Hercules in New York

Rating:
Summary: Governor Arnold at His Worst
Review: I realize that there has been an increase of interest in Arnold movies ever since he became Governor of California, however if you want to see an Arnold movie go see "Kindergarden Cop" or "Twins" (which even both of those movies aren't that good). It's no wonder this movie never did well at the box office. The storyline and the acting was extremely bad and very cheezy. It should be considered a spoof, rather than an actual movie. I would not see this movie, but if you must see it, do yourself a favor and rent it first.

Rating:
Summary: Arnold uber alles!
Review: I watched this last night on AMC (because this is, obviously, a classic). They showed the version with Arnold's real voice, what a hoot! Enjoy a young Arnold (still approaching the peak of his bodybuilding career, and proportioned much differently than he is today) walking around New York in ill-fitting sweaters and sans-a-belt pants, scoring a swinging girlfriend, and getting mixed up with mobsters. Believe it or not, there is a plot.

Rating:
Summary: One of the rarest movies is now brought back to movies!
Review: I've been waiting 2 years for this movie to be on video. it's arnold schwartzenegger's debut movie. i haven't seen the movie yet but im sure it's going to be funny. hurry up and buy it. enjoy (Note. Arnold Scwatxenegger's voice is dubbed in the movie. that what makes it funny)

Rating:
Summary: 70's Fun with Arnold...
Review: Low budget is the key phrase in describing this film debut of the pre-'Pumping Iron" Mighty Ripped One, Arnold. But don't let that keep you from enjoying the film, flaws and all, for it really is a lark and a half. The movie is also known as "Hercules Goes Bananas", and that ought to tell you something.

The music is heavily zithered, a la "The Third Man", but seems oddly appropriate to the film. It actually grows on you, believe it or not. We get an interesting view of the gods hanging out on Mount Olympus, and we meet a dashing Pluto (AKA Death). Tony 'Mr.World' Carroll cameos in a weightlifting contest with Herc, and "Dark Shadows" alum Tracy Loomis plays Herc's love interest, Helen. Soap opera regular Ernest Graves steals all of his scenes as Zeus.

On the DVD, you can choose between the Real Arnold voice track, and the dubbed voice track. I sampled the dubbed version, and then quickly opted for the Real Arnold, with his classic Arnold accent that renders him almost unintelligible ("Eye yam Her-cue-leesse!"). The dubbing is classic in it's own way, however, with the ridiculously deep, white, all-American, manly voice so common to dubbed pictures of Herc, et al. But, with an Arnold movie, we need the sound of Arnold's own vocal undulations as he navigates the rocky waters of the English language.

Arnold Stang actually gets top billing over Arnold Strong (Schwarzenegger). Stang was a memorable, but largely forgotten comedian from the golden age of television. Perhaps most memorable for the voices of "Top Cat" (Hanna-Barbera)and "Herman" (Famous Studios), Stang also appeared in "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World". Here, Stang plays the goofy schlub "Pretzie" (so named because he sells pretzels), a perpetually bewildered person who befriends the bewildered Herc.

Herc has been cast out of Olympus for talking smack to his dad, Zeus. Herc wants to meet new people, and see the mortal world, and when Zeus gets tired of hearing about it, he hurls a lightning bolt (which looks suspiciously like a bent piece of re-bar that was spray painted silver), and POOF! Herc is falling to Earth. Before you know it, he's teaching athletes how to throw the discus and javelins, becoming outraged when he sees a movie poster for a Herc movie, beating up escaped grizzly bears, etc. He also starts making time with the daughter of a college professor (with an interest in mythology, of course), and takes up wrestling.

Half the fun is Arnold's acting. The other half is the valiant attempt of the filmmakers in making lemons out of lemonade on their skimpy budget. Stang is a bit over the top at times, but really helps to keep things moving in a typical kid's movie kind of way.

Probably the biggest flaw with the movie is that the relationship between Herc and Helen is never resolved. In fact, Helen inexplicably vanishes before the movie is all wrapped up. The movie does end delightfully, with the mighty Zeus casting an eye towards his old stomping grounds, but the loose ends are kind of annoying.

Besides the dual voice track, the DVD also offers some TV spots from the movie's 1980 re-release (post-"Conan"), in which Arnold is given heavy play.

The DVD is a must-have for Arnold fans, or fans of low-budget dreck for the 70's. Suitable as a guilty pleasure, or as a treat for the kid in all of us.

Rating:
Summary: 70's Fun with Arnold...
Review: Low budget is the key phrase in describing this film debut of the pre-'Pumping Iron" Mighty Ripped One, Arnold. But don't let that keep you from enjoying the film, flaws and all, for it really is a lark and a half. The movie is also known as "Hercules Goes Bananas", and that ought to tell you something.

The music is heavily zithered, a la "The Third Man", but seems oddly appropriate to the film. It actually grows on you, believe it or not. We get an interesting view of the gods hanging out on Mount Olympus, and we meet a dashing Pluto (AKA Death). Tony 'Mr.World' Carroll cameos in a weightlifting contest with Herc, and "Dark Shadows" alum Tracy Loomis plays Herc's love interest, Helen. Soap opera regular Ernest Graves steals all of his scenes as Zeus.

On the DVD, you can choose between the Real Arnold voice track, and the dubbed voice track. I sampled the dubbed version, and then quickly opted for the Real Arnold, with his classic Arnold accent that renders him almost unintelligible ("Eye yam Her-cue-leesse!"). The dubbing is classic in it's own way, however, with the ridiculously deep, white, all-American, manly voice so common to dubbed pictures of Herc, et al. But, with an Arnold movie, we need the sound of Arnold's own vocal undulations as he navigates the rocky waters of the English language.

Arnold Stang actually gets top billing over Arnold Strong (Schwarzenegger). Stang was a memorable, but largely forgotten comedian from the golden age of television. Perhaps most memorable for the voices of "Top Cat" (Hanna-Barbera)and "Herman" (Famous Studios), Stang also appeared in "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World". Here, Stang plays the goofy schlub "Pretzie" (so named because he sells pretzels), a perpetually bewildered person who befriends the bewildered Herc.

Herc has been cast out of Olympus for talking smack to his dad, Zeus. Herc wants to meet new people, and see the mortal world, and when Zeus gets tired of hearing about it, he hurls a lightning bolt (which looks suspiciously like a bent piece of re-bar that was spray painted silver), and POOF! Herc is falling to Earth. Before you know it, he's teaching athletes how to throw the discus and javelins, becoming outraged when he sees a movie poster for a Herc movie, beating up escaped grizzly bears, etc. He also starts making time with the daughter of a college professor (with an interest in mythology, of course), and takes up wrestling.

Half the fun is Arnold's acting. The other half is the valiant attempt of the filmmakers in making lemons out of lemonade on their skimpy budget. Stang is a bit over the top at times, but really helps to keep things moving in a typical kid's movie kind of way.

Probably the biggest flaw with the movie is that the relationship between Herc and Helen is never resolved. In fact, Helen inexplicably vanishes before the movie is all wrapped up. The movie does end delightfully, with the mighty Zeus casting an eye towards his old stomping grounds, but the loose ends are kind of annoying.

Besides the dual voice track, the DVD also offers some TV spots from the movie's 1980 re-release (post-"Conan"), in which Arnold is given heavy play.

The DVD is a must-have for Arnold fans, or fans of low-budget dreck for the 70's. Suitable as a guilty pleasure, or as a treat for the kid in all of us.

Rating:
Summary: Hercules: a solid gold turkey
Review: Now there are very few films that would dare stoop to the level of ridiculous camp that Hercules in New York does. This one is truly a masterpiece of garbage and is absolutely hilarious. The sacreligious dubbing of Arnold's voice only adds to the entertainment("Is this your lover?"). Arnold Stang also does a hilarious turn as Herc's geeky sidekick. All in all, this is truly a milestone for those who love good old fashioned bad movies.

Rating:
Summary: I am Hercules. Son of Zooooz
Review: Oh brother, Arnie sure has come a long way. Here is his debut before Conan and Terminator. Here he plays the demi-god Hercules.

Well he's bored with Olympus and wants to see the world against the wishes of his father. You gotta dig Zeus. Check out the lightning bolts he throws. They look like bent wire pegs they use to make chicken coops.

He makes a friend named Pretzy. After watching this you'll know where the Jerky Boys got their Sol Rosenburg character. Anyway, Arnie demonstrates to a college Olympic team how to throw a jav and a discus and creates quite an impression on a college professor and his cute daughter.

Arnie becomes a wrestler and does a weight-lifting competition on TV. He loses though because his strength was zapped by Nemises.

My favorite seen was when Arnie and the chick are walking through the park. Check out Arnie as he trips on the sidewalk. You would think they would have refilmed the scene and left the original as a 'blooper' scene, but they left it in.

This is a great B-movie that everyone should really see.

Rating:
Summary: greekgodawful
Review: On a budget that makes Blair Witch seem like a Hollywood blockbuster, with production values that would be shamed by your child's high school play, with actors designed to make Arnie seem like Lawrence Olivier, with a director whose only experience was apparently shooting his kid's birthday parties, with a writer who doesn't know he writes comedy, here is a movie you can laugh at, not with. It fascinates like a train wreck and speaking of children, watching our governator get his start makes you feel proud. It also makes you feel that no matter what you have done, you can still be a success. I read that the guv donated a couple million of his 30 for T3 back to help finance the special effects. If he has any pride he will do the same to re-do this one. I think it was all done for about $29.95.

Rating:
Summary: "The horror..."
Review: Originally released in 1970, Arnie's first film made it to video in 1991 and quietly died on the shelves. This re-release gives us a chance to see him in his Mr. Universe prime and is absolutely one of the most inadvertently hilarious movies in the history of man. The thing that kills me is the dubbing. Schwarzenegger could hardly speak English so they dubbed the voice to hilarious outcome. After seeing this, you might also want to check out Pumping Iron, an excellent documentary in which we see Arnie utterly humiliate Lou Ferigno (in front of his parents!) and play the cruelest practical joke ever. I love this guy!

Rating:
Summary: Didn't Like It
Review: See Arnold Schwarzenegger as the mythological Hercules! Toga clad andripped to Mr. Universe proportions, Hercules is bored with life on Mount Olympus and declares his desire to live among earthly mortals angering Zeus, his Father.