Hercules Discussion

[CampbellzSoup]

I don't understand why Hercules always gets the shaft when people mention classic Disney movies. Being born in 1986 I got to actually see most of the Disney classics in the movies for the first time. Hercules, even though I was a bit older, was just such a great movie.

Putting historical accuracies aside (even though they were all myths....and as such this is Disney's version of the myth) I don't see why people shun this movie. The songs are catchy, the characters full of life, and it just oozes Disney charm.

Hercules has heart, courage, and spirit. I actually (even though I hate to admit) swelled up at the end when Phil was tearing, and the crowd yells that's Phil's boy.

Such a great classic Disney film. What did you guys think about Hercules...I think it followed right in Disney spirit...right until after Tarzan .

I'm still holding out for a Blu Ray

[Rudy Matt]

I love Tarzan, despite the supposed comedy relief of the side characters Terk and Tantor (but then, isn't that the bane of all modern Disney films? The deeply unfunny and inappropriate mood-and-time-and-place- shattering comic supporting cast?)

As for Hercules, the problem with that film is pacing and tone. The entire first hour is LOUD and IN YOUR FACE -- its like a 15-second commercial for EXTREME MOUNTAIN DEW extended for 20-30 minutes. This becomes repellant to the audience, and we shirk away from the movie, instead of being invited into it. This was a case of a film trying to be hip and pandering to the modern market, instead of simply telling a story.

Having said that, the film has many fine elements -- including wonderful songs by Alan Menken and a top notch star vocal cast. The visual design is bold and intriguing, and the script has several moments of real wit.

The film simply lacked restraint and discipline and the result is an somewhat offensive, brash, and garish boor. This film is the "ugly American" of the Disney animated features. Some taste and restraint would have served the work in the long run.

[Flanger-Hanger]

I don't understand why Hercules always gets the shaft when people mention classic Disney movies. Being born in 1986 I got to actually see most of the Disney classics in the movies for the first time.

Really? You were born in 1986 and saw Snow White, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, Bambi, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Pollyanna, Swiss Family Robinson in their initial run? Can I borrow your Delorian one of these days?

Seriously, Hercules isn't a classic and that's why people don't dare compare it with the others. It might be amusing on it's own, but it's overlooked for a reason.

[CampbellzSoup]

Ut oh BUSTED I meant to put modern in there, but I guess you figured me out!

To each their own, but I personally think it falls in line with the classics...

[Disney's Divinity]

To each their own, but I personally think it falls in line with the classics...

I agree. Classic is such a subjective term, and its rather ridiculus to decide for everyone that it isn't one.

Hercules is easily my favorite Disney film after The Little Mermaid. Hades is one of Disney's most memorable villains, and Hercules & Megara are the only Disney couple I've ever liked. The soundtrack is also one of their best, imo. And I enjoy the style of this film far more than the jagged, hard-edged Hunchback, Pocahontas and Atlantis.

There's no denying that Hercules is formulaic (along with Pocahontas and many other films after it), but I personally think its comedic and satirical approach keeps it from failing where others, imo, did.

[rexcrk]

I actually (even though I hate to admit) swelled up at the end when Phil was tearing, and the crowd yells that's Phil's boy.

And I thought I was the only one

But yeah, Hercules is probably my 5th favorite Disney movie (after the "Fab 4": Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, and Little Mermaid). I like it so much more than Bambi, Snow White, etc. etc.

[singerguy04]

I was also born in '86, I remember thinking that Hercules was kind of a sell out by Disney. I really loved The Lion King, Pocahontas, and Hunchback and for me Herc came from another planet. The style and the switch to something that seemed more comical seemed un-disney to me.

Now, however, I LOVE this film. I can see the films design as a artistic choice and the music is some of my favorite from any Disney film. It is a funny film, but I wish it would've been toned down. The Lion King is comical but it isn't remembered that way.

[ajmrowland]

I'm one to consider Hercules a modern classic( "Modern" being the release date) but haven't seen it as much as previous movies, or ones released since.

[Simba3]

I'd really APPRECIATE a new DVD for this film already. Double disc preferably.

[pap64]

When I first saw this film on VHS in the spring of 1998 I was indifferent towards it. I liked it, but I kept comparing it to the fab four.

It wasn't till years later that I finally saw the film for what it was; a wacky, modern and even surreal look at Greek Mythology and ended up loving up. The music is fantastic and a very underrated part of the film. The muses can SING, and Susan Egan as Megara was fantastic.

Hades, of course, is a well written villain with a lot of dry wit and sarcasm, different from the other villains (which were either comedic or very gothic).

[Mooky]

I think that, in terms of story, "Hercules" is one of Disney's weaker '90s movies. It's like it aimed to be an even more comedic version of "Aladdin". In both movies you have a hero searching for his place in life and approval of his community (Aladdin/Hercules), you have a funny, yet menacing villain (Jafar/Hades), hero's funny mentor (Genie/Phil), hero's sidekick who's jealous of his love interest (Abu/Pegasus), and villain's bumbling sidekick(s) (Iago/Pan & Panic). The only thing different is the leading lady, which, unsurprisingly, turns out to be the best part of the movie (for me, anyways).

It's not a bad movie, far from it. It just doesn't know what to be: a serious drama or a hip comedy. It's all about finding the right balance of both: "Aladdin" pulled it off, "The Emperor's New Groove" pulled it off, "Hercules" didn't. If I had to compare it to another DAC it would probably be "Meet the Robinsons" which too suffers from the unbalanced humor.

The amount of humor depends on the story. You can't make a comedy out of "Superman"/"Rocky" type of story, you just can't.

That said, I still really like it. Sure, I'd like it more if it was a more straightforward retelling of the myth, and I'm fine with most of the changes (like Hera being his mother instead of Alcmene). Hades would have been better as a Lord Voldemort/Darth Vader-type of villain, but there's still a certain charm in the movie version of the character.

[Jack Skellington]

Hercules is one of my top 5 Disney movies, I would love nothing more than to own it on Bluray, but seeing that Disney is finally re-releasing The Black Cauldron on DVD only, then I'm pretty sure this is gonna take a hell of a lot of time.

[pap64]

I think that, in terms of story, "Hercules" is one of Disney's weaker '90s movies. It's like it aimed to be an even more comedic version of "Aladdin". In both movies you have a hero searching for his place in life and approval of his community (Aladdin/Hercules), you have a funny, yet menacing villain (Jafar/Hades), hero's funny mentor (Genie/Phil), hero's sidekick who's jealous of his love interest (Abu/Pegasus), and villain's bumbling sidekick(s) (Iago/Pan & Panic). The only thing different is the leading lady, which, unsurprisingly, turns out to be the best part of the movie (for me, anyways).

It's not a bad movie, far from it. It just doesn't know what to be: a serious drama or a hip comedy. It's all about finding the right balance of both: "Aladdin" pulled it off, "The Emperor's New Groove" pulled it off, "Hercules" didn't. If I had to compare it to another DAC it would probably be "Meet the Robinsons" which too suffers from the unbalanced humor.

The amount of humor depends on the story. You can't make a comedy out of "Superman"/"Rocky" type of story, you just can't.

That said, I still really like it. Sure, I'd like it more if it was a more straightforward retelling of the myth, and I'm fine with most of the changes (like Hera being his mother instead of Alcmene). Hades would have been better as a Lord Voldemort/Darth Vader-type of villain, but there's still a certain charm in the movie version of the character.

I actually agree with all of this. The story is certainly weak. In fact, when I first saw it I was turned off by the fact that the story isn't as captivating as in Aladdin or Little Mermaid.

But its the music, the design and the humor that makes it enjoyable for me.

[Dr.Mirakle32]

This and Aladdin are my two most wanted BDs (though moreso with Aladdin.)

I loved Hercules as a kid, but recently rewatching it somewhat dissapointed me. Artistically, it looks great; most of the songs are catchy and memorable, and James Woods is fantastic and by far the best thing about the movie; but it's like Disney wanted to make a Superman musical but was too cheap or lazy to pay Warner Bros, so they took the idea of Hercules from the then popular TV series, and loose elements of mythology and did their own thing with it (which is really what Disney does with any traditional stories or fables.)

It also doesn't have the charm or re-watchability of the original Aladdin (the yardstick by witch I rate all Disney films,) and story-wise is only slightly better than Al's DTV sequels.

Overall, it's still fun, and I want it on BD for nostalgic reasons (though it would be cool to have a Hercules/Aladdin BD box set with "Hercules and the Arabian Night" bonus episode!)

[leuchtmuschel]

“Hercules” is a good film. It is not “a perfect classic”, but its own art is impressive.

Because the original art of Gerald Scarfe is too complicate to animate the artists create a special “neo-greco-Disney-Scarfian-style” used in this film.

If you make a search in the web you have the possibility to look on concept art Gerald Scarfe has had made for Hercules.

I hope that Disney will make a Blu-ray Collector’s edition of “Hercules” in the future. I have seen on TV a documentation of the influence Gerald Scarfe has had on production of “Hercules”. I will see this video on disc. On the supplement disc there should be a virtual exhibition of the Art from Gerald Scarfe. And most important: I will see a virtual exhibition and a video about all merchandise stuff that has been come along with “Hercules” to the public audience!

[Trumpet Joe]

I think that, in terms of story, "Hercules" is one of Disney's weaker '90s movies. It's like it aimed to be an even more comedic version of "Aladdin". In both movies you have a hero searching for his place in life and approval of his community (Aladdin/Hercules), you have a funny, yet menacing villain (Jafar/Hades), hero's funny mentor (Genie/Phil), hero's sidekick who's jealous of his love interest (Abu/Pegasus), and villain's bumbling sidekick(s) (Iago/Pan & Panic). The only thing different is the leading lady, which, unsurprisingly, turns out to be the best part of the movie (for me, anyways).

In Aladdin, it seems to me like Jasmine got more of a rise out of the Carpet than Abu.

I love "Hercules". The only thing I think was weak about it was the decision to replace "I Can't Believe My Heart" (IMHO, a much more effective song for that moment) with "I Won't Say". "I Won't Say" works, but the inclusion of the Muses ruin it for me. They sing three other songs in the film (not counting the "Gospel Truth" reprises), which raises them to star status. Also, the fact that they're backing Meg up makes the audience lazy. They should be able to form their own opinion about what Meg's really feeling, and with the Muses doing it, it's like "Why am I even watching this"?

[ToyStoryFan]

I LOVE Hercules. Dare I say it... it's probably either my favorite or second most favorite DCOM. I totally disagree with everybody saying the story is weak... it has a fantastic story and a heartwarming message about finding your place in the world and how fame and fortune don't make you better, but your character and actions do instead.

I could defend this film until the end of time! I love every single second of it. And Go The Distance is for sure within the Top 5 best Disney songs ever IMO.

[Simba3]

I think that, in terms of story, "Hercules" is one of Disney's weaker '90s movies. It's like it aimed to be an even more comedic version of "Aladdin". In both movies you have a hero searching for his place in life and approval of his community (Aladdin/Hercules), you have a funny, yet menacing villain (Jafar/Hades), hero's funny mentor (Genie/Phil), hero's sidekick who's jealous of his love interest (Abu/Pegasus), and villain's bumbling sidekick(s) (Iago/Pan & Panic). The only thing different is the leading lady, which, unsurprisingly, turns out to be the best part of the movie (for me, anyways).

I see your point, and I agree to some extent. I would agree that "Hercules" is one of the weaker films of the 90's, but its mostly due to impressively stiff competition. The story line in "Hercules" isn't Disney's best. However, this is still a great film and certainly deserves a good double disc release.

[Goliath]

"I Won't Say" works, but the inclusion of the Muses ruin it for me. They sing three other songs in the film (not counting the "Gospel Truth" reprises), which raises them to star status. Also, the fact that they're backing Meg up makes the audience lazy. They should be able to form their own opinion about what Meg's really feeling, and with the Muses doing it, it's like "Why am I even watching this"?

It's funny that this is the one thing in which Disney stayed true to the way mythical stories were performed in theaters in ancient Greece, where the Muses would tell to the audience what the hero was thinking.

Putting historical accuracies aside (even though they were all myths....and as such this is Disney's version of the myth) I don't see why people shun this movie.

I have always had very little patience with people who write off Hercules because of so-called "historical inaccuracies". It's based on ancient Greek myths, so how "accurate" do people think those were? Was there really a mighty thunder-god like Zeus who slept around with human women?

Then people complain: "well, it doesn't follow the original myths". Which is a silly argument, because first of all, there are very few 'original' myths. The most myths we know of today come from later Roman writers and poets who have written down in literary form the ancient Greek myths, which were passed orally. Second, myths differed greatly from town to town, so you can see the Disney-version as just another variation.

But seriously, anybody who raises such incredibly dumb objections hasn't figured out what a 'parody' is. Disney is parodying many modern phenomena, using the ancient Greece culture only as a backdrop.

Personally, I like Hercules. Not by far the best of the 1990's films, but definitly better than The Lion King. I seriously disagree with Rudy Matt, who said the film should have been more restraint. It is exactly the tone and the pace that make it such a good film. Had it been more restrained, the clever humor wouldn't have come off half as good.

One last thought: I love Megara! The first woman in a Disney-film who is really different from all the others. She's sarcastic, unimpressed by the male hero, wants to do things her way. Characters like Belle and Jasmine don't even come close to Meg.

[Avaitor]

Personally, Hercules is my least favorite of all the DAC's I've seen, although I'll be the first to admit that I've been ignoring the recent stuff like Home on the Range and Chicken Little for the time being, so my opinion is likely to change.

Even then, nothing about it seems to click for me. All of the characters come out flat and forgettable, with even Hades coming out as an uninteresting villain. As a tongue-in-cheek Disney story, it also fails for me, especially in comparison to Emperor's New Groove and Aladdin, which I consider to of done that better. Hercules' humor just missed the mark for me every chance they tried to make a joke. Even the music I found grating and forgettable.

I tried to get into the movie, but I never liked it, not as a kid, or now.