Watching the 1964 camp classic Hercules Against the Moon Men the other day, I could not help but think about Dwayne Johnson and how truly perfect he is to succeed other Hercules actors and play the muscle-bound hero who has become a campy icon. Now that I have seen the latest Hercules TV spot, which features Johnson, his biceps, and a host of CGI beasties, I must say that I think my thoughts on this character have been confirmed.
Hercules features a “revisionist take” on the Greek myth, taking place after the hero’s twelve labors. He’s now become part of a band of traveling mercenaries, trading on his name until he’s hired by the King of Thrace (John Hurt) to train the Thracian Army for an epic battle against a warlord. This will apparently involve a healthy injection of various mythical creatures, including the multi-headed hydra and a very big, very unrealistic lion, not to mention some pulsating martial music. It’s all in a day’s work for old Herc.
But I do not think that anyone will go to see Brett Ratner’s version of Greek mythology expecting a serious or even classical take on the story. This is strictly in 300 territory, although obviously with a bit more humor and possibly less slow-motion than we expect from that franchise. Johnson is always a charming screen presence and a lot of fun to watch, and as I say, he’s perfect for this role.
Hercules will be released in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D on July 25. You can watch the latest TV spot below.
