Very enjoyable entry in the Disney animation canon.

Rating: 9/10 (2 June 2019)

Hercules went through many iterations before finally landing on the big screen in 1997: Kevin Spacey was originally considered to voice Hades and the project almost came to being an adaptation of Homer's Odyssey, but was promptly cancelled after that story was deemed too weak for an animated comedy and so Hercules was chosen when that pitch fell through.
This is a very entertaining film that's self aware of when it was made (during the 90s) and its liberties with the source material are perfectly natural choices for the story and happy-go-lucky direction it takes. Sure some of the choices haven't aged well (Disney's in-joke about merchandising and franchising is used in the film at points) but the animation is gorgeous and still very sharp in its distinction from the rest of the Disney movies at the time. I know there were critics who took issue with this aspect of the film at the time, but come on guys: it could've been those Beatles cartoons from the 60s for Pete's sake; or jeez, it could have been one of those straight-to-dvd knock-off films made to 'cash in' on Disney releases that were popular back then.
Hercules is energetic, fast-paced and vibrant fun for film-goers everywhere. I say give this movie a go if you somehow missed out on seeing it in the 90s: be it at the movies or repeat-viewings on VHS tapes.