc. So no surprise when he grows up, Herc is despised by both his half-brother Iphicles (Liam Garrigan) and King Amphitryon.

It is no secret that Hercules and the beautiful Hebe (Gaia Weiss) are in love spending lots of time frolicking around together. The time has come though, and the vile king and his weak and despicable son Iphicles have had enough of Hercules and plot against him. While their intentions are for him to end up dead, Hercules ends up being sold into slavery with another soldier Sotiris (Liam McIntyre). Meanwhile Hebe is hopeless thinking her love Hercules is dead, and is despondent that she will soon be forced to marry brother Iphicles. Nothing will get in Hercules's way, captive or not, to return to his love Hebe before the loathsome wedding takes place.

The enslaved pair fight others Gladiator style and trick their owner into going back to their homeland Greece. Easily fighting their way to freedom there, Hercules and Sotiris begin stirring things up by terrorizing the evil king and his soldiers. The people of the land are rallying behind Hercules because of the severe oppression they are enduring. The king and his evil counterpart son get wind that Hercules is behind the rebellion. So back and forth, back and forth, on who has the upper hand. They duke it out until the final showdown, but not without sacrifice and sorrow for all, even if you are a demi-god. The fight scenes are fairly exciting and have some of the characteristics of 300 with some of the edgy cinematography. Even though we saw this in 3D, it is still better suited for at-home viewing. Legend of Hercules reminds me of one of those you catch while flipping through channels on a Sunday afternoon. Even though you've picked it up halfway through, you haven't really missed anything.

QUIET Rating system: 2 Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  JJJ