Day 35: Hercules

Hercules (1997)

Starring: Tate Donovan, Josh Keaton, Roger Bart, Danny DeVito, James Woods, Susan Egan, Frank Welker, Rip Torn, Samantha Eggar, Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan, Vanéese Y. Thomas, Bob Goldthwait, Matt Frewer, Patrick Pinney, Hal Holbrook, Barbara Barrie, Amanda Plummer, Carole Shelley, Paddi Edwards, Paul Shaffer, Jim Cummings, Wayne Knight, Keith David, Charlton Heston

Songs: "The Gospel Truth," "Go the Distance," "One Last Hope," "Zero to Hero," "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)," "A Star is Born"

Hercules is the story of a young man who was born a god and sent to live among mortals, based on the Greek myth of the same name.  The idea for this movie dates back to 1985, when the story that would eventually become Treasure Planet was pitched.  Directors Ron Clements and John Musker had to agree to do a film with more box office potential to get the studio to agree to greenlight Treasure Planet.

This movie is a lot of fun.  The music is great -- seriously, doing the Muses as a gospel/soul choir was inspired.  The character designs are awesome, taking their inspiration from Greek pottery.  The animation is mostly wonderful, though the CGI elements aren't blended as well here as they were in the last previous films.  In fact, you wouldn't be out of line to say the animation of the scene with the Hydra especially looks dated, which is a complaint I've not had with any previous Renaissance era film.  But overall, it's still an awesome, enjoyable movie.  I liked it as a kid, I like it now.  This is one where I obviously didn't have all that much to say, but again, the movie probably speaks for itself.

What I Liked:  The Muses.  They are awesome and cute.  Also, Superman is a Hercules story in a way, and I sort of like Superman, so yeah.  Pleasant associations all around.

What I Disliked: The Scar cameo.  And the only reason I disliked it is because he's on screen long enough to take you out of the movie.  Had it been briefer, I'd have enjoyed it more.

Should You Watch This Movie: It's a lot of fun.  I'd go for it.