Hercules
The man. The myth. The movie.
Overview
Bestowed with superhuman strength, a young mortal named Hercules sets out to prove himself a hero in the eyes of his father, the great god Zeus. Along with his friends Pegasus, a flying horse, and Phil, a personal trainer, Hercules is tricked by the hilarious, hotheaded villain Hades, who's plotting to take over Mount Olympus!
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Hercules (1997) arrived during the Disney Renaissance, a period of exceptional animated films revitalizing the studio. The film blends Greek mythology with contemporary American humor and musical sensibilities, resulting in a unique and accessible interpretation of the Hercules legend. It was part of a broader trend of Disney reinterpreting classic stories for modern audiences.
- The vibrant animation style and energetic musical numbers create a visually and audibly engaging experience.
- Hades, voiced by James Woods, is a standout villain with witty dialogue and memorable delivery, making him a compelling antagonist.
- The film explores themes of self-discovery, heroism, and what it truly means to be a hero, going beyond just physical strength.
- The humor is sharp and appeals to both children and adults, making it a family-friendly film with lasting appeal.
Fun Facts
- Danny DeVito, who voiced Phil, was specifically cast due to his resemblance to the character as he was drawn in the storyboard.
- The Muses are designed to resemble the Supremes, reflecting their role as a Motown-inspired Greek chorus.
- The animators used rotoscoping for certain scenes, filming live-action reference footage to help create realistic character movements.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"The man. The myth. The movie."
suomi
FI
Title: Herkules
""
Português
PT
Title: Hércules
"De Zero a Herói"
Italiano
IT
Title:
""
Bokmål
NO
Title:
""
Türkçe
TR
Title: Herkül
""
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
The definition of a meh film, at least for me.
'Hercules' doesn't stick a connection, I felt very unfulfilled throughout. I have little negatives, yet there isn't much the other way either. I like the cast, but that's honestly about it.
James Woods, Danny DeVito and Rip Torn all give noteworthy performances in the roles of Hades, Phil and Zeus. However, Tate Donovan as the titular character is forgettable, as is Roger Bart's voice when Hercules sings.
Bart isn't helped by the very average music, none of which is memorable to me. The plot is mild, one that is quite easy to predict and doesn't produce any thrilling moments. The animation is actually OK, satisfactory for sure.
I can see this is very well rated by others, which I respect. For me, though, it isn't any good.
Undoubtedly one of the better 1990s Disney films. The story and animation are very much centre stage with the music much less important - no big power ballads! It is a fun take on the Herculean mythology of ancient Greece. Beginning with a suitably grand opening narrative from Charlton Heston, no less, we learn that Hades is desperate to avenge himself on Zeus - who tricked him into ruling the underworld after he and his brothers defeated the Titans. Meantime Zeus is celebrating the birth of a baby boy. Hades decides to strike back, but his augurs (the "Fates" but think more "Stygian witches") advise that this little boy - Hercules - is the fly in the ointment who must be neutralised if his grand design is to succeed. Hades tricks him firstly into mortality and then cons him out of his great strength - but will that be enough to defeat the determination of our hero? It is a bit of a slow starter; but once it gets into the swing there are some good performances from James Woods (superb as Hades), Rip Torn (Zeus) and Danny DeVito as the long-suffering demi-god trainer "Phil" that keep this fantasy adventure moving along nicely. Don't expect to see any of his twelve labours...
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
MUSIC (Original Song) - 1997
Alan Menken, David Zippel
Media
Trailer
Hercules - 1997 Theatrical Trailer #1 (35mm 4K)
Trailer
Hercules - Sneak Peek #3 (April 15, 1997)
Trailer
Hercules - Sneak Peek #2 (February 4, 1997)