Also, Ratner’s exaggerated swagger was starting to feel dated by his last movie, 2011’s “Tower Heist.” And besides, Renny Harlin already gave us “The Legend of Hercules” earlier this year.

"Hercules" is a special-effects filled action film much more than it is a lesson in mythology. The classic story is there, along with character names that are too hard to pronounce or remember.

HERCULES” is the latest hit Disney movie. Rated G, it’s packing in the kids. It’s full of family values but not of fidelity. It falsifies the myth almost beyond recognition. The name ...