Do you know why Arnold is flexing? Because this is the first ever film starring the then-aspiring bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In fact, this is the only thing that he is doing the right way in the whole movie-flexing.
Arnold’s debut motion picture is a raw and hilarious representation of the young version of one of the most successful men in the world.
Schwarzenegger’s evident lack of on-screen experience make this movie looks more like a documentary on bodybuilding.
But first things first.
Contents
The plot:
Taking place back in 1970 when Arnold is still an adolescent, the movie tells us the story of the powerful gods of Olympus- the home of the Greek Gods.
The plot centers more on the life of Zeus and mostly on his son Hercules (guess from the first time, which Austrian oak took the role).
The young Hercules is spending his glorious but boring adolescence in Olympus- a kingdom far above the clouds among his divine family. One day he decides to disobey his father’s will and escapes to earth.
One day he decides to disobey his father’s will and escapes to earth.
There, he is starting to explore things he has never experienced before- he falls into the trap of love and he struggles to become an undisputed bodybuilding champion.
The cast:
What cast?! Only Arnold is important here.
He is also the single known name in the production.
In fact, by the time, he was only a young bodybuilder who was trying to make his way to the Hollywood top, just like many other aspiring actors with a certain amount of self-esteem.
This is a Funny Action Movie because:
Like previously noticed, this is the first Arnold movie ever! He is so inexperienced in acting that you risk having shortness of breath from laughter while watching the young Austrian desperately trying to be an actor.
Originally, Schwarzenegger’s voice was dubbed because he barely spoke English at the time.
Later, however, when the DVD version was released, his own voice was included in the movie.
It won’t be far from the truth to state that once the DVD version of the film was released, it gained international success.
It is just my personal opinion here but I believe that it is due to the fact that then, for the first time, the world heard Arnold’s legendary and ridiculous Austrian accent.
And that changed everything.
The plot is so primitive, the directing so poor and the acting so bad that it hurts. The whole movie is a complete nonsense from the beginning to the very end.
It is like someone decided on Tuesday to make a movie and on Wednesday it was all wrapped up and ready to be on screen.
The cast is disturbingly inappropriate and the acting is pathetic.
But wait!
Isn’t it exactly what we are looking for? That’s right. That is the whole idea of it.
It is a sick fun and be sure that it is enjoyable. Arnold’s accent is terribly hilarious and God forbid, don’t watch this movie dubbed!
Just experience Arnold crying out like a five-year-old retarded child “I am Hercules” a thousand times or “No man is superior to Hercules”.
The accent, combined with his funny face moves can easily make you go into spasms of laughter.
Make sure that you don’t miss the part at the beginning of the movie when he complains to his mighty father Zeus that he is “tired of the zame old zings, the same old facezz”.
At this time, you won’t be sure if by the end of the movie Hercules will become bodybuilding champion but somehow you feel that he will definitely win the “who has the most ridiculous accent” competition.
The funniest part is when Hercules is walking on the street along with his hot date and spots a bodybuilding competition poster with some tough man on the cover.
He immediately goes angry and jealous. With the blink of an eye, he tears up his tight t-shirt and starts flexing his giant muscles in order to prove to his girlfriend that his is the God of the gym.
He moves like a wounded panda.
It is truly spectacular to observe.
Another great scene is the scene with the bear. The extraordinary muscular Schwarzenegger takes his girl on a romantic carriage ride.
All of a sudden, a bear comes out of nowhere and stands in front of the carriage roaring loud and menacing the lives of the couple in love.
What do you think happens?
Arnold jumps off the carriage and starts a spectacular one on one fight with the bear. I won’t put spoilers here. I would just mention that the animal activists might get angry.
During the whole movie, Arnold’s expressionless gaze and stiff acting are combined with the boring and inappropriate soundtrack, dramatically dull actors and poor directing. The dialogue is also very, very bad.
The dialogue is also very, very bad.Oh, yes you’ll love this!
Oh, yes you’ll love this!
Conclusion:
Not only this is a must-see movie but if you ask me, it even should be included in your bucket list right after the “parachute diving” check off.
Seriously, this gem perfectly serves its purpose- to distract you, to make you feel good and to make you laugh no matter if you are an Arnold Schwarzenegger fan or not.
Did it succeed? Please drop me a comment below.