There are so many stories to choose from when it comes to Greek mythology that sometimes it can be hard to chose which one to do as a film. The most heroic and very famous one being Hercules. Yes I know Herc was no saint in real life (you might need to look up what happened and prepare yourself for a nasty shock) but it had only been a matter of time before Disney got their hands on the legendary Greek hero and his adventures.
As usual with any story like that, Disney had a challenge on their hands to keep it as family friendly as possible especially after the backlash that they had received for 'Pocahontas' (1995) and 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame' (1996) (especially 'Hunchback') for being too dark for younger audiences. The result is a light hearted family-friendly version of Hercules with what is arguably the best soundtrack in any Disney animated film.
I can remember a year before the film's release we had done a project on Greek mythology at school so I was aware of the slightly darker side of the Herculean myth and other Greek myths besides. I also remember watching the Hercules spin-off Disney TV series which also messes around with other Greek myths in a family friendly manner (and had also been fantastic to watch, including the Aladdin crossover episode). It was the TV series that made me watch the original film...which quickly made it my favourite Disney animated film of all time (sorry '101 Dalmatians'). Even to this day I still regard it as my favourite Disney animated film.
The story starts off with the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus (can you identify all the Greek Gods and Goddesses that are in the split second shot of them gathered at Olympus?) celebrating the arrival of baby Hercules to proud parents Hera and Zeus in what's clearly a watered-down version of how Hercules came to be. There is also a watered-down version of how Pegasus came to be by Zeus making him from clouds rather than the original version by Perseus using Medusa's blood. Charming.
Then of course Hades (voiced brilliantly by James Woods) has to show up and try and ruin everything. It isn't before long before baby Hercules is stolen from his parents and is eventually brought up by a nice farming couple Alcmene and Amphitryon (another change that Disney made).
Fast forward eighteen years and Hercules is now a teen. Another thing that makes this version different from other versions of Hercules is that the Disney version of Hercules is clumsy because of his God-like strength. This is why this version stands out more than the other versions and I think makes it a pleasant change from the usual "big strong man with a body" image that we're so used to associating with Hercules as a character.
It isn't before long until Hercules' unnatural strength gets him into trouble and results him in questioning where he originally came from. Then Hercules decides to go to the Temple of Zeus to see if he can get some help in finding out who he's supposed to be. There, he learns that he is the son of Zeus and can only return to Mount Olympus if he proves himself a true hero. Zeus advises Hercules to seek out Philocetes, the Trainer of Heroes in this version (yes I know it's Chiron in the original myth).
What follows is a series of adventures and lively musical numbers (my favourite being 'Zero To Hero') throughout the rest of the film. There are also some other nods to Hercules' legend such as the epic Hydra battle, my favourite none singing part in the film and Labour of Hercules (it's revealed in the TV series that Hercules is actually frightened of the Hydra although I don't blame him).
There are some negative parts of the film such as Disney clearly getting Greek and Roman mythology muddled up including the spelling of Hercules himself (not the first time that they've done that). One of the Muses flirting with a picture of Hercules is also very awkward to watch if you're familiar with Greek myths...and the fact that the Muses are supposed to be Herc's half-sisters in the original myth.
Despite the many inaccuracies to Greek myths (and nods to them as well as Hercules' own myth), it is still an enjoyable film to watch twenty-four years later as an adult. There are valuable lessons for the young ones to learn too which you don't get many of in kid's and Disney animated films these days.
It is still one of the reasons why Hercules is considered Disney's most heroic character and one of my favourite Disney animated films as well as my favourite male hero (sorry Robin Hood).
As for my thoughts on the up and coming live action remake...I'm terrified but at the same time curious to see what they will do to it. I just hope that they keep some of the musical numbers in such as 'Zero To Hero' (obviously) and 'I Won't Say I'm In Love'. I also really hope that they keep in the Hydra battle as that would look amazing in live action (then again, they removed Aladdin's fight with snake-Jafar- which would've been brilliant to see- on the Aladdin remake so I'm not getting my hopes up too high for the Hydra battle).
They have a potential to make an amazing Greek epic action film along the lines of '300' but sadly "I've a bad feeling about this". Then again we all thought the same about the 'Mulan' (2020) remake and look how that turned out! However, I'm sure that with the right direction, writing, cast and crew and look for the film, I'm hoping everything will turn out fine for the remake.
In short, I hope Disney learn from their mistakes with the 'Mulan' remake although as I've said, I'm not getting my hopes up too high for this.
Back to the animated version. This was also the film that got me even more interested in Greek mythology. All in all, I think it's safe to say that if you like Greek mythology then this is certainly a film to sit down and enjoy for an hour and a half.
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