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Special Features
"The Making Of Hercules" Featurette
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Not the egregious foul it seemed to be in theaters, Hercules stands up as an entertaining spritzer of an animated feature. The continual peppering of in-jokes and cultural references becomes less irksome on video. That there's no majesty or awe invested in the beloved Greek legends also seems less of an error. Also on the plus side is the bounciest Alan Menken music since Little Shop of Horrors. With Zeus's blood in his veins, young Hercules's amazing strength makes him an outcast (sorry, that still doesn't fly), so he trains with a satyr named Phil to become a hero. Along the way Herc meets Meg, a common mortal who falls hard for him. They're both against the jocular Hades, who has to destroy Hercules to take over Olympus. The hydra is the computer-animated set piece for this little number, a no-chance attempt to beat that wildebeest herd from The Lion King. --Keith Simanton
Product Description
British artist/political cartoonist Gerald Scarfe was brought in to assist with character design, and he remained involved as an ongoing artistic advisor to the animators.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a great film for the kids and anyone interested in animation. The use of gospel music was a masterstroke and adds much to the livliness of the film as does the input from Gerald Scarfe, the mastermind behind Pink Floyd's "The Wall". His influence and artistic stlye are seen in every frame of the film and give it the most distinctive style and look of any Disney film since Sleeping Beauty. Highly original and beautiful. I espicially like the character design of Meg, they've made her to look like a walking grecian vase!
Story wise we've seen this a million times before, especially in all the recent Disney films. That said though, I still enjoy this film more than Aladdin, it's competitor for the funniest Disney film ever (that was until The Emperor's New Groove knocked them both out of the park). Children are sure to love the outragous humor, bright colors, music and light tone as well as the comical sidekicks (Pain and Panic) and monsters. Frankly, I'm confounded by the negative reviews here. Everything is done top notch except for the predictable Disney formula plot.
The DVD presentation is fantastic. The film is presented in widescreen, the colors are bright, blacks are deep and dark and the sound is crisp and clear. You couldn't ask for a better presentation. However, it lacks for extras. There is a 12 minute making of short that is somewhat insightful and a music video of Ricky Martin's Spanish version of "Go The Distance". Also included are a simple triva game and the storybook mode that's found on most Disney DVD's.
The crisp bright look of the DVD is enough to warrant a buy for a Disney fan, but add in the gospel music, humor, fantastical setting and daring animation style and you've got yourself a winner for anyone!
68 of 79 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I am in graduate school for my masters in history and I know just about EVERYTHING there is to know about mythology and Greek culture and let me tell you, I LOVED this movie! All the people who hated it because of its inaccuracies should know that not ONE Disney movie has EVER been accurate. Cinderella's step-sisters cut their toes off to fit into the glass slipper. The Little Mermaid is supposed to DIE in the end. There is NO Gaston or dancing pots and pans in Beauty and the Beast. There is no wise-cracking genie in Aladdin. Hercules is NO different. But unlike those movies, the "true" story of Hercules is just plain awful. The story goes like this: Hercules is born after Zeus cheats on his wife. Zeus then has the baby feed on Hera's breast when she is sleeping. Then Hercules in a fit of anger kills his whole family, and spends his whole life killing monsters for his cousin as penance. In the end his second wife gives him a magic coat with which he burns himself to death because he cheated on her. Oh, what a great movie that would make! Honestly, the revamped story is VASTLY superior, and Disney did everything right as far as the geology of Greece, the architecture, the clothing, and many other little anecdotes. That's much more than I can say for any other version of Hercules including that god-awful Kevin Sorbo show. I see the movie more as a humorous look at ALL Greek myths. I think any student of Greek myths would agree. Sure the Gospel music was a bit much, but it fit the story beautifully.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By P. Smith
Format:DVD
I've always been a crazy fanatic about greek and roman history and mythology. Even with the gross inaccuracies (sp??) it's maybe my second favorite disney movie beneath the lion king.
The chorus is perfect for classical literature and fits in well. There are a bunch of witty little lines and actions. For instance in one scene hercules is posing with a lion skin over his shoulder, which is obviously Scar from the lion king. The love story is very cute. Phil is a little annoying, but he's always very funny. Alotta greek monsters which are comically animated. Hades is hilarious and my favorite role for James Woods. Pain and Panic are great comic relief. Meg is a beautifully created character and presents a story of redemption. The ending is also very heartwarming.
If you can watch the film without whining and pointing out the mythological flaws (while still knowing enough mythology to understand some of the jokes) I would definitely suggest it.
The chorus is perfect for classical literature and fits in well. There are a bunch of witty little lines and actions. For instance in one scene hercules is posing with a lion skin over his shoulder, which is obviously Scar from the lion king. The love story is very cute. Phil is a little annoying, but he's always very funny. Alotta greek monsters which are comically animated. Hades is hilarious and my favorite role for James Woods. Pain and Panic are great comic relief. Meg is a beautifully created character and presents a story of redemption. The ending is also very heartwarming.
If you can watch the film without whining and pointing out the mythological flaws (while still knowing enough mythology to understand some of the jokes) I would definitely suggest it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
I like it
Fun movie, nice music, good story that show how you can go from zero to a hero, my kids enjoy this movie.
Published 32 minutes ago by Amelia Crews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice
I wanted to get an old school movie so I found this one and it was a good deal. Purchased this for my daughter it came within two days! Read more
Published 5 days ago by tsingl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for all ages!
My 8th grade teachers asked for this as a fun introduction into their Greek Mythology unit! The students loved it and the teachers did, too!
Published 5 days ago by Lana Foster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth it :)
Hercules is one of my favorite Disney movies, and one I enjoy watching for the story and the songs. I am happy to own it in my collection. :)
Published 10 days ago by Jennifer Py-Swafford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love It!
we got this for my 3year old to build up our Disney collection. I think i love it as much as he does!
Published 11 days ago by Britany Brashears
3.0 out of 5 stars
It was ok
The movie is great for little kids in the ages of 4 thru 9. My son, who is 13 had to watch this movie for a report. Read more
Published 16 days ago by RAFAxNADAL
5.0 out of 5 stars
great kids movie
This is another classic Disney movie. Its there spin on the Hercules legend. Its colorfully done. Plant of music and great voice acting. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Adam Rutledge
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hercules!!!!!!
This is one of my all time favorite movies ever... my kids enjoy it too...LOL! I never get tired of seeing it.
Published 24 days ago by Angel
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great movie
this is a great movie for kids. Plus it was cheap cannot go wrong buy now!! has a lot of action.
Published 28 days ago by Prmtyme
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not "widescreen," not even 1.66:1, It is 4:3 letterbox in a bizarre,...
The widescreen version is a 4:3 letterbox, designed for the old-fashioned NTSC tube sets, and the content isn't even a screen aspect your television or player can "zoom"... Read more
Published 29 days ago by R. J. Hansen
