Finding my place in college as a freshman has been an interesting turn of events; I realize how young I am compared to everyone else, though by no means am I a twenty-first century baby. With my youth always in mind, the one thing that truly brings me content is that I was born the same year that Disney’s Hercules blessed the already booming franchise. Eighteen years later and the movie still hasn't received much recognition from viewers, making it arguably the most underrated Disney movie. As a die-hard fan, it's my duty to highlight its greatness. Here’s a list of why Hercules is one of the best Disney movies, in no particular order:
1. Hades… the villain you hate to love:
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My favorite character hands down, Hades dos not disappoint. Voiced by James Woods, Hades is a cunning, captivating antagonist whose evilness is almost overshadowed by humor. Even though I, like most people, want Hercules to end up on top, I still want Hades in the picture for his charismatic dialogue and sheer passion for world domination. And with Pain and Panic, it's sure to be a fun eternity.... in the Underworld.
2. It is both a hero movie and a romantic comedy
Disney knows how to do romance, or at least the damsel-in-distress kind, but this time around, they add dashes of danger and character development key to the resolution. Heck, Herc even goes to the Underworld for Meg. If that’s too extreme, fear not; there’s also an adorable banter between the love interests, a huge misunderstanding, and an ending that will satisfy romantics everywhere. Thank you, Hunk-ules.
3. Meg is more complex than most Disney princesses
Now don’t get me wrong- I love Disney princess movies just as much or if not more, than the next person- but Meg is such a hidden gem compared to some static female love interests. Her dry humor mixed with an actual backstory makes her relatable. However, I didn’t sell my soul to a crappy ex-boyfriend... thank God. I love Meg because she makes mistakes, owns up to them, and still triumphs with her true love. Sigh.
4. The Muses are the icing on the cake
Whoever made the executive decision that The Muses should narrate is an absolute genius. I mean, with the powerful, Broadway voices of Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan, and Vaneese Thomas, the story leaps off the screen because of literal gospel roots. “The Gospel Truth” and “Zero to Hero” are so catchy that you’ll almost want The Muses AND Morgan Freeman to narrate your life.
5. “Won’t Say I’m in Love” is a love-sick anthem
Just find the sing-a-long video on YouTube and enjoy! (But really... if you listen to this song when you're crushin' hard, you'll enjoy life even more.) As a girl who has had her fair share of crushes, this song pops up every now and then and I can't help but jam out.
6. The hidden references and jokes
Grecian Express credit card? Air-Herc? Scar as a decorative rug? I suggest re-watching ASAP to try and catch all the little details. It's probably funner than you remember.
7. Montages galore
First, with the training-to-be-a-hero montage, and then with the watch-him-conquer-the-baddies montage, Hercules never ceases with the fluid time-lapses and humorous bits in between. The music plus the animation really makes me wonder, who doesn't love a great montage?
8. “Go the Distance” is a show-stopper
This song is everything Disney aspires to reproduce time and time again. The inspirational message really motivates me personally, even enough to start running (and I hate running). Roger Bart’s vocals nearly soar, warming the coldest of hearts. Plus, the song was even nominated for Best Original Song that year (yet it lost to Titanic’s “My Heart Will Go On"). But still.
9. It passes the Bechdel Test
The Bechdel test is a wonderful guide for movie goers who wants a more fair portrayal of women in movies (even though in this case, the women are animated). The test has three rules for the movie to “pass”: it must have at least two [named] women, who talk to each other, and talk about something other than a man. Only half of all films meet these requirements, and Hercules passes with the conversation among The Fates and The Muses with Meg. Thank you, Disney!
10. Based on a Greek tale
Purists may believe that this loose interpretation of Greek mythology is a disservice to us. However, this may help kids and adults become interested with mythology, and if not, it sure tells one heck of a story. And the animation for the gods? Perfect for kids and adults.
There's honestly no reason not to watch Hercules: it's Disney masterpiece and it's on Netflix. You don't need Hermes to relay that message.
