Watch Hercules
- PG-13
- 1998
- 47 min
-
5.6 (626)
As the son of the mighty Zeus, Hercules is born with incredible strength and a destiny to become a hero. However, when his plan to save his love interest Megara goes awry and he accidentally takes away the powers of the all-powerful Hades, Hercules must embark on a journey to prove himself a true hero and regain his godly powers. Set in ancient Greece, the 1998 Disney animated film Hercules tells the story of the titular character and his journey to find his place in the world. With an all-star cast including Tate Donovan as Hercules, Susan Egan as Megara, and James Woods as Hades, the movie brings to life the classic Greek myth in a charismatic and entertaining way.
The film starts with the Fates - Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos - foretelling the story of Hercules, the son of Zeus and Hera, who is destined to become a hero. However, Hades, the god of the Underworld and Zeus' jealous brother, plots to take over Mount Olympus by using Megara to manipulate Hercules into giving up his strength.
Despite his godly strength, Hercules struggles to fit in among humans due to his unusual strength and clumsy demeanor. After accidentally causing damage to his village, Hercules decides to seek out the help of the satyr Philoctetes in training to become a hero. Along the way, he meets Megara, who he instantly falls in love with.
However, Hercules' happiness is short-lived as Hades and his minions trick him into giving up his strength in exchange for Megara's safety. With his new-found mortality, Hercules sets out on a journey to regain his strength and prove himself as a hero. Along the way, he meets several quirky characters, including a cross-dressing god named Hermes and a trio of singing muses.
The animation in Hercules is stunning, with vibrant colors and designs that bring ancient Greece to life. The character designs are also unique, with exaggerated features that make each character easily recognizable and memorable.
The movie's soundtrack is a standout feature, composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by David Zippel. The songs are catchy and entertaining, with highlights including "Go the Distance" and "Zero to Hero". The film also features a memorable performance by Woods as Hades, who injects the character with a mischievous and cunning personality that makes him one of the most entertaining villains in Disney's history.
Overall, Hercules is an entertaining and heartwarming film that showcases the power of determination and the importance of finding one's place in the world. With its captivating animation, unforgettable characters, and fun soundtrack, the movie is a must-see for fans of Disney's animated films.
Hercules is a 1998 kids & family movie with a runtime of 47 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.