For the first installment of Disney As Adults, we are traveling through time and heading to ancient Greece to explore the tale of Hercules.
I decided to start with Hercules because other than when it was first released, I don't believe I've ever seen it. And other than the adorable baby Pegasus and anything I got from playing the Kingdom Hearts video game series, I didn't remember too much about the film.
A movie about a God who faces mortality and must go from "zero to hero" to regain access to Mt. Olympus (yeah, a lot like Thor) certainly seemed like it would be something interesting to start with. I was hoping for some action and fun and I was not disappointed. It didn't take long before the familiar Disney magic was felt reverberating through the music and characters.
Beginning with a narration by the incomparable Charlton Heston containing enough gravitas to set the tone for the rest of the film - it is soon switched on it's head as The Muses take over the storytelling with the upbeat and catchy Gospel Truth - the first of several musical numbers in the movie - and definitely a contender for one of the most fun.
While filling in the backstory of this Grecian tale, these Muses dance and sing and ensure it is anything but boring, something that was surely important to keep young children attentive.
Disney does quite well in adapting the tale for young kids, removing from play Zeus' adulterous affair and finding a more child-friendly way to introduce mortality to the title hero. However there are definitely moments in the film that would go over most children's heads, for instance - this gem pictured below.
I'm not saying that this is a bad quote; in fact - I love it. I can tell you, however that there is no way that I knew what narcissism was when I first viewed this movie at the age of nine, and I imagine that's par for the course for most kids. So what I actually find to be one of the best lines in the movie surely goes over the heads of the target audience, but that's not to say that adults can't enjoy it.
Early on we are introduced to Hades, the antagonist of the story (obviously). James Woods delivers an unforgettable performance voicing the hot-headed devil that it essentially carries the movie. In fact, it was a main point of praise by many reviewers upon the movie's initial release.
With his two obilgatory bumbling sidekicks at his side - Pain and Panic, he sets out to, you know, be evil and stuff. Unfortunately he's warned by The Fates that Hercules will stand in the way of his path to domination and so he, of course, tries to have his sidekicks kill the boy.
Speaking of the sidekicks for a moment, Pain and Panic represent just that - exactly what their names entail. The first is always hurting himself and the second can't relax to save his life. If he's alive... they are transforming worm demons that work for Hades, so I'm not really sure where that leaves them on the life/death spectrum. Either way, I'm not sure if I got their whole spiel on my first viewing of this film.
Naturally, baby Hercules survives the assassination attempt and goes on to be adopted by mortals, and obviously that only lasts so long before he breaks, well, everything.
The movie dates well, delivering laugh after laugh, but it isn't to say that all of the jokes managed to weather the time. As you can see, pictured above, some are just a bit cringe-worthy.
It's clear to Hercules that he doesn't fit in, hammered home as he sings the featured song Where I Belong which is another good one, hyping up the rest of the musical potential for the remainder of the movie.
It isn't long before our titular hero is joined by his childhood pal Pegasus and heading to meet his trainer, Philocretes, played by Danny Devito, if you can't tell from the image below.
Apart from an odd comment aimed towards the Forest Nymphs and his reaction upon meeting Meg, this character usually doesn't step over the line and is mostly just what you'd expect from a Danny Devito Satyr mentor. Plenty of laughs to be served up by the horned fool, that's for sure.
The action picks up quickly as Herc begins his quest saving his very first "damsel in distress" or rather, Meg, the obvious love interest for this story. Initially Meg's character is a little heavy handed when it comes to her independence, but she grows as her backstory is uncovered. In fact, her song I Won't Say I'm In Love is another fun one.
It's when Hercules arrives in Thebes that things become a little too real. The townspeople bear a striking resemblance to real life worriers. First, a man wearing only a trash can runs out screaming that "the end is coming." The next people talk about how they lost everything in the fire, except Snowball, their crispy cat. The fires hit the city after the earthquake, but before the flood. And they won't even get started on the crime rate.
It's likely that this is because of Hades plot, but these are real life problems that can take somebody out of the story if it hits too close to home. It's an odd scene to spend so much time on for a Disney film, but it sets up what's to come for the rest of the film, which continues to be fantastical and action-filled as it goes.
I want to point out something that stuck out to me - and that is an odd symmetry I see in the characters in this movie to the ones from Aladdin. Hercules is a dreamer like Aladdin, Meg and Jasmine are two of the more independent female protagonists in films, Phil and Genie are fun and funny mentors played by iconic comedians, Pegasus is a mix of Abu/Carpet, with Hades and Jafar being some of the more formidable villains in Disney's multiverse.
Speaking of other Disney films, I caught a few references in this to other films which is par for the course, but my favorite had to be this Scar hide, from The Lion King.
The lesson to be learned in this film is that being famous isn't the same as being a true hero, and Hercules must learn this as he finds that regaining entry into Olympus is going to cost more than he ever expected.
Going into this film, I expected I would give it about three stars, but I wound up excited and loving it. After two viewings, I can recommend this action and fun-filled animated tale to anyone looking for something to watch on Disney+.
During a time when comic book movies and superheroes are the biggest thing in demand, Hercules should be sure to satiate anyone looking to fill the gap during the wait for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to return. Aging well enough for both children and adults to watch without losing interest, this is one to check out this holiday season!
Hercules, son of the Greek God, Zeus, is turned into a half-god, half-mortal by evil Hades, God of the Underworld, who plans to overthrow Zeus. Hercules is raised on Earth and retains his god-like strength, but when he discovers his immortal heritage Zeus tells him that to return to Mount Olympus he must become a true hero. Hercules becomes a famous hero with the help of his friend Pegasus and his personal trainer, Phil the satyr. Hercules battles monsters, Hades and the Titans, but it is his self-sacrifice to rescue his love Meg which makes him a true hero.
Hercules is available to stream now on Disney+.