Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

In other words,this film is a surreal ride.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Mr. Johnson is always great. There were so many other stars in the cast that I can't believe it was under my radar until it hit TV. One of my issues with the movie is the depiction of the Thracians: They were portrayed as half-naked painted barbarians with battle cries that sounded like zombies. Also, they seemed to be wielding Egyptian khopeshes instead of their traditional rhomphaias. Finally, where were the Thracians' horses, for which they were known?

Of the two Hercules films released in 2014, this one is the far superior of the two. The other being the awful 'The Legend of Hercules', with Liam McIntyre as its sole saving grace. 'Hercules' was very flawed and was very misleadingly advertised, but it was decent.Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is a charismatic and likable Hercules, and much closer to what Hercules should be like than the disaster that was Kellan Lutz in 'The Legend of Hercules'. He is not a "great" actor, but there is something appealing about him here, he does look more comfortable than some of his other performances (he has come on a lot since 'Doom' for example) and he has fun with his one-liners.Rufus Sewell in a different role is amusing, and even funnier is a scene-stealing Ian McShane, although his material is basically a big running joke it's a very funny line and remarkably doesn't wear thin or become repetitive. John Hurt very rarely gives a bad performance, many performances of his are magnificent in fact, and while he has been better he is good here. Ingrid Bolso Berdal is a striking and strong presence as Atalanta.Mostly, 'Hercules' looks good, looking more of a cinematic release than the straight-to-DVD-schlocky look of 'The Legend of Hercules'. It's beautifully shot and while one is reminded of '300' the editing is not as stylised or as indulgent. Costumes and sets are much more tasteful and easy on the eye. There is an appealing over-the-top-ness with the odd embracing of the cheese factor without being too ridiculous, and the darker moments do have tension and emotional weight. Love the chemistry between Johnson, Sewell and McShane, and it is definitely the film's strongest asset. What there is of the action is exciting enough, and the music is fitting and pleasant even if not mind-blowing.Brett Ratner's direction is a bit routine however, and the story, while with good moments and at least it is clear what it's trying to be, is generic and over-familiar. The script is not as bad as that of 'The Legend of Hercules', but does feel underwritten and clunky, while of the characters the only really interestingly developed ones are Hercules and Amphiarius. The rest are stock, especially the villains, who are poorly played.Joseph Fiennes in particular is catastrophically bad to the point of unintentional comedy. The special effects are a little weak as well, rather artificial.All in all, nowhere near as bad as expected. Not in terms of advertising, it was actually pretty intriguing but those wanting a proper adaptation of the legend will find themselves short-changed (the only resemblance really is in name only), but more in correlation to how much 'The Legend of Hercules' stunk and there was the worry that 'Hercules' would be as bad or worse. Luckily, while still heavily flawed, it is much better. 6/10 Bethany Cox

There were three films made about the famous Greek mythological hero with great strength in 2014, I'd heard about this version, only a little about the terrible Kellan Lutz version, and nothing about the John Morrison version, this was the second of the three to be released, directed by Brett Ratner (The Rush Hour Trilogy, Red Dragon, After the Sunset, X-Men: The Last Stand). Basically in Ancient Greece 1400 B.C., Hercules (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) is the powerful son of Zeus, king of the gods, and leader of a band of mercenaries, but he has suffered his entire life. Hercules has carried out twelve arduous labours, including killing the Hydra and the legendary indestructible lion, he has also lost his family, causing him to turn his back on the gods, finding his only solace in bloody battle. Over the years Hercules has been warned of six similar souls, they are only bonded by their love of fighting and presence of death, they never question who or where they fight, just what they will be paid, these mercenaries have been hired by Cotys, King of Thace (John Hurt) to build a great army. These lost souls however will have their eyes opened to how far they have fallen, and Hercules will prove his worth as he battles his enemies, and of course overthrow the vicious rule of Cotys, in the end Hercules is victorious and his companions bow to him. Also starring Ian McShane as Amphiaraus, A Knight's Tale's Rufus Sewell as Autolycus, Aksel Hennie as Tydeus, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal as Atalanta, Reece Ritchie as Iolaus, Joseph Fiennes as King Eurystheus, Tobias Santelmann as Rhesus, Peter Mullan as Sitacles, Rebecca Ferguson as Ergenia, Isaac Andrews as Arius, Joe Anderson as Phineas, Stephen Peacocke as Stephanos, Irina Shayk as Megara and Nicholas Moss as Demetrius. Johnson is certainly suited to the leading role because of his muscly body and has enough stern, he looks good wearing the lion's head and loincloth skirt, Hurt is surprisingly sinister, and the other well known supporting cast members are fine as well, the story is just about simple enough, the special effects for the Greek monsters and big sequences are good, and the fight and battle scenes keep you watching, overall it's a fair and reasonable action fantasy adventure film. Worth watching!

Other than the presence of Dwayne Johnson the acting and special effects in this movie wouldn't be out of place in a Doctor Who episode set in ancient Greece. It seems more like the low budget WWE films The Rock was in before the Fast franchise made him a star. Every decent special effect sequence teased in the trailer is essentially no more than was shown in the trailer and the movie doesn't seem sure of what it wants to do with Hercules's Origin, it plays at him being a con-man selling the idea he is Zeus's son as a lie, then has him perform feats of strength that wouldn't be out of place in a Thor movie. Every actor looks bored , I didn't think it would be good, but I thought it might be a fun silly action movie. It's just not what the trailer sold it as.