The Legend of Hercules 2014

David Hiltbrand, Philadelphia Inquirer: The Legend of Hercules may not track, but Harlin still knows how to set up a rousing circus. Read more

Scott Foundas, Variety: While the role may not call for a master thespian, it at least begs someone who can emote without looking like he's straining to execute a dead lift. Read more

Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, AV Club: The dialogue isn't dubbed, but is written and delivered so indifferently that it might as well have been. Read more

Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic: The whole thing is a total bore. Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: Essentially a Monday Night Raw episode with mythological dressing. Read more

Matt Patches, Film.com: There's nothing mythic about this Hercules. Read more

Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter: If The Legend of Hercules were just a little more inept or over-the-top, it might have been ridiculous fun. ...Unfortunately, Harlin embraces the mediocrity of the screenplay with a dour straight face, draining it of any enjoyably camp possibilities. Read more

Martin Tsai, Los Angeles Times: [Other "Hercules" movies] at least nodded at classical mythology. Harlin's boasts a Hercules in name chiefly and banks on moviegoers' ignorance. Read more

Rafer Guzman, Newsday: This painfully feeble version of the strongman story fails on every level, from Lutz's wooden acting to the styrofoam special effects. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: It's amazing to think there were grown-ups behind the making of The Legend of Hercules. Read more

A.O. Scott, New York Times: It delivers what it promises, which is muscular guys in skimpy clothes fighting and howling, as well as some large-scale digitally enhanced battle sequences. Read more

Scott Bowles, USA Today: Cross-pollinated by sword-and-sandal flicks 300 and Gladiator,this Hercules can't muster the visual punch of the first nor the character depth of the latter. Read more

Stephanie Zacharek, Village Voice: You could ask for more -- an actual script, maybe? -- but Harlin covers most of the basics. Or, perhaps more accurately, he leaves them uncovered. Read more

Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine/Vulture: Everybody seems to have been cast based on their ability to either stare blankly, or to scream, often at the heavens. Read more

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: The only thing epic about The Legend of Hercules is what a failure it is. Read more