HERCULES
Smiles all around, witty asides, clever animation, foot-tapping music, romance and melodrama, topped off with froth and bubble, and pastel flowers thrown in for good measure. Hercules is entertaining fare for adults and children, with the classic Disney feel-good touch. The story is a traditional fairy-tale about an outcast hero who struggles to prove himself and go back to where he belongs. Way back, “when all the world was new”, Baby Hercules is born to the Greek gods Zeus and Hera. Jealousy and trouble come in the form of Hades, lord of the underworld. And he is particularly miffed when he finds out from the three ghastly Fates that though 18 years later, when the planets are in perfect alignment, he will be able to establish his rule over heaven and earth, his plans will be foiled if he finds himself coming up against Hercules. The enraged Hades sends his sidekicks to kidnap baby Hercules, turn him into a mortal, and then kill him. Unfortunately, the sidekicks goof up, and though they turn the baby into a mortal, they are unable to kill him. Hercules is found by a peasant couple and grows up to be a young man of extraordinary strength. But this ability makes him a freak, and he longs to return to his roots. On advice from his father Zeus, Hercules sets off on a journey to become a hero and regain his celestial status, training under the comical satyre Phil (based on Danny DeVito, who also lends his voice), and going on to conquer a string of terrible monsters as well as the heart of a young girl, Meg, who is a slave to Hades. The animation and characterisation are excellent as usual, and all the monsters are hideously terrifying. The lilting music keeps the tone of the film upbeat, and there is a very clever use of the concept of the Greek chorus which narrates and comments on the tale in the form of five spirited singers warbling away in the gospel style. Only one sequence sticks out like a sore thumb. When Hercules reaches new pinnacles of fame as a hero, there is a rather funny take-off on how famous people become the basis of merchandise like plastic action figures and beach sandals. But the song is obviously also a rather shameless plug of Disney’s real-life merchandise based on this film. Okay, everyone knows that competition is cut-throat these days, but surely a class act like Disney doesn’t need to push its movie merchandise in this manner. Nevertheless, this film is a must-see for all fans of animated musical entertainment. |
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DIRECTORS:
John Musker, Ron Clements
