5 Reasons 'Hercules' is Awesome-er Than You Thought

It’s PUMP UP WEEK and we are here again bringing you articles to get you pumped up for this weeks Animation Addicts Podcast episode on Hercules! The new episode is due out on Friday March 28th.

For whatever reason, whenever talking about the Disney Renaissance, Hercules tends to get the short end of the stick, which is perplexing to me because it is one of my personal all time favorites. I don’t know if it was simply because it was one of the few (and I mean few) VHS films my family actually owned while I was growing up, but every sick day, early dismissal day, don’t-know-what-to-do day, I would end up re-watching Hercules to the point where I still know most of the lines and songs (which is saying something because I have a ridiculously bad memory).

I know many people won’t agree (nothing new there ha!), but these are my top 5 reasons why I love this movie so much:

1) Greek Mythology

It’s an ancient Greek Mythology class in a nutshell! Sure, Disney did the Disney thing they always do by adapting the story quite a bit, but if you listen closely, you’ll catch a ton of amazing jokes that are just ridiculously punny.

2) The Greek Muses

I wish I could say “nuff said”, but I don’t think that would do ma’ girls any justice. With the intro song, you instantly know what they are all about and they set the mood and tone for the whole film–and they carry it all the way through! That’s a huge task, one that they accomplish with seemingly graceful ease. Not to mention the gospel sound! As a none-church-going gal, I’ve gotta say, the Muses are awe inspiring with their vocals.

3) Teenage angst

Maybe I saw the film at the most opportune moment for me, when I was feeling exactly the same way Herc did, but the passion and uncertainty with which he delivers his song is just so relatable. Who hasn’t felt out of place? Like they would do almost anything to feel like they belong?

4) Danny DeVito

Danny DeVito – I mean Philoctetes! I have no idea how this film could have been as great as it is with someone else playing Phil, it’s just perfect.

5) Hades

In my opinion, the god with the best character design of them all, Hades is not only class-A sass, but he’s also a villainously super classy villain. Everything from his fire hair, to his smoky robes reeks (see what I did there?) of villainy and the underworld.