Hercules – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Hercules

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2014

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

The Rock flexes through a forgettable, violence-heavy mythology movie that's neither fun enough for kids nor smart enough for adults.

6/10

58%

5.8

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Hercules

movie

PG-13, 2014

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

The Rock flexes through a forgettable, violence-heavy mythology movie that's neither fun enough for kids nor smart enough for adults.

58%

5.8

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6/10

58%

5.8

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the 2014 Hercules that tried to make Greek mythology 'realistic' and 'gritty' and ended up making it boring instead. The Rock does his best, but even his charm can't save a paint-by-numbers action script.

The 5.8 rating should be your warning sign—this is firmly in 'forgettable streaming filler' territory. It's too violent and intense for younger kids who'd enjoy the wonder of mythology, but too generic for older kids who want actual good action movies. The battle scenes are competent but relentless, and the film strips away the fantastical elements that make Hercules stories engaging in the first place.

If your kid wants mythology, show them Percy Jackson or even the 1997 Disney Hercules. If they want The Rock, literally any other Dwayne Johnson movie is more entertaining. This one's just... there. And in 2025, a mediocre 2014 action film has aged about as well as you'd expect.

Age Fit

Best for ages 12-15 who are into action movies and can handle PG-13 violence, though honestly they'd probably prefer better action films from the era. Younger kids will be scared; older teens will be bored.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Action-heavy storyline with a team of warriors fighting overwhelming odds suggests violence is central to the plot. Without a content rating, it's unclear how intense the combat is, but the 2014 Hercules (Dwayne Johnson version) is known for being darker and grittier than family-friendly adaptations. The mercenary angle and battle focus likely limits positive relationship modeling.

Imaginative

Greek mythology provides inherent imaginative framework, but this 2014 version takes a revisionist approach that strips away much of the fantastical elements in favor of grounded action. The TMDB rating of 5.8 suggests it's formulaic and uninspired. It's more a standard action movie wearing mythology as costume rather than exploring creative mythological storytelling.

Safe

Without an MPAA rating provided but knowing this is the 2014 Dwayne Johnson film (which was PG-13), expect significant battle violence, potential scary imagery, and intense action sequences. The premise of 'overwhelming odds' and warriors suggests sustained combat. Not appropriate for younger viewers without warning, and the darker tone makes it less predictably safe than typical family adventure films.

Enriching

The 5.8 TMDB rating signals a mediocre film that likely offers minimal meaningful takeaways. While Greek mythology can be enriching, this version reportedly focuses on spectacle over substance. Leadership themes may be present but are likely superficial. Entertainment value itself appears questionable based on the low rating—it's neither particularly enriching nor particularly entertaining.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Dwayne Johnson brings charisma even when the script doesn't deserve it
Could spark interest in Greek mythology (though you'd need better sources afterward)
Team dynamics and loyalty themes are present, if underdeveloped
Battle sequences have decent production value for what it's worth

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What to Watch For

Sustained battle violence and potentially scary imagery—this isn't Disney's Hercules
The 5.8 rating tells you everything: it's boring, and kids will likely check out
Strips away the magical, fantastical elements that make mythology engaging for younger viewers
At 98 minutes it somehow still feels long

Conversation Starters

"How is this Hercules different from other versions of the story you know?"
"What makes someone a hero—their strength or their choices?"
"Do you think the movie made the battles too realistic or not realistic enough?"
"Would you rather watch this or literally any other Dwayne Johnson movie?"

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