Movie Review: Hercules (1997)

Hello!

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.

Good For: Anyone who is trying to find out who they are.

Age Range: Remember how on my last review I said that Disney movies are for everyone? Well, for this one I am going to have to add an age range. The thing is, it is a pretty good storyline, but for little kids (and I have run into this several times) is that they think that it is real, that it is a true story. I feel like teenagers are the ones who will really appreciate this movie.

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:

"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

Announcing the Jimmy Stewart Blogathon!

Hello, movie lovers!

While I have been blogging, I have hosted four blogathons (three of which are the same). Since it has been awhile since the last one, I have decided that I should do another. Of course the first theme to come to mind is my favorite actor. Of all time.

Who is...

Jimmy Stewart!

I invite all of you to join me! It will run May 18th - 20th, because on May 20th it would have been his 111th birthday!

The Rules:

1. You can write about anything that has to do with James Stewart. 
2. I ask that because he made so many films that no two people review the same movie.
3. You can do as many posts as you want, and just post them on either May 18th, 19th, or 20th.
4. Comment below with what subject you would like to cover, and with your blog name and a link to it.
5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

The Buttons:

I am really excited about this (can you tell?), so I got a little carried away with the buttons. Please take one (or two) and spread the word!

Claimed posts:

-Movies Meet Their Match - It's a Wonderful World (1939)
-Movies Meet Their Match - Why Jimmy Stewart is My Favorite Actor
-A Story Detective - TBD
-Hameltte's Soliloquy - Harvey (1950)
-The Pen and the Cross - It's A Wonderful Life (1947)
-Pure Entertainment Preservation Society - Born to Dance (1936)
-Pure Entertainment Preservation Society - His cameo in Rose-Marie
-Sarah (Life of a Homeschooler) - Pot o' Gold (1941)
- And you!


Thanks for reading! I am so excited about this, are you?

MovieCritic

The Disney Princess Book Tag: Take 2

Hello, film lovers!

A year ago today I did the Disney Princess Book Tag, which I was tagged by Hamlette. It was fun! Then, a few months ago (it was actually Sep. Wow, time flies) I saw on Fawnabelle's blog another Disney Princess Book Tag, that was completely different! Of course I "stole" it, and am doing it now.

Because I already did a version, I am not going to be reusing any of the same books, I have to pick completely new ones! And, I'll try not to use all of the ones Fawn used.

I believe that it started HERE.:


The Disney Princess Book Tag:

Fawnabelle made this graphic.

Snow White: "This book (like the movie) started it all"
Favorite Debut Book From an Author


Ella Enchanted - by Gail Carson Levine. Oh, so good!

Cinderella: "A diamond in the rough"
Just Like Cinderella, You Either Didn’t Expect Much Out of This Character in the Beginning But Turned Out to Be a Total Gem

Just to let you all know, I had a lot of trouble with this one.

To be honest, I didn't think a lot about Luna Lovegood when she was first introduced in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - by J. K. Rowling, but she became my favorite character of the whole series!! She is the best.


Aurora: "Sleeping Beauty"
A Book That Makes You Sleepy or Just Could Not Hold Your Attention


The Jungle Book - by Rudyard Kipling. Okay, so I was reading this to kids I was babysitting so that they could fall asleep, and I was having such a hard time staying awake.

Ariel: "Under the Sea"
A Book With a Water/Ocean Setting

Saturdays at Sea - by Jessica Day George. It is the fifth book in the Castle Glower series.

Belle: "Beauty and the Beast"
Name a Book With the Best Bookworm/Book Lover


Pretty much everyone (especially Alex and Connor) in The Land of Stories series - by Chris Colfer love books.

Jasmine: "The thief and the princess"
Name Book with an Unlikely Love Story (Either in Terms of Romance or a Book You Didn’t Expect to Love So Much)


When You Reach Me - by Rebecca Stead. My sister told me that it was really good, but I didn't believe her. Wow, just wow. It is really good.

Pocahontas: "The real life princess"
Name a Book that is Based on a Real Life Person You Want to Read/Have Read


I don't think of any of the books I have read has been based on someone. Oh, wait, Island of the Blue Dolphins - by Scott O'Dell is! (Apparently I saw her grave in Santa Barbara when I was really little).

Mulan: "The princess that saved her country"
Name the Fiercest Heroine You Know


Fierce? Um... I'm not sure that is how you would describe most of the heroine's in the books I read. I guess Scarlet from Scarlet - by Marissa Meyer is pretty fierce.

Tiana: "The princess with the coolest and most diverse crew"
Name a diverse book whether it is a diverse set of characters (like Tiana’s group of Naveen, Louis, Ray, and more) or just diverse in general.

Is there any possible way that I am not going to say The Wizard of Oz - by L. Frank Baum, to answer this one? I don't think so. There are so, so, so, many characters there who are all awesome.


Rapunzel: "Let your loooong hair down"
Name the Longest Book You’ve Ever Read


David Copperfield - by Charles Dickens, 624 pages long.

Merida: "I determine my own fate"
A Book Where There is No Love Story/Interest or Isn’t Needed


To Kill A Mockingbird - by Harper Lee. Sorry, romance lovers, there is none in here. But, it is amazing! Everyone should definitely read this at some point.

Silhouette on silhouette, pretty cool, right?


Anna and Elsa: "Frozen hearts"
A Book in a Winter/Cold Setting


I really wanted to use The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, but I used that last time!

Sorry, I don't know why Elsa's background is grey.

Julie of the Wolves - by Jean Craighead George. There were parts that I didn't like, but there were some interesting things.


Moana: "How far I’ll go"
A Character That Goes on a Journey


Frodo, Sam, and others in The Lord of the Rings - by J. R. R. Tolkien. Haha, yes, I can use it! I haven't used it yet.

I tag:

Rakayle
And anyone who has watched a Disney movie in the last week.


Thank you so much for reading! Are there any books you think I should read?

MovieCritic

Movie Review: Moana (2016)

Hello!

About two years ago, my little sister convinced me to watch Moana (2016). I was not eager to, because from the trailer I was pretty sure that I would not like it. I was correct. There were some good elements, but overall not the best. That is what I'm going to be talking about today.

I have now seen it three times, and it has taken that long (two years) to get all of my thoughts together. Well, here we go!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

Moana (2016):

A chieftain's young daughter longs to go out and explore the ocean, but her father has forbidden it.  The only one who seems to understand is her grandmother. With a mysterious darkness spreading, her grandmother tells her that the ocean chose her to get the demi-god Maui to return the heart of Te Fiti, the goddess of life. It is the only way that the darkness will stop. Moana has never sailed before, can she go so far from home?
"I am Moana of Motunui. You will board my boat, sail across the ocean, and return the heart of Te Fiti."

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure.

Length: approx. 110 minutes.

Costumes: 6, native island garb, so a lot of people aren't wearing shirts. Nothing spectacular.

Script: 10. No bad words, I think!

Crew:

Directed by: Ron Clements, & John Musker.
Written by: Jared Bush, Ron Clements, John Musker, Chris Williams, Don Hall, Pamela Ribon, Aaron Kandell, & Jordan Kandell.

Starring the voices of:
Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana.

Dwayne Johnson as Maui.

See that hook? It is on every animal that he changes into.

Rachel House as Grandmother Tala.

Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa.
Temuera Morrison as Tui.
Christopher Jackson as Tui's singing voice.
Nicole Scherzinger as Sina.

Alan Tudyk as Heihei and a Villager.

Animation: 8, I'm not a fan of digital animation, but I have to say that they did a pretty good job with the ocean.

Music: 7. This has possibly some of the best Disney songs, but it also has (in my opinion) the worst two. Ugh, "You're Welcome" and "Shiny" are so terrible! But, I do love "How Far I'll Go" and "Moana/Ancestor Song".

Music by: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i & Mark Mancina.

Quotes: 8,
'"I am not a princess! I am the chieftain's daughter."
"Same difference."'

Oscars won: 2: Best Animated Feature, and Best Original Song ("How Far I'll Go").

Notes: There are several Easter eggs. One of which has to do with a chicken eating a "rock".

Storyline: 5. There is death, and several gross or crude things. Also, see below.

Good For: Anyone who is struggling with who they are.

Age Range: There are some scary scenes, but I would say that anyone over 6 years old would be fine. Maybe even younger, I mean, Disney does make these movies for everyone.

Overall Score: 7.

Bonus thoughts:
You might be wondering why the "Storyline" is rated so low. I really try not to be biased here, I try to just talk about my thoughts on the movie and not have them affect the actual score, but I couldn't ignore it here. There are several things that really bother me.
1. As a Catholic, I don't believe in "demi-gods" or other things like that. I know that this is fictional, but  it still is hard for me to watch.
2. The whole "magical tattoos" thing is really gross and freaks me out. As my sister repeatedly has told me, it is a part of their culture (actually, both of these things are), but it seemed unnecessary to emphasize it so much. There is one very small part, that many people probably haven't noticed, but it has kind of traumatized me. Moana is helping hold someone down while they get a tattoo. That definitely wasn't needed! Now, I am of the opinion that it is your body, you can do what you want with it, but I believe that God made us all in his image, why would we want to stain ourselves?
Now, I don't hate this movie. There are really good parts, too!

1. I love the character Moana. She is awesome.
2. Some of the songs are amazing!
3. The whole quest to find out who you are really resonates with me. I have been having a hard time with it recently, so it is good to hear that message.
4. The ending is beautiful.

There are bad things, there are good things. I just wish that the bad elements weren't there!


Oh, and I have a new header!! My wonderful header maker (my little sister) made this for me!

Ah, I just love it! Sorry to all of you who looked at my blog in the 24 hours that we were testing out different fonts. It was pretty bad. But, we finally figured out what to do. What do all of you think?


Thank you so much for reading! Please, I would love to chat with you about this movie, so tell me all of your thoughts!

MovieCritic