Hercules

You could add an extra dimension to a demi-god and turn him into a full god. But the power of a God would not find much in common with human film-goers living a mundane existence, who secretly identify with the on-screen exploits of super-MEN. Why not work it the other way around? Why not subtract a dimension? Why not doubt even the demi-god status, and let the audience think that the tale is a myth, and that the real Hercules is just a hard-hitting, large-framed mercenary? They will identify more with such a fallible figure than a pure God! So must have thought Steve Moore, as he wrote the graphic novel "Hercules: The Thracian Wars". Drawn by Admira Wijaya and published in the United States by Radical Studios in 2008, it has led to a new version of the Greek saga, backed by Radical and filmed by Brett Ratner. And to compensate for the missing dimension in the story, there is one on your eyes: 3D.

After completing the labours (punishments, challenges), Hercules is humiliated and becomes a mercenary. Along with five faithful companions, he travels across ancient Greece, selling his services for gold and using his legendary reputation to intimidate enemies. But when the ‘benevolent’ ruler of Thrace and his daughter seek Hercules’ help to defeat a savage and terrifying rebel warlord, Hercules finds that in order for good to triumph and justice to prevail… he must again become the hero he once was… he must embrace his own myth… he must be Hercules.

Ratner made his debut in 1997, directing his first feature film, Cash, a comedy about the misadventures of a small-time crook (Chris Tucker) and a journalist (Charlie Sheen), pitted against a diamond smuggler. His first big success was Rush Hour (1998), an action comedy that introduced Jackie Chan to the American public. Building on this success, the filmmaker made two other episodes: Rush Hour 2 (2001) and Rush Hour 3 (2007). After X-Men: The Last Stand and the episodic film My Movie Project (2013), for which he directed the segment Happy Birthday, he has come-up with the Dwayne Johnson starrer, Hercules.

Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock, famous for the Fast and Furious series) is not fully black, nor is he white. He is neither a giant (by wrestler standards, 1.96 metres is tall, but not amazingly so) nor a heavy-weight (120 kg).--just the right choice for a hero whose ambiguity is at the core of the film. Type-casting for an action spectacle in general, but for the Greek war extravaganza and its mainstay, Zeus’s illegitimate son Hercules? Not so type cast. Dwayne Johnson and Kellan Lutz (who plays the role in the Disney film on Hercules) are not the first actors to play the famous Greek hero. Others who have played the legendary character include Steve Reeves, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, Mickey Hargitay and Reg Park.

Even The Rock had to undergo rigorous preparation for the role of the Hercules. He needed to train intensively for eight months, to sculpt his athletic body for the role, cut off from the world like a monk, for the duration of filming. Super confident gait, dead-pan approach to crises and just that little ‘enjoying the proceedings’ style make it a good outing for Johnson.

Moore and Wijaya’s source material was adapted into a script by two screenwriters who are looking to prove their mettle: Ryan Condal and Evan Spiliotopoulos. With the help of spectacular CGI enhanced battles—including at least one innovation featuring a chariot blade--and a generous dose both haha and subtle humour, they have proven their ‘metal’. (For mettle, they’ll have to do it at least a couple of times again).

Ian McShane (Jack the Giant Slayer) is endearing and funny as the ‘prophet’, John Hurt (Doctor Who) is diminutive yet theatrically sound as King Cotys, Joseph Fiennes (American Horror Story: Asylum) as Eurystheus is able to sustain some sense in a stock climax, Barbara Palvin (Hungarian model on debut) plays Fiennes’ wife Antimache (name?) in a blink and gone role, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal (Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters) flaunts a bow and arrows, along with shapely legs, amidst massacres, Tobias Santelman as Rhesus (name?) makes a worthy rebel.

Hercules marks the debut film of the 28-year old Russian supermodel Irina (meaning peace) Shayk(hislamova), known to football aficionados as Cristiano Ronaldo’s girl-friend. She plays Hercules’s wife Megara in a one-scene appearance. One scene, maybe, but she’d rather play Megara than… “Every time I get a script, it’s, like, bartender…stripper… And I don’t think I would make a bad bartender or stripper, you know? But Greek mythology! Irina is a Greek name, so I think: Maybe it’s destiny? I had met Brett over the years at different events and we had always wanted to work together so when this role of Megara came up it seemed like a perfect fit.” Profundity?

Hercules was shot in the city of Bucharest, Hungary, and not in Greece, in a six-month schedule. Savour the locales and the photography, till each location turns into a giant graveyard. At 99 minutes, the film never sags or drags. Incidentally, did I see some of the rebel fighters wielding their scythes the wrong way?

Rating: ***

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj_xJNuLunQ