CineTV Contest #128 - Hercules in New York Review. One of my favorite top movies of my childhood
Today i decided to participate in the CineTV Contest #128 and share with you the review of a film that marked my childhood in a rather funny way. I'm talking about Hercules in New York, which although i discovered it in the '90s, this film managed to capture my imagination and become one of my favorites.
When i was a child, films were not just stories told on the screen, but real portals to unsuspected worlds. Sometimes, a film could transform everyday reality into a fantastic adventure, and one of these experiences was Hercules in New York. I perfectly remember my first encounter with this film, discovered by chance in the '90s, when Arnold Schwarzenegger, a name that would become synonymous with action heroes, was just at the beginning of his film career.
Released in 1969, Hercules in New York is the first film in which Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a leading role, and his overflowing energy is felt in every scene. The story is simple, but original- bored with the immaculate life of Olympus, Hercules decides that it is time to explore the world of mortals. Against the will of Zeus, he ends up in New York, the city where the gods of Greek mythology meet the honking taxi horns and the frenetic pace of modern life.
If mythology has taught us that Hercules is an invincible hero, the film comes with an unexpected challenge – how does a demigod cope in a place where physical strength is not always enough? Well, the answer is funny and full of absurd moments. Hercules tries to adapt, but we see him more as a naive giant, caught between modern culture and his own ancient beliefs. Dressed in an old-fashioned tunic, with his pronounced Austrian accent (dubbed in some versions of the film), Schwarzenegger offers a unique Hercules, different from what I would have discovered reading about the legends of Olympus at the time
The story The film begins with Hercules, who is bored in Olympus and wants to explore the world of mortals. Zeus, his father, sends him to Earth, where he ends up in New York City. Hercules faces the challenges of modern life and tries to adapt to his new environment. Throughout his adventures, he meets interesting characters and goes through various adventures.
- Some parts of the script may seem simplistic or naive by today's standards, but this is part of the charm of old films. Given the limited technology of the time, the special effects are not at the level of those in modern films. However, this does not diminish the charm of the film.
Hercules in New York is a film that has managed to capture the imagination of many children and become a classic of its time. Arnold Schwarzenegger's performance, the humor and the atmosphere of the '60s make this film a pleasant and nostalgic experience. Although it has some technical limitations, the film remains a perfect childhood memory for many of us.
For me, this film will always remain a nostalgic journey. Not only because i discovered it as a child, but because it manages to capture an era of cinema in which stories were told with simplicity and passion. Hercules in New York is not a perfect film, but its imperfections are precisely what make it so memorable.
So, if you ever feel like seeing a different Hercules, wandering around New York in the '60s, hailing taxis and causing chaos in the most innocent way possible, this film is worth at least a viewing. It might surprise you, just like it surprised me, many years ago.
Indeed, Arnold Schwarzenegger's acting in this movie set the tone of his career as a top Hollywood actor.
He was not limited by his bodybuilding physique, but he let his talent for natural humor to grow and offer some hilarious moments to viewers.
This movie is different from earlier movies where the leading actor is a bodybuilder, such as Steve Reeves in his Hercules film of 1958.
In Steve Reeves' Hercules, the ancient hero was given an epic tone, whereas Arnold Schwarzenegger Hercules had to face modern everyday life in a big city.