Retro Review: Disney’s ‘Hercules’ (1997)

Reviewing the full-length animated Disney features in order, we are nearing the end of the Disney Renaissance. This current film and the next enjoy well-earned iconic fame. Disney often alternates releases of stories of princesses, meant to appeal to girls, with stories of heroes, meant to appeal to boys, and so has a habit of following Norse mermaid with Arabic streetrat with Powatan princess with Parisian hunchback. In this case, it is the boy’s turn, and the Hellenic hero of heroes is our star. HERCULES (1997) tells the story of the ancient Greek demigod as a modern athletic superstar, complete with merchandize, sports shoes and energy drinks, attempting to regain his lost godhood by learning to be a true hero. Along the way he finds unexpected love, and, in truly heroic fashion, sacrifices everything he thought he desired to achieve it. The theme of playfully modernizing the ancient myth is made obvious in the opening minute of the film: a grave and somber voiceover by Charleton Heston is interrupted and replaced by a joyful and upbeat gospel number by Motown Muses. In this version, nine Greek goddesses are five sassy Negro spiritual singers. The basic plot is established in a ...