This is the second outing for Steve Reeves as Hercules and it is a direct sequel as it picks up pretty much where the last film left off. I saw this film as an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000, not sure the episode it was as I do not believe they did the Hercules films in order. This one is like the first Hercules film, in that it actually looks very good as far as production value, especially considering the time it was released. That being said, the film also drags just as the first one did. In fact, I find the Hercules films all follow a similar blueprint for the most part, at least the ones I have seen. Hercules goes on a grand adventure, ends up captured by some beautiful queen and then proceeds back on his adventure. There is always that filler where he is tempted by some beautiful, albeit strange lady. The only film that really did not follow this blueprint was the first film, but it did feature a segment where some of the men were taken prisoner by the Amazon women, Hercules was on the island too, but that time is the only time I have seen where it was not him. Steve Reeves looks the part of Hercules, but even when it wasn't Reeves they usually did a good job of finding someone with a good build and beard. Though I say Reeves looked the most natural.
The story has Hercules and his new bride Iole travel to Hercules hometown with Ulisses in tow. Hercules has to battle the giant Anteo right off the bat, and this is probably one of the few highlights of the film. After the battle he ends up finding out that his hometown is about to go to war due to two brothers feuding for the power of the throne. Hercules does his best to try and bring peace, but unfortunately, he drinks some water that is enchanted and pretty much gives him amnesia. He and Ulisses are then captured and brought to a kingdom where a beautiful, but weird looking queen, seduces Hercules and convinces him that he is king and she is his queen. Meanwhile, tensions build between the two brothers as both think Hercules is working for the other!
This made for an all right episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. The problem with them doing this one and the first Hercules is the time constraint on the show. Makes the films seem very messed up as one can just see that there are huge portions of the film that were cut out. Not as bad as the first Hercules film where it was like they only did highlights from each plot point. This one still is a bit of a mess during the ending scenes as they seemed to focus mainly on Hercules exploits on the island of the sex craving queen. Still, it was rather funny, though the fact all these Hercules films kind of play out the same way makes doing four of them a bit excessive.
So the movie is not too terribly bad, but not good in any way either. I just find this Hercules films of the older days to be a bit slow moving as it is mainly set up and then a brief burst of action here and there. At least they give Hercules his incredible strength though as they do a good job making him look inhumanely strong. Plenty of pretty girls to look at for the guys and plenty of sweaty dudes for the girls, almost a film for everyone! Just too much talking and not enough battling for my tastes though.
The story has Hercules and his new bride Iole travel to Hercules hometown with Ulisses in tow. Hercules has to battle the giant Anteo right off the bat, and this is probably one of the few highlights of the film. After the battle he ends up finding out that his hometown is about to go to war due to two brothers feuding for the power of the throne. Hercules does his best to try and bring peace, but unfortunately, he drinks some water that is enchanted and pretty much gives him amnesia. He and Ulisses are then captured and brought to a kingdom where a beautiful, but weird looking queen, seduces Hercules and convinces him that he is king and she is his queen. Meanwhile, tensions build between the two brothers as both think Hercules is working for the other!
This made for an all right episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. The problem with them doing this one and the first Hercules is the time constraint on the show. Makes the films seem very messed up as one can just see that there are huge portions of the film that were cut out. Not as bad as the first Hercules film where it was like they only did highlights from each plot point. This one still is a bit of a mess during the ending scenes as they seemed to focus mainly on Hercules exploits on the island of the sex craving queen. Still, it was rather funny, though the fact all these Hercules films kind of play out the same way makes doing four of them a bit excessive.
So the movie is not too terribly bad, but not good in any way either. I just find this Hercules films of the older days to be a bit slow moving as it is mainly set up and then a brief burst of action here and there. At least they give Hercules his incredible strength though as they do a good job making him look inhumanely strong. Plenty of pretty girls to look at for the guys and plenty of sweaty dudes for the girls, almost a film for everyone! Just too much talking and not enough battling for my tastes though.