Surprising feat: Dwayne Johnson’s strongman saga Hercules is no turkey

HERCULES: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is every bit the right fit for a lighter, brighter and swifter take on the legend in a film that refuses to take itself seriously.

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Dwayne Johnson as Hercules in a scene from "Hercules." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Kerry Brown)

THE first TEDS (Turkey Early Detection System) readings for Hercules were not all that promising.

The trailer was about as inviting as an appointment with a backyard dentist, and the releasing studio was too gun-shy to allow reviewing media an advance look-see.

What to watch: All the latest movie reviews from Leigh Paatsch

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Dwayne Johnson as Hercules in a scene from "Hercules." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Kerry Brown)

Well, as if to prove minor miracles can still happen — or at least, that minor cinematic car crashes can still be prevented — I can happily report Hercules is perfectly passable pulp entertainment.

Actually, it is even a smidgen better. Mostly because it backs off on all the preening pretentiousness of most modern men-in-tights-getting-in-fights movies. (Yeah, that means you, 300. And you as well, Clash Of the Titans.)

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows, from left, Aksel Hennie as Tydeus, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal as Atalanta, Dwayne Johnson as Hercules, Reece Ritchie as Iolaus, and Rufus Sewell as Autolycus in a scene from "Hercules." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Kerry Brown)

Instead, this oh-so-Hollywood incarnation of Hercules pointedly refuses to take itself seriously for more than 15 minutes in total. That is only because three rip-roaring battle sequences must be conducted with all participants maintaining straight faces.

Otherwise, the bulk of Hercules is spent in a state of amiable self-deprecation.

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Dwayne Johnson as Hercules in a scene from "Hercules." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Kerry Brown)

You wouldn’t quite call it a rebranding of all things Hercules, as much as it is a reduction of all the bits that modern moviegoers couldn’t care less about.

It does help this boisterous B-movie that the title role has been claimed by the one and only Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He’s every bit the right fit for a lighter, brighter and swifter take on the legend.

The Rock’s Herc is not really the son of the Zeus. Think of him more as an Ancient Greek Robin Hood — complete with an entourage of merry men.

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Dwayne Johnson as Hercules in a scene from "Hercules." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures)

While the leading man does get some of his thunder stolen by a predominantly British support cast (of which the great Ian McShane is the clear standout), it wouldn’t have bothered Johnson that much. He’s been in a stack of films where he has had no back-up whatsoever.

Hercules (M)

Director: Brett Ratner (Rush Hour)

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, John Hurt, Ingrid Bolso Berdal

Verdict: Three stars. Show of strength from a mything person

Originally published as Surprising feat: Dwayne Johnson’s strongman saga Hercules is no turkey