I'm sorry that there have been so many posts from me lately! I mean, not that my posts are a bad thing, but they have just been coming all at once. I have the weirdest system (yes, there is a method to my madness), but everything should level out after this.
Any who, this April's theme for me has been reviewing Disney movies that I don't like (yippee). Today's subject: the animated Hercules. Don't worry, I will be very unbiased while reviewing this. The last movie I reviewed was Moana, and there are actually many similarities between the two! One being that they are directed by the same people.
This is the first time in a while that I just have watched a movie, then decided to review it on the same day, without any planning involved. Some of the quotes that I list might be a bit of a paraphrase, because I watched it in Spanish. I'm trying to learn Spanish, so for a long time I have wanted to watch a movie completely in Spanish (with subtitles, of course. I'm not that good yet), so that is what my sisters and I did today.
My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.
Hercules (1997):
(Loosely) Based on: Greek mythology.
Hades, the god of the underworld is tired of being just that. He plans to over throw Zeus in 18 years. The Fates predict that he will succeed unless Zeus's son, Hercules, is there to stop him. With that in mind, Hades turns Hercules mortal, thinking that he is dead. Years pass, and Hercules has kept his strength, and doesn't fit in anywhere. After learning that he is the son of Zeus, he learns to become a hero to earn back his rightful place on Mount Olympus.
"Giving up is for rookies."
Hades, the god of the underworld is tired of being just that. He plans to over throw Zeus in 18 years. The Fates predict that he will succeed unless Zeus's son, Hercules, is there to stop him. With that in mind, Hades turns Hercules mortal, thinking that he is dead. Years pass, and Hercules has kept his strength, and doesn't fit in anywhere. After learning that he is the son of Zeus, he learns to become a hero to earn back his rightful place on Mount Olympus.
"Giving up is for rookies."
Genre: Adventure, Romance, Comedy.
Length: approx. 90 minutes
Costumes: 7, a little low, short, etc., but it is the traditional garb.
Script: 9, um, I don't think there was anything bad.
"Two words: I am retired."
"Two words: I am retired."
 |
| Yeah, we're all confused. |
Crew:
Directed by: Ron Clements, & John Musker.
Written by: Donald McEnery, Bob Shaw, Irene Mecchi, Kaan Kalyon, Kelly Wightman, Randy Cartwright, John Ramirez, Jeff Snow, Vance Gerry, Kirk Hanson, Francis Glebas, Mark Kennedy, Bruce M. Morris, Don Dougherty, & Thom Enriquez.
Starring (the voices of):
Tate Donovan as Hercules.
Josh Keaton as Hercules as a teenager.
Roger Bart as Hercules (singing).
Danny DeVito as Philoctetes/Phil.
Susan Egan as Megara.
James Woods as Hades.
Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan and Vanéese Y. Thomas as the Muses (Calliope, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Thalia and Clio).
Bobcat Goldthwait as Pain.
Matt Frewer as Panic.
Rip Torn as Zeus.
Hal Holbrook as Amphitryon.
Barbara Barrie and Alcmene.
Amanda Plummer, Carole Shelley and Paddi Edwards as Clotho, Lachesis, Atropos, the three Fates.
Paul Shaffer as Hermes.
Tate Donovan as Hercules.
Roger Bart as Hercules (singing).
Danny DeVito as Philoctetes/Phil.
James Woods as Hades.
Bobcat Goldthwait as Pain.
Rip Torn as Zeus.
Hal Holbrook as Amphitryon.
Barbara Barrie and Alcmene.
Amanda Plummer, Carole Shelley and Paddi Edwards as Clotho, Lachesis, Atropos, the three Fates.
Paul Shaffer as Hermes.
Animation: 8, there are some gross things, but overall good.
Animation by: Gerald Scarfe.
Music: 8, (to me) there are some annoying songs, but "Go the Distance" and "I Won't Say I'm In Love" are both good. (Actually, I never liked "I Won't Say I'm In Love" until I watched it today!).
Music by: Alan Menken
Quotes: 8, "I'm a damsel, I'm in distress, I can handle this. Have a nice day."
Notes: Look for Easter eggs.
Notes: Look for Easter eggs.
Storyline: 7, there are some crude humor, gross things, smoking, death, and some suggestive things (but that overall is handled pretty well). See more below.
Overall Score: 7.5.
Bonus thoughts:
Okay, so like Moana, the main problem I have with this is the fact that I am a Catholic and I don't believe in these myths. They are myths, but what I mentioned in saying the age range is what really bothers me here.
Today when watching it I realized how good it actually is! It has the same idea as Moana, the search for who you are, which I have really been having a hard time with lately. Hercules is awkward and clumsy, and as someone who is like that, he is really relatable. Can I also just mention how he is the sweetest guy ever? They did a really good job on his character.
Final thing, this message is gold:
Okay, so like Moana, the main problem I have with this is the fact that I am a Catholic and I don't believe in these myths. They are myths, but what I mentioned in saying the age range is what really bothers me here.
Today when watching it I realized how good it actually is! It has the same idea as Moana, the search for who you are, which I have really been having a hard time with lately. Hercules is awkward and clumsy, and as someone who is like that, he is really relatable. Can I also just mention how he is the sweetest guy ever? They did a really good job on his character.
"A hero true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart."
Overall, not my favorite, but fun to watch every now and again, because it is actually really funny.
What do you think? Please tell me all of your thoughts on this movie! Thanks for reading!
MovieCritic
Overall, not my favorite, but fun to watch every now and again, because it is actually really funny.
What do you think? Please tell me all of your thoughts on this movie! Thanks for reading!
MovieCritic
My favorite Disney movie!
ReplyDeleteIt's a pretty good one! :)
DeleteI love Hercules. :D Might not be the most accurate in terms of Greek mythology, but super fun!
ReplyDeleteIt is! This last time I watched it I was laughing so much. It is pretty funny. :D
DeleteFun fact: the best part about that quote you put under the script is that, in Greek, the phrase "I am retired" actually is 2 words: Είμαι συνταξιούχος! Cool, right? I love when Disney does stuff like that. XD
ReplyDeleteI do agree that younger kids won't appreciate the movie as well as older teens and adults. In fact, I know it helps to be familiar with many areas of Greek mythology in order to get ALL the jokes hidden in there--there are some pretty good ones that I never got until after I studied Greek history/mythology in high school. Really, I love this movie. Sure, it has a little bit of a tone problem. But the art style is unique and the music is great! And, you're right, I think they did a fantastic job with the character of Hercules. <3
Whoa, really!? That is so awesome! I agree, those are some of Disney's best moments when they do those kinds of things! XD
DeleteExactly! I'm not that familiar with Greek mythology, but my older sister is so she is able to point out some humorous parts and explain them when I wouldn't have gotten them. Watching when I was really little, I think I was a little scared, and didn't like the animation, but watching it this last time I loved it! So much better than digital animation. Oh, he is the best!! <3
I thought it was pretty good.
ReplyDeleteMy sister used to be OBSESSED with it. She had Hercules books, Hercules dolls, etc. Etc. Once my two sisters and I were all supposed to be reading separately and instead we all read Hercules together and there was something really funny so we started laughing and had to scramble for our beda before we were caught.
It do like to watch it every once in awhile!
DeleteHaha! Having two sisters I know exactly how that is. My older sister really liked this, but was never officially obsessed. Now, there are a ton of things that I'm obsessed with, namely Robin Hood and Star Wars! It's so fun to find things that you really like.