Hercules: Any thoughts?

[The "Chase"]

Well, here's comes another Disney film I don't hear a lot here. Any particular thoughts on this one?

As for my thoughts, I haven't seen the whole movie in a while, but man, James Woods and Danny DeVito were great as their characters, the animation was fun to look at (of course), and the songs, while not remembered fondly, are really good.

Best I got. Once again, any thoughts on the movie?

[A. Flea]

When I first saw this movie (I was 6) I thought it was the most friggin' awesome thing I had ever seen! Mostly because of the animation.

8 years later, I still enjoy the movie and like the animation, even though it may be considered "primitive". A The Chase said, I too thought James Woods did a great job as Hades. The Cyclops, Hydra, Creberus and Titan scenes were all good examples of the amazing animation this film has.

And the music was catchy too....

That`s my Cuppa Joe! This is A. Flea sining out.

[Brandon Panther]

Usually, when people discuss this film, it EVENTUALLY leads to how Disney completely cocked up the Hercules mythology, but hey it's a movie adaptation. Who cares?

I like the movie myself, and the songs aren't bad. Love "Zero to Hero".

The song "I Won't Say I'm In Love" is okay too, but it has "Little Shop of Horrors" parody written all over it.

The movie is noteworthy for being one of few Disney musicals to not have a villain's song. I recall reading somewhere that a song had been written for Hades, and was supposed to be written around James Woods' personality, but Woods either revealed he couldn't sing (I thought I heard him sing in another movie), or he was having throat problems and the song was abandoned.

I do remember when this film was first advertised, Disney marketing made a big deal over how Danny DeVito sang in the film, and I was like "Um.... so what?"

[Jack G.]

I hate the character designs in this and every Disney animated feature to follow.

They're just ugly and unappealing.

[nickramer]

I like it. Not in the top 10 Disney animated films, but it's sorta of close. I find it funny that Fowler and Bobcat were cast as Hade's minions since they both had digital character alter egos at one time.

I thought the designs were good. At least they were better than John K's poor attempt at drawing caricatures. Now that's ugly!

[WoodpeckerWoody]

If you are fan of Greek methology, it is a trash.

[FleischerFan]

Disney always messes with their source material. Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland were stripped of any depth of meaning. Little Mermaid had its sad ending changed to a happy one. And on and on.

Consequently, anyone (especially an animation fan) who goes to a Disney feature expecting fealty to the source material is doomed to disappointment. What you are getting - for better or worse - is "The Disney Version."

I tend to judge Disney films as to how entertaining they are, period - not whether or not they represent their source material accurately.

Hercules is not one of my favorites (Little Mermaid would qualify as a first-tier favorite) or even among my second favorites (where I would rank Peter & Alice). However, I do own a DVD copy of this film which is more than I can say for the majority of the non-Pixar features the studio has released since The Lion King (the last really great Disney feature).

The score is forgettable. The humor is pretty good.

[Glowworm]

Truthfully I have not seen the movie since I was 8 and to be honest I didn't really care for it then-perhaps I found it too masculine. I found bits of it gross as a kid.(The decapitated hydra before its heads return,the fates fighting over the eyeball)The only song I truely remember and like is "At Least Out Loud I won't Say I'm in Love"

To be honest I am a folklore lover and definately know that this movie greatly messed up the Greek myths-however I'll refrain from mentioning all of that.

Anyhow I will admit that I did watch a youtube video featuring Hades' moments in the movie which were hillarious. Is it just me though or is the beginning with the birth of baby Hercules a tad reminiscent of Sleeping Beauty? You know-there's a big party, everyone in the land(or universe in this case) attends and then the party pooper shows up(Maleficent or in this case Hades)I love how all the gods and goddesses are so brightly colored while Hades clearly stands out as he's a somber hue compared to the rest.

I also loved Scar's cameo as the Nubian lion.:D


All and all, most likely a good movie for entertainment but not for education in Greek mythology. In other words, don't expect to pass a test on Greek mythology if you watched this movie and not read the actual myths.

:D

[nickramer]

In other words, don't expect to pass a test on Greek mythology if you watched this movie and not read the actual myths.

:D

Nor should you use Bark's "Golden Fleecing" story either. But I like both anyway.

[Daffysleftfoot]

I saw an hour of it once. I have no desire to see the full thing.

[detroittvguy]

I like the Trans-Lux Hercules. :)

[tristar]

Isn't this thread OT?

[That 70s Mom]

I like the Trans-Lux Hercules. :)
I thought that was what this was about too! I was gonna say "Best theme song ever!"

I never saw Disney's, but judging from a story adaptation in one of the Disney storybooks, the plot is incomprehensible.

[Ray Pointer]

I was disappointed in HERCULES, which represents the downward spiral of their animated features. The DeVito character was annoying.

[Thad]

I've called "Aladdin" eye rape before more than once. It's because I forgot "Hercules" existed. I apologize. "Aladdin" is "Singin' in the Rain" compared to "Hercules".

[Brandon Panther]

Hercules is still better than "Lilo & Stitch".

*gets shot by Stitch fans*

[Mr. Semaj]

I saw Hercules on The Disney Channel a few years ago. Didn't enjoy it that much.

Never mind how much of the story was faithful to its original source. The elements were there to put on a great show, but they didn't. For example, Eric Goldberg described Philoctetes as a reminiscence of Grumpy from Snow White. He sounded like an interesting character, but I couldn't feel anything. Unlike the Big Four from the Disney renaissance, there's no pull to get you involved in the film.

It also felt like they carried over a few tricks from Aladdin into this one, including giving the main characters nicknames ("Herc", "Meg", etc.). It shouldn't be so surprising, since both films were directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, but there's a sense of dilution the second time around.

[Matt the Y]

I've called "Aladdin" eye rape before more than once. It's because I forgot "Hercules" existed. I apologize. "Aladdin" is "Singin' in the Rain" compared to "Hercules".

Thank you, Thad!!!!! I've always wanted to meet someone else who dislikes this film as much as I do!

Seriously, this film is a whole lot of nothing and a complete mess! The characters aren't interesting at all; the only character who has a trace of personality is the villain, Hades, who, sadly, I still can't bring myself to get that involved in (maybe it's because I got tired and tired of James Woods going on and on about how GREAT he is in an old Disney Adventures magazine interview I have. Now there's a guy who enjoyed his role WAAYYYYY too much! Hades is the best character in that movie but he is far from a great character and certainly nowhere near the brilliant, genius character Woods describes him as or makes him out to be). And as far as the other voice cast goes, well, let me put it this way..... who the hell would WANT to try to sit through Bobcat Goldthwait's voice through an entire animated movie?! They'd already suffered enough listening to Gilbert Gottfried in Aladdin! Hercules, the main character himself, has about as much personality or charisma as a moldy, wet spongemop!

Even the animation itself isn't spectacular! Yeah, it's lively and expressive but, with a flat, uninteresting story to tell, that animation is wasted and is rendered just as boring since it's communicating to the audience but not communicating anything worthwhile. Everything I saw in the movie struck me as a bunch of characters doing all these wild, zany, slapdash out of control things all at once trying to impress..... but there's more to a movie than just trying to impress. A coherent, interesting, entertaining story and interesting, dimensional, emotional characters that you actually want to get involved with and feel for and (at least!) care about helps the success of a movie A LOT as well!

[Marty26]

I saw it just last Spring. It was okay, but certainly nothing spectacular. Ever since the putridly-PC Pocahontas, 2D Disney films really went down hill (Lilo & Stitch is, perhaps, an exception). Hopefully, The Princess And The Frog will remedy this and bring them back to greatness.

[Jack G.]

Hopefully, The Princess And The Frog will remedy this and bring them back to greatness.Hope so too. But I'm not holding my breath.
I certainly want full hand drawn animation in the Disney tradition to continue.