second tier Disney

Rating: 6/10 (2 September 2018)

After imprisoning the Titans, Zeus and Hera have their son Hercules. Zeus' brother Hades in the underworld plans to overthrow Zeus by freeing the Titans. However, he must stop Hercules before growing up and his fate to stop the release. He sends his evil minions Pain and Panic to steal baby Hercules and feed him a potion to make him mortal. The baby fails to drink every last drop and he's adopted by a kindly farmer couple. Hercules grows up to be a bumbling part-mortal trying to control his powers. After yet another accident, he is banished from his home. Along the way, he is befriended by Pegasus sent by Zeus and recruits trainer Phil. He is joined by femme fatale Meg who had actually sold her soul to Hades. With Pain and Panic, she sets Hercules to Hades' impossible labors.
This is second tier Disney animation. It is really a referential cartoon at heart. It tries very hard to be irreverent. I'm not sure about making young Hercules a bumbling teen. Setting him young does detract from any chemistry with Meg. He's a child while she's all woman. The movie mixes the origins of Superman with the classic Greek. Seeing how Superman steals from Hercules, it's par for the course. The only truly great character is Hades. He is deliciously evil. The songs are relatively forgettable. Despite being second tier, it is still very much Disney and has an overall competence.