Hercules (1997)
Based on the Greek myth Heracles (Roman name, Hercules), the son of Zeus.
Intro song by the Muses, goddesses of the arts and proclaimers of heroes (“Long Ago…”) who briefly recap the story of how Zeus defeated the Titans and locked them away (“The Gospel Truth I”).
In Ancient Greece on Mount Olympus, the gods Zeus and Hera have a son named Hercules and create a winged horse named Pegasus to grow up with Hercules. While the other gods are joyful, Zeus' wicked brother Hades plots to overthrow Zeus and rule Mount Olympus (“The Gospel Truth II”). Through the Fates, Hades learns that in eighteen years, a planetary alignment will allow him to free the Titans to conquer Olympus, but only if Hercules does not interfere. Hades sends his imp minions, Pain and Panic, to murder Hercules, providing them with a potion that can strip a god of immortality. The two kidnap the baby, take him down to the valley and feed him the potion. However, before Hercules drinks the last drop, two farmers pass nearby and startle the demons, causing them to drop the bottle. Hercules is stripped of immortality but retains his god-like strength. Pain and Panic attempt to murder the baby by turning into snakes, but Hercules easily overpowers them. The pair decide not to report their failure to Hades. Due to Hercules being stripped of his immortality, he is unable to be returned to Mount Olympus. The two farmers, Amphitryon and Alcmene, become Hercules’ adoptive parents and raise him as their own (“The Gospel Truth III”).
Years later, the teenage Hercules becomes an outcast for his inability to control his strength. After Hercules’ accidentally destroys the marketplace and being berated by the people, Hercules wonders about his origins (“Go the Distance”). Amphitryon and Alcmene tell Hercules about how he was adopted by them and he decides to visit the Temple of Zeus for answers. Once there, a statue of Zeus comes to life and reveals all to Hercules, telling him that he can earn back his godhood (and return to Olympus, to his family) by becoming a "true hero." Zeus re-gifts Pegasus to Hercules and sends them to find the satyr Philoctetes (Phil) who is known for training heroes. Phil has retired in frustration after none of his past students managed to earn a constellation in the sky. Phil agrees to train Hercules after seeing his strength, and with persuasion from Zeus (“One Last Hope”).
After completing the training, Phil and Hercules head towards Thebes. On the way, they meet Megara (Meg), a sarcastic damsel with whom Hercules falls in love after saving her from the centaur Nessus. Unbeknownst to Hercules, Meg is Hades' slave, trying to win her freedom, and was actually trying to recruit Nessus. When Meg mentions what happened, Hades realizes that Pain and Panic failed him and plots to finish off Hercules properly.
Arriving in Thebes, Hercules is met with skepticism by the locals, but then Meg appears, saying that two boys are trapped under a large rock in a gorge. Hercules lifts the rock and rescues the boys, unaware that they are Pain and Panic in disguise, and unwittingly releases the Hydra. Much to Hades's chagrin, Hercules defeats the monster and becomes a celebrated hero. Hercules defeats many other monsters, many of which are sent by Hades, and his popularity and fortune grow (“Zero to Hero”). Hades forces Meg to help him discover Hercules’ weakness, reminding Meg that she had sold her soul to Hades previously to save a lover who then left her. Hercules meets with Zeus who tells him that he is not yet a "true" hero and refuses to explain what that means.
Saddened and frustrated, Hercules spends a day out with Meg, and they start falling in love (“Won’t Say I’m in Love”). Hades learns of this and plans on using Meg as hostage. Phil overhears the conversations between Hades and Meg but believes that Meg is intentionally tricking Hercules. Phil tries to warn Hercules but Hercules refuses to listen, hurting Phil, who then leaves. Moments after, on the eve of Hades’ takeover, he holds Meg hostage and offers her freedom in exchange for Hercules surrendering his powers for a day. On the condition that Meg will be unharmed, Hercules accepts and is heartbroken after learning that Meg was working for Hades all along. Hades unleashes the Titans (Rock Titan, Ice Titan, Fire Titan, Wind Titan), who climb Olympus and defeat the gods, while the Cyclops goes to Thebes to kill Hercules. Hercules uses his wits to defeat the Cyclops. Unfortunately, during the battle, Meg is mortally injured (while saving Hercules from a falling building). This breaks Hades's promise that Meg would not be harmed, so Hercules regains his strength. Hercules and Pegasus fly to Olympus, free the gods and vanquish the Titans, but Meg dies before he can return to her.
To recover Meg's soul, Hercules goes to the underworld and risks his life by leaping into the River Styx. Thanks to his heroic act, Hercules's godhood/immortality is restored while in the river, and he is able to reach Meg's soul and save her. Hercules knocks Hades into the river, where he is trapped by other spirits. After reviving Meg, she and Hercules are summoned to Olympus, where Zeus and Hera welcome their son home, saying that he has proved himself a "true hero" through the "strength of his heart." However, rather than join the gods there, Hercules chooses to forgo his godhood and remain on Earth with Meg. The heroes then return to Thebes, where they watch Zeus form a constellation in Hercules' honor (“A Star Is Born”).
TRIVIA
Visual Style
The look of the film is based on character concept art by Gerald Scarfe and ancient Greek art.
Music
Features music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Dave Zippel
Easter Egg(s)
While a painter is painting Hercules; he is wearing an animal fur of Scar from The Lion King.
Notable Scene(s)
Hydra's multiple heads