The Legend of Hercules

                        The Legend of Hercules


                                             where latest CGI fails to do justice to classic 

The film stars Kellan Lutz as the mythical hero Hercules and depicts the story of this brave Grecian warrior. This is a story of love, lust and bravery where a beautiful Grecian queen succumbs to the advances of Zeus, god of sky and thunder, to bear his demigod son Hercules. He is half-man and half god, blessed with super human strength, whose fate is to overthrow a repressive and tyrant ruler who is also his step-father. He has taken birth to bring peace to a land which suffers only hardship. But unfortunately, Prince Hercules knows nothing of his real identity or his predetermined destiny which is to depose of his step father – the king. In his growing up years, Hercules is shown as an ordinary boy with footloose ways and desperately seeking the love of a fair maiden named Hebe. Hebe is the Princess of Crete and engaged to be married to Hercules's own brother. In spite of knowing that his brother is set to marry her, he pursues her. This angers the king who was looking for an excuse to banish him from his kingdom. Hercules is betrayed by his stepfather who exiles him and sells him to slavery to punish him for his forbidden love. It is when he is in exile that Hercules learns the truth about himself-about his powers and about his purpose and the lover boy changes into a warrior man. It is a time to choose whether to flee with Hebe or stay and use his immense powers to fulfill his mission of fighting his way back to his rightful kingdom by overthrowing the king and become the true hero of his time.

Legend of Hercules is one of two Hercules movies in 2014, the other one is set for release in July starring Dwayne Johnson and Directed by Brett Ratner. And, after seeing this movie, I'm really looking forward to the Brett Ratner version, and that's saying something.

The most dominant elements were from "300". This film in fact looked like a sequel of "300" because of the similar style of computer graphics used for the sweeping scenery, the crowds, the fights.Renny Harlin has really just lost his touch of great movies. Back in the 80's and 90's he had some great movies like Cliffhanger, Nightmare on Elm Street 4, Long Kiss Goodnight and Die Hard 2. We also pick up similarities with "Troy" especially with regards to the battle scenes. The jumping attack move made classic by Brad Pitt's Achilles was multiplied so many times over in frequency and variation. We will also get reminded of deadly accurate archery skills of Orlando Bloom's Prince Paris.

About halfway into the film, we will remember "Ben Hur" as Hercules becomes a slave and was made to row an ocean-going sailing vessel in rough waters. Then it becomes "Spartacus" as Hercules becomes an arena fighter for people's entertainment and gambling.

Later on, we will be reminded of "Samson and Delilah" when Hercules was being whipped while chained to two pillars. At that moment there will be a scene of mocking and divine communication reminiscent of the crucifixion scene 
from any film about Jesus like "The Passion of the Christ".

It figures that since Hercules' travels are bizarrely bereft of mythological monstrosities, the focus instead turns to the utilization of 3D. The opening scene features countless arrows arching straight into viewers' eyes, while most of the trekking and battling involves admirable depth of field use – whether it's realized in cinematographic framing of environments or acrobatic dueling in an arena. Many of these moments are perhaps too crisp and clean, paralleling the glowing white teeth, hairless bodies, and flawless makeup of glamorized ancient Greece. Although combat frequently resembles mixed martial arts instead of the traditional skirmishes of "Ben-Hur" or "Spartacus" (this film wants to be "300" more than "Gladiator"), Hercules momentarily takes on the role of Robin Hood, and the politically correct world of filmmaking demands that one of the six undefeated gladiatorial champions of Greece is a woman, "The Legend of Hercules" is a production that can be thoroughly enjoyed until the very end – even if it's forgotten mere minutes after that.the only thing worth remembering is costume which is done by indian Sonu Mishra. in major holywood film this is worth mentioning achivement long after Bhanu Athaiya got oscar for "Gandhi".