Hercules
Tags: good versus evil, romantic

Plot synopsis:
Based on both the legend of Hercules and Heracles.On Mt Olympus, Zeus and his wife are celebrating the birth of their son, Hercules. The Lord of the Underworld, Hades, is also invited, though is not at all pleased with the birth of Hercules.Returning to the Underworld, Hades meets up with the 3 Fates, who tell Hades that in 18 years, when the planets align, if he unleashes the Titans (who were imprisoned by Zeus), he will defeat Zeus and rule over all. However, there is a possibility that Hercules could stop him.Hades assigns his minions, Pain and Panic, to turn hercules mortal, and kill him. Armed with a potion, the two kidnap Hercules, and take him to Earth. Hercules drinks almost every drop except one, when a childless couple disturbs the two minions' plan. The two decide to tell Hades that they killed Hercules, but figure leaving him on Earth as a mortal will keep him from interfering in Hades' eventual plot.As Hercules is almost completely mortal, he cannot return to Mt Olympus. However, the childless couple have taken him in, and raise him as their own. However, not being completely mortal, Hercules is ostracized from the rest of society by his immense strength. As he approaches his teenage years, his father tells of how they found him, with a medallion bearing the symbol of the gods.Hercules sets off for the Temple of Zeus to find answers. Once inside the temple, the enormous statue of Zeus comes to life, first scaring Hercules, but then explaining how he is the young boy's father. Zeus then explains that if Hercules can become a True Hero, he'll be able to return to My Olympus and rejoin them. Zeus then provides Hercules with a winged horse named Pegasus, and sends them off to find Philoctetes.Hercules and Pegasus find Philoctetes (who is nicknamed 'Phil') on a deserted island. Having become a grouchy, old satyr, Phil is at first reluctant, but finally relents. After an intense period of training, Hercules grows from a scrawny teenager to a buff young man. At Hercules' insistence to try what he has learned, Phil, Hercules and Pegasus head for the city of Thebes, which is plagued by a number of disasters and problems.On the way there, they are sidetracked by Meg, who appears to be menaced by a centaur. Hercules grows somewhat enchanted with her, before Phil gets them back on track to Thebes. After they leave, Meg meets with Hades, and his assistants, Pain and Panic. Meg was actually trying to get the centaur to side with Hades, but claims Hercules spoiled her plans. Upon hearing this, Hades angrily grabs his assistants, realizing they have lied to him. Pain and Panic manage to convince Hades that since Hercules is mortal, they can still kill him.In Thebes, Hercules tries to convince the citizens that he is a hero, but noone is willing to believe him. Suddenly, Meg appears, and tells of two small boys trapped under a rock in a nearby canyon. Hercules saves the little boys (actually Pain and Panic in disguise), but then has to contend with the 3-headed beast called the Hydra. After finding out that cutting off one head produces 3 more, Hercules ends up crushing the beast with a rock slide. The defeat of the Hydra causes the citizens of Thebes to acknowledge Hercules as a hero, and further anger Hades.Hades continues to send beasts and creature against Hercules, but each and everyone is defeated, further making Hercules a hero in the eyes of the citizens. Statues and merchandise are soon rampant with Hercules' face, and Hercules thinks that his fame will allow him to return to Mt Olympus. However, upon visiting the Temple of Zeus again, Zeus explains to Hercules that fame does not equal heroism. When Hercules asks to know what he can do, Zeus refuses to explain further.Back in Thebes, the conversation has upset Hercules, who wonders if he even has what it takes to be a hero. While in his home, Meg appears, and gets Hercules to come with her for an evening rendezvous. However, Meg's intentions are to secretly find Hercules' weakness, but as the night goes on, she begins to find him charming. The mood is broken when Phil and Pegasus show up to take Hercules home. During the flight away, Phil ends up getting hit by a tree, and falls off Pegasus. When he comes to, he sees Meg talking to Hades, with their conversation sounding as if Meg has been two-timing Hercules. In truth, Meg refuses to go along with Hades plan, claiming that Hercules has no weakness...which leads Hades to believe that she IS that weakness.Back at Thebes Stadium, Phil tries to convince Hercules of what he saw, but Hercules angrily hits Phil. Phil, hurt by his protege's backlash, gets up and leaves. Once Phil is gone, Hades appears, and offers Hercules an ultimatum: if Hercules gives up his powers for 24 hours, Hades will allow Meg to go free, with the provision that the deal will be voided if any harm comes to her. Hercules goes through with the deal, only to have Hades then tell Hercules how Meg was working for him. Now drained of his strength, Hercules can only watch as Hades lets loose the Titans that Zeus had imprisoned years earlier.Hades sends a giant cyclops to Thebes to destroy the City. Even though Hercules is drained of his strength, he still tries to stop the creature. Fearing that he'll be killed, Meg and Pegasus find Phil, who they convince to return and help his student. With Phil's help and some ingenuity, Hercules ends up blinding and finishing off the cyclops, but in the process, Meg is gravely injured.Her injury causes Hades' deal to expire, and Hercules receives his strength back. With Phil watching over Meg, Hercules and Pegasus fly to Mt Olympus, where the Titans have all but over-powered Zeus and the other gods. Hercules helps turn the tide of battle, and ends up taking care of the Titans, and Hades angrily retreats to the Underworld.When Hercules returns to Thebes, Phil reveals that Meg has died. Upset by this, Hercues descends into the Underworld to get her back. Hercules makes a deal with Hades, that he will take Meg's place if he rescues her from the River of Death. Hades accepts the deal, sure that Hercules will die before he can save her.It seems Hercules will die, but upon reaching Meg, he suddenly begins to glow yellow, having achieved god status by risking his life to save her. Hercules manages to get Meg out of the River of Death, much to Hades ranting and protestations, several of which cause Hercules to send him flying into the river, where the dead attempt to drown him.Hercules, Pegasus, Phil and Meg then fly to Mt Olympus where the gods are waiting to welcome Hercules back, now that he has become a 'True Hero.' However, Hercules chooses to stay on Earth, but still be able to visit his family.The film ends as one of the gods creates a constellation in the sky of Hercules, making Phil swell with pride that he was able to train a legend and a god.

Review: The 'You wanna buy a sundial?' sequence renders me unable to breathe for laughter, whilst when i was younger it got not so much as a giggle.As with all Disney films, the jokes are for the 'big kids' and the entertainment value is for the little ones.This film has been criticized for not staying true to Greek Mythology.
The set-up and plot is typical for the movie but the script, animation, and music are most original AND good.
However I can watch this movie again and again, it has a spectacular Greek chorus, gospel type score, which will ring in your head for days (and you will like it!).
The animation is more like the "old-school" Disney, before the cute, big-eye syndrome and the characters are hugely entertaining.
With a razor-sharp wit, perfect comic timing and a fresh plot that transcends most other Disney fairy tales, this one's definitely a keeper.You'll be enchanted right from the first number, in which the five Muses (from Greek mythology) set the stage of ancient Greece in a powerhouse gospel number which gives a whole new meaning to a Greek chorus.
Recalling the three ladies in Little Shop of Horrors or Motown groups like the Supremes, the Muses appear randomly throughout the movie to narrate the story of Hercules with jazzy musical numbers that you'll be humming for days.
The writing is the wittiest in any Disney movie ever, with constant in-jokes and hilarious references to Greek mythology to reward the amateur scholar.
I don't usually like villains, even in Disney movies, because they're too scary, but I loved James Woods as Hades.
But the characters are interesting, and Disney used some of them to create a good story for kids about an outcast looking for his place in life.
I think that Susan Egan did Meg's voice perfectly.Honestly I just want to say that this movie is great for both adults and children and the songs are unforgettable.If you haven't seen go to the video shop and rent it!
I went to the theater expecting another below-par Disney film (like Pocahontas and Hunchback), but it turned out to be the most funny and enjoyable one since Aladdin (The Lion King was good, but there's just no contest between Timon & Pumbaa and the Genie )!
Today to my 23 years I saw this movie with very low expectation since as a kid Disney did not steal my heart and I have to say that I love it.
No, it's not accurate to the original Greek myth of Heracles, but that isn't what keeps this film from being much good.Hercules (1997) is a part of the second half of the oft-praised Disney Renaissance, a second golden age which ran from the release of The Little Mermaid in 1989 roughly until the release of Tarzan in 1999.
Just a few ways in which this movie was Christianized and had all of the punch taken out of the real story: for one, Hera is NOT Hercules' mother, she is the one trying to kill him.
It may just be their funniest yet.The movie is a twist on the tales of Greek Mythology, namely the story of the title character (voiced by Tate Donovan), who happens to be the son of the great god Zeus (voiced by Rip Torn) who is robbed of his godly powers and turned mortal...
Aiding as his mentor is a tough-mouthed satyr named Phil (voiced by Danny DeVito) and his magical bird-brained Pegasus, while also tempted by a lovely maiden named Meg (voiced by Susan Egan), short for Megara, who may just have a weakness for his "Wonder Boy"'s charms.The magic of Disney's timeless animation is still stirring and imaginative, but the voice cast have never been more appropriate.
It is very insulting to Christianize Greek mythology, and if you don't know what I mean, think about why gospel singers constantly appear throught the film & why Hercules & Meg appear in Disney Christmas ads.
This is one messy film and I don't think its good points are enough to redeem it.In a similar vein to Superman, Hercules is born to the Greek God Zeus on Mount Olympus and he happens to fall to Earth when a plan by Hades to dispose of him goes wrong.
It feels like they were trying to capture the tone of Aladdin, but missed the fact that that film had engaging characters and much better jokes.
Of course, it was only a matter of time before Disney decided to take one of the Greek or Roman myths, tone down the seriousness, create a happier ending, and turn it into an animated feature for children.
Although I felt the serpent needed better-looking heads, the scene were pretty exciting and cool to watch.Bottom line, "Hercules" will appeal to most audience viewers who like Disney movies.
James Wood's Hades is one of the best performances in any Disney film since Robin Williams as the genie in Aladdin and Robby Benson as the Beast in Beauty & The Beast.
Despite all this, many modern Disney movies are still quite good and have strong stories.
And are there really that many Greek God purists out there?Hercules is a fun kid movie, with enough sly humor, in-jokes and adult-ish plot developments to keep the parents interested.
I'd rather have heard the characters sing (and shouldn't Hades have got a number?), then hear the (literal) Greek Chorus chipping in from time to time.Generally, though, it's an enjoyable flick, somewhat of a return to form for Disney after Pocahontas and Hunchback..
If you really want to spend your free time with your family enjoying great movie, you should choose "Hercules" - a Comedy of Epic Proportions..
Many adults LIKED the movie but the Disney machine needs to be mindful that pleasing the KIDS is where the money is.
The rest of the movie was passable but the music made my wife and I both shudder because it was so awful.If you're looking for a movie you can watch with your kids, look elsewhere.Since I need 10 lines of text I'll go on to point out that: * Danny DeVito should NEVER be allowed to sing again * the lyrics are just plain pathetic and generic * James Woods is the only likable character and he's the antagonist * my son didn't even like itBasically, any sane adult will want to pull their hair out if they're forced to watch this all the way through.I am having trouble washing the stink of that movie off of me, it was that bad..
I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology, so even though I really liked this movie, I couldn't stop knit-picking all the little details that Disney screwed up.
Zeus even tried to persuade him not to do it.6) Hercules never rode Pegasus; that's a totally different legend.OK, I'll admit that I'm anal-retentive about the facts, but honestly, I really did like the movie.
James Woods was hilarious as Hades (I couldn't stop laughing, he obviously had a lot of fun doing his lines), and Megara has got to be my favorite Disney heroine ever.
Lackluster Disney movie that tells the story of Hercules.
I think that no one wants to admit that this is a good movie because of it's unseriousness, and because of the fact that Hercules here is depicted more as a super-hero rather then a classic mythical hero.Don't listen to those who curse the movie because it doesn't stick to original myths.
Hades is also a great villain (thanks to James Woods), and I also liked his two stooges ("Thirsty?" -best scene).The movie's downfall was the music.
The only song I liked was Meg's "I won't say I'm in love".And to wrap it up - one of Disney's different projects, but fun nonetheless.
Hercules, sounds like it would make a great idea for an animated adventure, its got everything, from adventure for the guys, to a love story for the girls, to monsters and magical gods for children, and adults , so how is it that Disney messed this one up?I don't have the answer, and I've never ran into anybody that does, part of the problem may lie in that Disney decided to mix up the Hercules' story we remember from high school, and instead give us a family friendly version (but hey this is Disney what did you expect)?
Tate Donovan is sub-par as Hercules, but Danny Devito and James Woods are excellent as Philoctetes and Hades, and Rip Torn is pretty funny as Zues.Now don't get me wrong, Hercules is not Disney's worst movie of all time, it just that with the studio's huge resurgence in the 1990's, with the likes of Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, the Lion King, hunchback of Notre Dame etc...
It didn't even appear like much effort was put into it, but to just make another animated Disney movie.
This is Disney's 35th full-length animated film, a story about Hercules, son of Zeus, who was turned into a half-god, half-mortal by the evil Hades, who plans to overthrow Zeus.
Hercules must become a hero if he is to return to Mt. Olympus and, along the way, his friend Pegasus and his personal trainer, Phil the satyr, try to help him.Like most Disney movies, the animation is vibrant.
There is no suspense built-up and I thought the film was trying to be just one, huge laugh-fest, but resulted in overzealous characters with poor slapstick comedy and jokes.I know this is a cartoon movie but, in earlier Disney films, especially ones given Walt's personal touch, the filmmakers at least gave the movies realistic and believable treatment.
To top if off, the music was unremarkable; songs had no substance.Overall, if you're looking for a Disney movie to watch with the kids or to just pass the time, watch for ones prior to Aladdin, especially those made before 1980.Grade D-.
Completely unmemorable animated film from the Disney studios, one of the several audiences had to make do with until Pixar came along and revitalized the art form.It's not as dull as the previous year's "Hunchback of Notre Dame," but it sure as hell ain't no "Beauty and the Beast." Since there seems to be some rule on file that every single Disney movie ever made must have one of its songs nominated for an Oscar, the Academy nominated Michael Bolton's ballad "Go the Distance," but it's the title song, with the line "Who put the 'glad' back in gladiator?" that I remember most.Grade: B-.
This a kind of wannabe A-list Disney movie with it's attempts at songs, sidekicks and silly romances but it just doesn't quite hit the mark despite James Woods doing a good job with the Hades role.
The jokes in it, my 3 year old doesn't get yet ("Somebody call IXII!" or Hercules saying that "I'm an action figure!" in an obvious attempt to make fun of the Disney Store), but he loves the action and the songs.
The action is one of them.What makes "Hecules" a 'not so great' Disney movie is the story.
Bland animation, bad music (the Muses need to shut up - oh yeah, and that song "I Won't Say" - oh God I think I need a vomit bag!), and, aside from James Woods, ho-hum voice acting.
I m a huge Disney fan but this time they messed up.Greek mythology combined with the american kitsch.Still the music is good..
From the animation style to Alan Menken's (as always) amazing songs to the best Disney villain (eat your heart out Ursula), this is the first movie I'm showing my kids..
It has some groundbreaking animation (for its time), absolutely lovable characters, hilarious tie-ins with other movies, and great hidden meanings and wisecracks.First of all, I would like to say that Pegasus is a rare character, one of the best ever designed by Disney.
Though first he must fight off baddies such as big, tough centaurs, the dangerous Hydra (despite my 17 and three quarter years, he still absolutely petrifies me), the titans who were imprisoned for years, this movie's villain Hades and his henchmen Pain and Panic and even the girl he loves Meg, a devious young lady who has been forced for a long time to work for Hades, Hercules's enemy and, with this woman, it looks as if Herc's VERY hot-tempered trainer Phil has got a rival.
In other words, if you hated it the first time (like I did), give Disney's "Hercules" another chance now that you're not expecting so much of it.Though I'm STILL not forgiving them for the way they mangled mythology.
Oh were do i start this movie is pure excellence it is on my list of Walt Disney's most greatest achievements nr.7.There's just something about Greek mythology that's just intriguing and Disney did a great job in telling the story.The music is phenomenal and another Disney animated musical that works.This movie is flawless nothing bad i can say about it.My favorite songs in the movie is *zero to hero *go the distance *say your in loveThis is a movie of Disney that you have to see no excusesSo if you haven't seen it yet do it NOW..
Of course, Disney continues to make fantastic movies, like Frozen and Inside Out, but Hercules is a classic animation that every kid should watch and i am sure that they will enjoy it!
As for the soundtrack (which is really an important part of Disney productions), I have to say that it's not the best one I know: if you take other movies, such as "Aladdin" or "The Lion King" you will find better songs.
I also still like the characters, especially Meg and Phil and Hades is funny and I like funny baddies in Disney films.
The lessons are generally the power of love, friendship, self-sacrifice, hard work, etc.Now, the problem with Disney's Hercules is not that it does not do this effectively; in fact, it has the usual menu of good animation, good songs, morally aligned characters, etc.
It's full of the ingredients to make a perfect Disney movie: Comedy (thank you, James Woods/The Muses), a brilliant role model for young girls (Megara), and catchy songs, which you know already.
The scene where Pain and Panic are getting a lot of Hercules merchandise is really funny.Overall, this could've been a movie good enough to be considered one of Disney's best.
We were at the point where we were picking up the more obscure Disney flicks from the 90's, like HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and TARZAN (which we have found for dirt cheap!) I remembered seeing this back when it first came out in 97, and remember feeling like it was more of a boy movie, but for the price i figured "eh, if she even watches it once we got our money's worth out of it."My daughter had worn the DVDs for "SLEEPING BEAUTY" and "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST" right out, but neither of them compare to how much she loves "HERCULES"!
I know a lot of people feel like Meg is a side character who doesn't really connect with most young girls, but my daughter looks at her as the absolute best Disney Princess of them all.I also have to say that "I won't say I'm in Love" has gotta be near the top of the list of the most under-appreciated, underrated Disney songs.
For some people when people think of the best Disney animated movies they generally over look Hercules.
I find this odd because Hercules is without a doubt in my mind one of the best animated movies Disney has ever made.
From the characters, to the songs, the animation and just everything about this movie is good.Hercules is not accurate to Mythology, but then again how many Disney movies are accurate to their stories?
Pegasus (yes I know Hercules in mythology never rode Pegasus) is a good horse character though a lot of Disney movies have horse side characters.
He seems almost like a lawyer at times in just how well he phrases things and how well he plans.Overall Hercules is a much better Disney movie than the average animated movie because it actually focuses on action, unique characters, a beautiful art style, and a good soundtrack.
Hercules himself, both child and adult, is a little bland, but Meg manages to establish herself as one of the best female Disney characters.
Not because it's impossible (it's not), but because it makes "Hercules" look a lot worse than it probably deserves.When it comes to adapting material for children's movies (especially the animated ones), Disney has always been known to change some of the darker aspects of the original story to make it more kid-friendly.
But Disney reworked the whole story, making only passing mentions at the original myth (similar to the fairy tale references to fairy tales in the "Shrek" movies).Hades (James Woods) is pretty peeved at Zeus (Rip Torn) that he was assigned to govern the underworld.
Although loosely based on Greek mythology (in which Hercules is Zeus' illegitimate son with a human, which obviously had to be surgically removed), and while the story of Hercules 12 Tasks is far from respected, the Disney studios managed to deliver a funny and entertaining adaptation of the myth.Most importantly, songs and musical bits are really good, especially the opening sequence with Charlton Heston's voice and the muses, the duet Meg / the muses and guess what "Zero to Hero" sung by...
Anyways, this movie is one of the best Disney films out there.
I think this is one of the best Disney movies I've ever seen, even if the story is a bit...
Good Disney Movie, Definitely "based on characters from" mythology.
Even the songs are good, which doesn't happen too often.There are a lot of likable characters, such as Zeus, Phil, Hercules (obviously), and even Hades.
Hercules was definitely one of my favourite Disney movies..
This Disney film provides a good twist on the Hercules legend.