Hercules Review- by Michael Carlisle

Title: Hercules

Year: 1997

Country: U.S

Language: English 

Who put the glad in gladiator? Hercules is not the typical Disney fare and perhaps it has suffered from being different but it’s quite a great under-rated Disney gem of the 90’s. Indeed, when one thinks of 90’s Disney classic there is a typical list: Beauty and the Beast, Alladin & The Lion King. Even Disney does not feel  their film is vault worthy! I’m here to tell you that all Hercules is not only vault worthy, but it should be considered one of the best Disney film of all time. Hercules is so hot, steam looks cool.

Hercules aka Herc, who’s world is uniquely drawn by British animator Gerlade Scarfe, is portrayed much differently than in the well known stories of “Bullfinche’s Mythology” and justly so. A man who murders his wife and children is not necessarily a good choice for a main character in a film that will likely be seen by a generation of children. Like most of Disney’s heroes, Hercules is an orphan, kidnapped from his father/God Zues by the Lord of the Dead’s evil minions Pain and Panic. He is also incredibly strong and unaware of his incredible strength, shown in a scene where he accidently knocks over temples, though his good looks and youthful innocence make him a very likable fellow.

Disney takes a page out of Shakespeare with this film, mainly the play Macbeth. Like the character Macbeth, the villain of Hercules, known as Hades (James Woods), has an insatiable thirst for power which will only stop once he reaches the very top. Both characters are also ultimately doomed but are not initially aware of this. Hades is told by three fates that when the planets align he should attack the Gods of Mount Olympus, however if Hercules fights he will fail. The fates have tricked him, like the witches did to Macbeth. They have given Hades an ego, but not completely told the truth. Hercules WILL be at this battle, but Hades thinks he can kill him as a child. Therefore he sends his minions Pain and Panic to do the dirty job, but they are unable to kill him and nobody informs Hades about this.

This film is a great study of “masculinity”. Hercules is a human, but the child of a God in Heaven. He must on Earth, around the imperfect immortals, to eventually earn his way back to Heaven and into the arms of his God/father.  His adolescence is a very clumsy one, which earns the nickname “Jerkules” among his peers, but after he questions his existence his father appears before him and tells him that in order to come back he must be a “hero”. What does it mean to be a “hero”? Well in most films the “hero” is a muscular masculine figure who  can save a damsel in distress without starting a sweat. Hercules tries this way, he becomes the idealistic muscular “masculine” figure. He has groups of girls head over heels for him, he’s so popular that he is an action figure! Yet when he tells his literal and spiritual father this he merely says “You’re not a hero yet”. Perhaps if Hercules looked tried out some more typically “feminine” traits, the movie would over much sooner. Indeed it is love that is more powerful than brute strength.

One may compare Hercules with the average Christian’s messiah Jesus Christ. Both are children of Gods, both have a mission of Earth, both are saviors (saving the world from a giant volcano dude should qualify you as a savior), both realize that the more “masculine” aggressive characteristics get them nowhere and both have to sacrifice themselves to be with their father in Heaven. Indeed there are more than a few parallels between Herc and Christ, I don’t think this is a coincidence. Hercules is also a discussion about the meaning of life. The song “Go the Distance” is essentially about man’s want to belong, our want for meaning, our want for challenge. We want love and acceptance and we will go almost anywhere to truly belong, to  feel unique and special.

In conclusion, Hercules is a funny yet deep Disney film that deserves a place among the greats. There are memorable songs, such as “go the distance” and “zero to hero”, and  wonderful voice actors.  It has great heart and great thoughts about man’s search for meaning in life. Hercules teaches that masculinity is not merely brute strength and that it would only help men if they acquired some “feminine” traits. While it takes pages from Orpheus and Shakespeare, this film is a wonderful, entertaining and memorable experience. 3/5

Next Review: The Prince of Egypt