If you like a banal story with bad acting, Hercules should be right up your alley. If you have no such kinks, you might find actual entertainment, moving with the times at 22 Jump Street.

The trick to not getting bored with a film like Hercules, then, is to play along with the lead actor and director, as they dish out a passable film. Don’t expect too much, and Hercules at least won’t make you regret watching it.

Dwayne Johnson may not be the most talented actor around but since he is sincere, there is something likable about him. With his presence Hercules is tolerable, else it would have been a disaster.

A laboured attempt at redefining Hercules for the new generation.

The film is directed by Brett Ratner, who continues his onslaught upon the audience that he started with the Rush Hour sequels, X-Men 3 and Tower Heist. If you thought those films were bad, you have seen nothing yet. To make this all the more unpleasant, it’s in 3D.

With two Hercules films already out this year, this one comes off too little, too late despite being a far superior effort than the other two. Could’ve been so much better. Watchable, but not repeat-worthy.

Packed with not-too-bad 3D effects – arrows whizzing out of the screen, dangerous creatures lunging at you – and unapologetically embracing its B-movie ambitions, Hercules is watchable and occasionally good fun too. Just don’t go in with Gladiator-level expectations.

Most important, the pacing is snappy. It may sound like a backhanded compliment to praise this sometimes cheesy movie for never taking itself too seriously, but in a summer of bloated spectacles, this modesty should not be underestimated.

The film delivers exactly what this suggests. Former wrestler Johnson is not much of an actor. So it helps that stringy wet hair partially covers his face almost throughout, thereby saving him the effort of having to emote.

Fans of sword-and-sandal films are bound to like this one as well. Just leave your thinking caps at home.

What keeps you hooked is the rich earthy textures of the frames, the impressive production values and excellent 3D effects.

In spite of its flaws, it is a treat to watch “Hercules”

While Hercules isn’t unwatchable, it is disappointing because an action spectacle like this one has no business being boring. You’re better off imagining what adventures could await Hercules and Singham if they did actually join biceps.

Hercules is a good film compared to the other one that was inflicted on us. Dwayne Johnson does his part.

Hercules would be little more than a series of wars and body pile-ups strung together — even if Ratner does manage to surprise once in a while.

When Johnson isn’t punching and slashing, he conveys the softer emotions rather well. His pals though, whether by design or not, don’t leave an impact. Fiennes’ Eurystheus deserved more screen time. The climax could’ve been better and while the battles scenes aren’t as epic as *Gladiator*, the film, along with its sprinkling of tongue-in-cheek lines, makes for a fun watch.