EXTREMELY inaccurate, but a fine piece of artwork from Scarfe.

Rating: Null/10 (1 June 2001)

I heard about the making of this movie while vacationing in Scotland and when I found out that Gerald Scarfe, one of my favourite modern artists, was the production designer, I literally flipped. Ever since seeing "The Wall" several years ago, I was convinced that Scarfe needed his own animated movie to design or make.
Years later, it's a Disney film and I was irate, maybe even a bit confused. I was so afraid that it was going to be a waste of his talent. Thank the gods I was wrong.
One thing I've been seeing over and over again in the reviews, other than the poor retelling of the Heracles myth which I agree with, are people either loving or hating the design. Olympus is too bright and colourful, Hades is too dark and scary, or what have you. I will admit that the combination of Scarfe and Disney to be a most unusual one, but it does work on many levels. When Walt was still alive, he experimented with different styles of animation, and apart from the music and the inaccuracy of the storyline, I believe he would have been impressed with this piece of work. One thing I adore about the design is that Scarfe's style is not downplayed. For those familiar with "The Wall", they already know how disturbing his work can be. I even saw bits of "The Wall" incorporated into "Hercules", from Hades eating worms, a constant theme in "The Wall" album, to shadowplay of the hydra approaching Herc that reminded me of Pink being confronted by his wife who becomes a monster. Although I'm Wiccan, the comical look of the gods and goddesses didn't strike me as insulting in the least, as one reviewer suggested. If you forget the story and music (verse, oy) to look at this film as a piece of moving art, you'll do yourself great justice.
And to the parents upset about Scarfe's dark and scary design, here's a thought for you: at least they didn't decide on Ralph Steadman.