Review of Hercules (1983) by Jess S — 20 Apr 2010

(from The Watermark, 07/06/97).

Disney has made some great films since Aladdin, but it still has yet to find a lyricist as good as the late Howard Ashman. For this outing, Disney has put David "City of Angels" Zippell together with Ashman's composing partner Menken, making Hercules yet another great animated flick with less-than-great lyrics. But this mythological romp is still great fun nonetheless, even though it has been sanitized (or should I say Disneyized?) of the deception, anger, and violence common to those old myths. Hercules is a god who has been made into a mortal, and must become a true hero before he can once again become a god. The bad guy is Hades, King of the Underworld (voiced brilliantly by Woods) who wants control of the planet, and cannot do so until Hercules is dead. Hercules eventually wins the hearts of the people of Thebes, becoming a pop icon. Next thing we know, his face is plastered on soda cups, sneakers, and actions figures (a little self-satire there on the part of Disney; I'm sure they're winking at us all the way to the bank). Basically, Hercules works because the material lends itself beautifully to animation (unlike Pocahontas). The style is less constricted than other recent Disney vehicles, and you can tell the animators are having great fun. Take note of the five muses who recount the story in the style of Menken & Ashman's Little Shop of Horrors. QUEER QUOTIENT: One thing that I did notice missing was the signature gay character which pops up in every Disney flick. Ah, well, we all know what was really going on in Greece at the time. And did I mention that Hercules is gorgeous? I don't normally go for toons, but honey, he could defeat my Hydra any day.