Review 213: Hercules
Hercules is not Disney's best animated offering, but colourful animation, appealing characters and irresistible sense of fun make it great entertainment for the whole family.
Inspired by the Greek Hero, Hercules, As a baby, Hercules, son of Zeus (Rip Torn), is snatched as a baby by Hades, Lord of the Underworld (James Woods) and is forced to live among mortals.
18 years later, Hercules (Tate Donovan) now a young man, seeks to prove himself a true hero on Earth to prove himself worthy of living with the gods on Mount Olympus.
With the help of his friend Pegasus, a flying horse and gruff but pluck satyr trainer Philotetes "Phil" (Danny DeVito), Hercules must learn that real strength comes his heart.
The plot is a wonderful spin on the classic Greek myth
Directors Ron Clements & John Musker's animation direction is spirited and lively, the animation is i the character design is imaginative, the score and songs by Alan Menken and David Zippel are Many of the songs don't fall into the traditional category of wanting something like in most Disney movies but instead, they're presented as "I will" namely "Go the Distance" a wonderfully uplifting track that conveys that Hercules is determined to go through his journey to prove himself as a true hero and help people.
18 years later, Hercules (Tate Donovan) now a young man, seeks to prove himself a true hero on Earth to prove himself worthy of living with the gods on Mount Olympus.
With the help of his friend Pegasus, a flying horse and gruff but pluck satyr trainer Philotetes "Phil" (Danny DeVito), Hercules must learn that real strength comes his heart.
The plot is a wonderful spin on the classic Greek myth
Directors Ron Clements & John Musker's animation direction is spirited and lively, the animation is i the character design is imaginative, the score and songs by Alan Menken and David Zippel are Many of the songs don't fall into the traditional category of wanting something like in most Disney movies but instead, they're presented as "I will" namely "Go the Distance" a wonderfully uplifting track that conveys that Hercules is determined to go through his journey to prove himself as a true hero and help people.
Hercules Kidnapped as a baby and raised by human parents. Even though he's stripped of his godhood, he maintains his godlike strength. We see him struggle as a teenager with such tremendous power, like when hs causes a market place to collapse and then getting beratted by the public and him being conflicted abut doing the right thing while all he does is cause chaos around him. Herc feels like he doesn't belong around the people and his parents When Zeus presents him with restoring his godhood by becoming a true hero, Herc accepts this challenge because he knows that he was meant for something greater: The mark of true hero who believes he can go the distance no matter what. Herc is just a kind and compassionate human being, always looking for the good in other people
Susan Egan Meg has had her back turned by others in the past.
Bobcat Goldthwait and Matt Frewer
The stars however are easily, Danny DeVito and James Woods as Philotetes and Hades respectively, they are easily the MVPs among the voice cast and positively steal every scene they are in.
Philotetes or "Phil" as he's reffered to throughout the film is the trainer of heroes and has trained many of them in the past. He bitterly rejects Hercules, at first, because of the many failures in the past but is then persuaded by Zeus himself Herc litterly represents "One Last Hope" for Phil and he gives him a bit of hope again.
Meanwhile, James Woods as Hades makes for a simply spectacularly superb villain
4/5.
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