Mini Film Review: Hercules (2014)
Well, so I wasn't aware Macedonia in 300 B.C. was a land positively teeming with pale, blond-haired, blue-eyed barbarians, but there you go. I, being an olive-complected, brown-haired, big-nosed Greek of many generations back, found it somewhat disconcerting. John Hurt may have tremendous gravitas, but even he couldn't quite pull off the role of a Barbarian Warlord of Thrace.
But The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) made a terrific Hercules, I must say. He was broody and looked convincingly Greek - it must've been the sandals - and though I really could have done without the fridging of his wife and children, what was the point of that? I really enjoyed the Hero/Myth twist they put on the tale. Truly, if people go to this film expecting a Clash of the Titans deal, they will be sadly disappointed. This film had a more to say about the way we look at legends and how we create them.
But seriously, don't fridge the wife next time. It's JUST NOT NECESSARY. Castigate him, exile him, hell, kill his dog. Just leave the poor wife and kids out of it next time, writers. Have you no imaginations?
Anyway, fun film. I just adored Dwayne Johnson, and Hercules' relationship with Amphiaraus, the seer, (Ian McShane, who chews the scenery so brilliantly in this, I can't even) was just awesome. I liked the Amazon, Atlanta (!) too, although a longbow is a ridiculously cumbersome weapon in close-quarters fighting. (Don't tell Hawkeye I said so.)
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But The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) made a terrific Hercules, I must say. He was broody and looked convincingly Greek - it must've been the sandals - and though I really could have done without the fridging of his wife and children, what was the point of that? I really enjoyed the Hero/Myth twist they put on the tale. Truly, if people go to this film expecting a Clash of the Titans deal, they will be sadly disappointed. This film had a more to say about the way we look at legends and how we create them.
But seriously, don't fridge the wife next time. It's JUST NOT NECESSARY. Castigate him, exile him, hell, kill his dog. Just leave the poor wife and kids out of it next time, writers. Have you no imaginations?
Anyway, fun film. I just adored Dwayne Johnson, and Hercules' relationship with Amphiaraus, the seer, (Ian McShane, who chews the scenery so brilliantly in this, I can't even) was just awesome. I liked the Amazon, Atlanta (!) too, although a longbow is a ridiculously cumbersome weapon in close-quarters fighting. (Don't tell Hawkeye I said so.)
[ X-posted to Dreamwidth with
comments | How to use OpenID ]