Hercules: Myths vs. Reality in Brett Ratner’s Action Film
The myths and legends of Hercules (Dwayne Johnson), son of Zeus, are known throughout Greece. But how much of it is true? Only Iolaus, Hercules’ nephew, knows for sure, as he’s the one spinning the tales about his uncle. In reality, Hercules is a powerful but not invulnerable mercenary, traveling the land with a band of loyal companions in search of work. Their latest employer is King Cotys (John Hurt) of Thrace, whose lands are being ravaged by the rebellious Rhesus and his vast army, rumored to include even centaurs.
Fun Fact: According to Dwayne Johnson, Hercules’ beard was made from yak pubic hair.
Brett Ratner’s Safe Directing
Brett Ratner is the epitome of a Hollywood craftsman: a remarkably average director who, when taking on a new project, seems most afraid of doing anything wrong. He never takes risks and cuts corners until his films become shapeless mush. Even in the utterly insane “Movie 43,” Ratner directed the safest segment – a brawl between Johnny Knoxville and Seann William Scott (the casting speaks volumes) and an unfriendly leprechaun with Gerard Butler’s face.
Trivia: A year before the film’s release, Johnson’s cousin, also a wrestler named Tamina Snuka, claimed to have a role in “Hercules” and even posted photos of herself reading the script, but she doesn’t appear in the final version.
When “Safe” Works: Dwayne Johnson as the Modern-Day Jackie Chan
“Hercules” is one of those rare instances where Ratner’s “neither fish nor fowl” approach actually works, for the second time in his career. The first time was 16 years ago with “Rush Hour,” which is fitting because Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is essentially the Jackie Chan of the Western world. He’s a big, smiling, good-natured guy who helps, guides, and sets an example. Just look at his Facebook page, where he’s either hugging fans (with nothing “inappropriate” even crossing your mind!), writing about how he’s inspired by people with disabilities, or posting photos of himself playing patty-cake with an adorable three-year-old girl between takes of “Hercules” in full battle gear.
A Role Model Movie
Whether you like it or not, The Rock is now an ideal role model for teenagers, and “Hercules” is, in many ways, an ideal “role model movie.” It directly conveys simple, obvious, but not necessarily primitive messages without complex metaphors or clever symbolism: that a person creates their own destiny, that you should rely on yourself as well as the gods, that the strong should protect the weak, that you should correct your mistakes, and that you are responsible for those you have tamed. “Hercules” doesn’t feel like it’s trying to force these truths on you. Ratner is too straightforward and unsophisticated a director for that (which is not only a curse but, in some cases, a gift). As a result, they are surprisingly well-received, even if you’re no longer thirteen years old.
Action and Charismatic Actors
For its PG-13 rating, “Hercules” is quite bloody and brutal. The line between it and, say, the infamous “Conan” with Jason Momoa is quite blurred. The film is packed with excellent action, and Ratner has assembled a remarkably charismatic cast, even if most of them are playing walking functions rather than characters. Joseph Fiennes, with his trashy affectations, stands out in particular. He only appears in a couple of scenes and wildly contrasts with everything around him, but he still “pulls off” the role, making his character memorable.
The Marketing Misdirection
The only thing that could seriously damage “Hercules’” reputation is its marketing campaign, which tries to “sell” the film as a fantasy epic, which it definitely is not. The promised twelve labors of Hercules are rattled off in the first five minutes by Iolaus while hanging over a stake (and we’ve seen all these scenes – with the Hydra, the boar, and the lion – in the trailers). What follows is a completely grounded and (to a certain extent) realistic film, where centaurs turn out to be ordinary horsemen and the three-headed Cerberus is just a trio of wolves. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but there will likely be many dissatisfied people among those who come to the cinema expecting one thing and seeing something completely different.