Comparing 'The Legend of Hercules' and 'The Rock's Hercules': A 2014 Movie Showdown
Delving into the battle of the 2014 Hercules movies to determine which one reigns supreme. Which Hercules film from 2014 stood out as the superior cinematic experience?
Renny Harlin's The Legend of Hercules and Brett Ratner's Hercules were both movies released in 2014 about the legendary hero. However, only one can truly be seen as a tribute to the warrior's story. The Legend of Hercules is a 3D fantasy film that follows the early life of Alcides (played by Kellan Lutz) in Ancient Greece, where he discovers his true destiny after being sold into slavery in Egypt by his father, King Amphitryon.
On the other hand, MGM's Hercules is based on a graphic novel by Steve Moore and draws inspiration from the legend of the Twelve Labors. In this adaptation, Hercules (portrayed by Dwayne Johnson) is depicted as a broken and troubled man haunted by his past, who is summoned to battle an evil warlord. Both films present different perspectives on the legendary adventures of Hercules, but only one manages to deliver a memorable and captivating tale of the mighty warrior.
Movie Cast - Winner - Hercules
Kellan Lutz as Hercules whipping a chain in The Legend of Hercules - Movie Cast - Winner - Hercules
Both movies featured a unique ensemble of actors in key roles. In The Legend of Hercules, Kellan Lutz portrayed the demigod alongside Gaia Weiss as Princess Hebe. Scott Atkins and Liam Garrigan played King Amphitryon and Iphicles, respectively, as fierce adversaries determined to thwart Hercules' path to kingship. On the other hand, Hercules starred Dwayne Johnson as the titular character, supported by Irina Shayk as his late wife Megara.
Hercules is aided by a group of mercenaries in his quest, including Atalanta, Amphiaraus, Tydeus, and Autolycus, played by Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Ian McShane, Aksel Hennie, and Rufus Sewell, respectively. Reece Ritche takes on the role of Iolaus, the storyteller. The carefully selected cast of Hercules adds depth to the narrative, emphasizing themes of camaraderie and standing up for justice, captivating audiences with its compelling story.
Overall Story - Winner - Hercules
Dwayne Johnson on a battlefield in Hercules - Overall Story - Winner - Hercules
The Legend of Hercules tells the origin story of the hero, set in Ancient Greece around 1200 BC. Hercules, involved in a secret love affair with Princess Hebe of Crete, is betrayed by the king and sold into slavery. He must then decide between saving his love or embracing his destiny as a hero. The movie focuses more on romance, particularly the battle between Hercules and Iphicles for Princess Hebe's hand, rather than conflict. Critics found the overall story of The Legend of Hercules to be dull and uninteresting, failing to effectively showcase Hercules' journey to strength and power.
On the other hand, Hercules offers a different perspective, presenting a captivating tale of a lost man searching for his purpose.
Visuals - Winner - The Legend of Hercules
The movie Hercules is set in 1400 BC and shows the hero facing inner turmoil following the tragic death of his family. After completing the Twelve Labors, he is approached by King Cotys and Princess Ergenia to help restore peace to the kingdom of Thrace. The plot follows Hercules as he leads the army in a battle against Rhesus. Throughout the film, the warrior grapples with self-doubt and relies on fighting as his only solace after experiencing great loss. Unlike The Legend of Hercules, which focused on romance and conflict, Hercules offers a fresh take on the mythical hero by presenting a story of a lost man searching for his purpose.
The Legend of Hercules - Kellan Lutz - Visuals - Winner - The Legend of Hercules
Both films utilized CGI and visual effects to depict Hercules' intense battles. In "The Legend of Hercules," director Renny Harlin and cinematographer Sam McCurdy carefully crafted the battle scenes with a clear visual style to captivate viewers. They also utilized 3-D technology to amplify Hercules' might and abilities, such as the scene where he breaks free from chains and confronts his stepfather's army (via Home Cinema Choice).
Box Office - Winner - Hercules
Hercules, directed by Brett Ratner and shot by cinematographer Dante Spinotti, utilized double negative and CGI to showcase the warrior's fights and adventures. Both films featured stunning visuals, but The Legend of Hercules takes the lead in this category due to the effective use of 3-D, enhancing the impact of the battle sequences.
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Dwayne Johnson in battle in Hercules - Box Office - Winner - Hercules
Dwayne Johnson's Hercules hit theaters in the summer of 2014. Despite having a budget of $100 million, the movie ended up exceeding expectations by earning over $200 million at the box office. It debuted in 3,595 theaters, raking in an impressive $29,800,263 in its first week alone. Over the course of 22 weeks in theaters, Hercules went on to make more than $172 million worldwide, proving to be a huge success (according to Box Office Mojo).
| Movie | Budget | Box Office |
|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Hercules | $70 million | $61.3 million |
| Hercules | $100 million | $244.8 million |
The movie The Legend of Hercules came out in January 2014 with a budget of $70 million. During its first week, it earned $8,868,318 in 2,104 theaters. Even though it was shown in theaters for 50 weeks, the film only managed to bring in a little over $61 million globally. Unfortunately, it didn't make enough to cover its production costs, making Hercules the more successful movie when it came to box office earnings. (Source: Box Office Mojo)
Hercules Was The Better 2014 Movie
hercules-heading-into-battle-2014 - Hercules Was The Better 2014 Movie
In comparing the two movies released in 2014, MGM's Hercules stands out as the superior film. It offered a fresh take on the mythical hero, showcasing a more relatable and humane side that hadn't been explored in previous adaptations. Critics found Hercules to be surprisingly entertaining, allowing Dwayne Johnson to display his acting and fighting skills effectively.
Both movies shed light on the legend of Hercules, but when considering the story, cast, and effects, MGM's Hercules emerges as the clear winner. It not only delivers thrilling action sequences and epic battles, but also portrays Hercules as a man with vulnerabilities and a tragic past that shaped him into the legendary warrior he became. While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, MGM's Hercules is the stronger and more memorable of the two films.
Sources: Box Office Mojo, Home Cinema Choice
Editor's P/S:
The article provides an insightful comparison between two 2014 films about the legendary hero Hercules. While both films present different perspectives on the character, the article argues that MGM's Hercules emerges as the superior choice. I agree with this assessment, as I found Hercules to be a more compelling and well-rounded film.
The article highlights several key factors that contribute to Hercules' success. The cast, led by Dwayne Johnson, delivers strong performances and brings depth to their respective roles. The film's story, which draws inspiration from the graphic novel and the legend of the Twelve Labors, offers a fresh and engaging take on the character. Furthermore, the visuals and action sequences are stunning and effectively showcase Hercules' might and abilities. These elements combine to create a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
