The Legend of Hercules - Hated It

I'd have to go back and look at the Top 100 list we posted last year, but was this movie really one that I chose to watch this year? Or perhaps I meant the one that stars Dwayne Johnson? I don't know. Either way, this movie wasn't very good. Now, I don't know much about Greek Mythology or the Legend of Hercules, what I do know comes from Disney's Hercules. From Disney's version (which I always assume has absolutely no merit when it comes to being actual truth about stuff, but I know you're intrigued so I'll just keep going) Zeus sends his son Hercules to Earth to hide him from Hades. He grows up to be a great warrior who is half God, half human. Now, the one we are reviewing today, starring Kellan Lutz (from Twilight) is probably more along that lines of the true legend, but I'd have to research it more. 

So basically, King Amphitryon (Scott Adkins) is one of those Kings who must own all the land. Continuously conquering other villages and kingdoms in hopes to rule the world one day. At one point, his wife, Queen Alcmene (Roxanne McKee), gets fed up with the way things are going and pleas to Hera (Wife of Zeus if y'all don't know Greek Mythology) who answers her prayer. She gives Queen Alcmene the gift of a baby, the baby of Zeus. Well... let's just say it's not a "Virgin Mary" story and the King walks in on... yeah. It was awkward watching and there was no one even there. So strange. Being an illegitimate child, the King does not treat him as an equal and when he is grown sends him off to war in hopes that he is murdered. I will say, that as the story progresses, it was very similar to the Bible with how Jesus was born and treated through his short life.

Overall, I liked the story, but everything else about this film just wasn't good. The first "fight" scene we see is between Hercules and a lion... oh my goodness... if that was CGI, that was the worst CGI I've ever seen. The lion in Jumanji was better than this, and that's almost a 20 year difference in technology. And another thing, all the fight scenes. I'm not sure if this movie was intended to be 3D or something, but that is what it seemed like. It completely reminded me of Hero, a movie we watched last year, because all the fight scenes were so completely implausible (well, I guess more plausible since he is supposed to be a God and all) and in slow motion. I mean, some parts are okay to put in slow motion, but it was literally the entire fight scene, and every fight scene with Hercules as the main combatant. Lastly, I want to point out the effects. You know how some movies there are characters driving in a car and you can tell there aren't really driving a car? Not so much in the newer movies, but in the older ones you can tell right? Well there was a horse chasing scene, and it's bad. There are even some parts where they are walking "through the woods" and you can tell.

Okay, so I feel like David in this movie review, talking about the effects and everything rather than the story. What is going on? I will say, the romance of this movie and the fact that I was learning about the Legend of Hercules (at least I'm hoping so) were really the only things that kept me paying attention. I wouldn't say the acting was bad, just how the movie was put together. Obviously, I thought the end was great, when Hercules finally was able to accept himself and believe that he was really the son of Zeus - the lightning bold sword was cool, but still not very good effects! Ah, I'm so sad about this film. I am going to have to give it a "Hated It" rating. I wouldn't watch it again or recommend it for all you lovely readers. Maybe David and I will try out the Dwayne Johnson version?
​