In 20 years this film will seem 40 years old.

Rating: Null/10 (14 October 1999)

Technically, and given the financial constraints of modern animation, this is a good movie. Of course the Disney people fiddled with the story line and the character names, but name me the last Disney film that stayed "true" to its origins.
Production values were up to Disney standards (which means a lot), and the story is guaranteed not to offend anyone's sense of PC. You can feel safe tossing this into the VCR and plunking the kids in front of it for a hour or so. They'll enjoy it, even if they miss a lot of the "adult"-level humor.
My biggest gripe is with the topical references. Sure, we get the humor of "Air Herc" sandals and the other merchandising tie-ins ("Herculade" and the action figures) NOW, but what happens ten years down the line? I mean, Michael Jordan is already retired; will there even BE "Air Jordans" then? The same goes for the cynical "Hades" character. This kind of humor is trendy and hip NOW, but I'm afraid it just hasn't got the legs to "go the distance".
And that's the problem with films that depend on references to current events, stars, situations, or product placement. They come off looking like a polyester leisure suit -- great in its day, but ridiculous if not downright incomprehensible after the fad has passed. As proof, check out the "Rocky and Bullwinkle" video tapes. Unless you were there in the 60s, a lot of the inside jokes (like the "Kirwood Derby") are missed. And how about the "PanAm" logo on the spacecraft in "2001"?
My rating? Two stars out of five, for now; and probably dropping to 1-and-a-half within five years.