Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - Hercules and the Circle of Fire

This was a pretty good Hercules tv-movie. This adventure lacks the non stop action of the other tv-movies and seems to concentrate on the Hercules and Deianeira relationship. Acting is, of course, great; most notably Kevin Sorbo and Anthony Quinn. This is a must see.

In the third made for TV Hercules film, Hercules (Kevin Serbo) and Deianeira (Tawny Kitaen taking over for Renée O'Connor, who I guess was too busy with "Darkman II") go off on a quest for fire to save the world from cold. It was alright, but prone to over-sentimental bits and didn't have quite as much action as the previous two films, or the two that followed. However, following the mantra of any Hercules is good Hercules, I can't really saddle this with a bad score, even if it IS the worst of the five made for TV movies. Anthony Quinn as Zeus was one of the great parts of the film, in my opinion.

My Grade: C-

This is the third pilot TV movie that jump-started the "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" TV series, where Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) sets on a quest to retrieve Prometheus's torch in order to restore fire to the land, which has been stolen from the evil Hera over her hatred of mankind.

The plot of the movie goes at a fairly fast pace and, like the previous movie, Hercules travels with a woman which happens to be named Deianeira (Tawny Kitaen), but I am assuming it is a different character than the one with the same name played by Renee O'Connor in the previous movie. There is less action in this movie than the previous entry, but you still see Hercules fight a few bad guys here and there. There is also less emphasis on subplots; this story mainly focuses on Hercules' journey to find the torch with Deianeira, leaving few plot twists and a predictable outcome. However, you do see Zeus showcase his powers more than in the previous movies, blasting Hercules away with his hands, generating a windstorm and hurling lightening bolts at people. As the King of the Gods, it is great to see him demonstrate his mighty powers more.

The New Zealand countryside setting is refreshing, but I thought the costumes are less colorful and the buildings were pretty bland (Hera's temple looks like an unfinished wood factory). The music score by Joseph LoDuca is attractive and mysterious and the acting is pretty spot-on, with some good chemistry between Sorbo and Kitaen and a good dose of humor.

The movie does drag a little towards the middle, but other than that, this is a pretty fun TV movie.

Grade B-

All of the world's fires are going out. Who's responsible? If you said anybody but Hera, welcome to your first Hercules TV movie. The third of the five made-for-TV Hercules movies starring Kevin Sorbo that preceded the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys series. This one has Hercules and Deianeira (Tawny Kitaen) trying to restart the world's fire while lighting one of their own. This Deianeira is not the same one from the last movie, played by Renee O'Connor, although there are certainly similarities that suggest a connection. Both women stand up for the mistreated and both banter with Hercules. The difference is that with busty Kitaen there's an added sexual attraction with Sorbo's Hercules that was missing before. Personally I still prefer the ROC version, for a variety of reasons. Tawny's hot but she doesn't do feisty or spunky well.

The Hercules series, and these movies, were fun adventure stories. Very simple with few pretensions of being more. Nothing wrong with that. If you like to shut your mind off for awhile and just enjoy some good old-fashioned escapism, you should have a good time with this. The Prometheus stuff is pretty cool-looking and one of my favorite parts from any of these movies. Plus this one features Hercules vs Zeus...sort of.

While visiting his immortal friend Cheiron (Kevin Atkinson), who was accidentally wounded by Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) during a battle, all the fire in the village goes out. Hercules goes to the only place that still have fire, Hera's temple, and he learns that the evil goddess is behind the event. He stumbles with the village leader Deianeira (Tawny Kitaen), they head together to see the god of the fire Prometheus (Mark Ferguson) and they find him frozen. They learn that Hera has stolen his fire torch and if this fire goes out, mankind will be doomed to die. Zeus (Anthony Quinn) discloses to Hercules where Hera is, but advises him not to go since he may die. But Hercules proceeds his journey with Deianeira, and meets the girl Phaedra (Stephanie Barrett) in the woods, who gives wrong tips to them, delaying Hercules from his showdown with Hera.

"Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - The Circle of Fire" is another entertaining adventure of Hercules. The plot is full of action, supported by a great cast, special effects and charismatics characters. The gorgeous Tawny Kitaen, who recently left us, is the romantic pair of Kevin Sorbo and their chemistry is amazing. Anthony Quinn also steals the show, in the role of the most powerful god that fears his evil wife Hera and loves his mortal son. Looking forward to see the next Hercules films again that has not aged almost thirty years after its release. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Hércules e o Círculo de Fogo" ("Hercules and the Circle of Fire")