Due largely to its comedic approach, Disney’s animated movieHerculesnaturally took a number of creative liberties when it comes to Greek mythology.Herculestells the story of Zeus’s son, gifted with superhuman strength, trying to prove himself a hero worthy of becoming a god. As part of The Disney Renaissance,Herculescombines classic storytelling, bold animation, and Broadway-style musical numbers. Alan Menken, who composed the music forThe Little Mermaid,Beauty and the Beast, andAladdin, createdthe songs inHerculeswhich tell the story in a fun, stylized way.
Herculesis known for its comedic tone and whimsical storytelling. Though the story is set in ancient Greece, the movie is filled with modern references. From the very opening narration, the Muses, styled as a contemporary gospel choir, taking over with a “lighten up, dude,” letting the audience know this isn’t a stodgy “Greek tragedy.”The main characters ofHerculesmake many modern references, and these deliberate anachronisms make it a fun re-watch, filled with contemporary pop culture Easter eggs. The current references combined with the period setting giveHerculesits playful, distinctive tone.
10Hercules’ Training Montage References The Karate Kid
When Hercules (Tate Donovan) learns he needs to become a “true hero” to ascend to Olympus, his dad Zeus points him to Greece’s best trainer: Philoctetes a.k.a. Phil (Danny DeVito). Phil is a crotchety satyr (half-man, half-goat) who reluctantly agrees to train Hercules. This leads to a montage set to the song “One Last Shot” where he drills Hercules through heroic training exercises.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Disney’s Hercules
Disney’s Hercules is pure animated gold, but even so many years later there are facts and bits of trivia you might not know about it.
In a blink-and-miss-it moment, the “One Last Shot” montage pays homage to a classic shot from another training montage:The Karate Kid. Set against a sunset, Hercules and Phil do the famous “crane kick” fromThe Karate Kid. This reference reinforces that, like Daniel LaRusso, Hercules is an underdog on a journey that will transform him physically and spiritually. Connecting Hercules’ journey to other famous training montages serves as an effective shorthand, makingHerculesfeel modern and relatable despite being about the son of the king of the gods.
9Phil Describes Thebes As The Grecian New York City
When Hercules is ready to put his training to use, Phil takes him to Thebes, a major Greek city. Phil calls Thebes “The Big Olive,” quipping “if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.” These are overt references to New York City, nicknamed The Big Apple. Once they arrive in Thebes, they cross a busy thoroughfare with pedestrians and chariots. The flow of traffic is controlled by a vase with a green man walking on one side and a red hand stop on the other, a clear nod to a modern stoplight.
These allusions to a modern metropolitan city add a lot of humor but also context. Without having to know anything about ancient history or mythology, viewers can see the difference between Thebes and the small town Hercules was in before. The sight gag of the stop sign and Phil’s description are funny but also grounding for audiences. Hearing the locals complain about crime rates in Thebes or discuss possibly moving to Athens is a humorously topical touch.
8“Somebody Call IX-I-I!"
Hades (James Woods,) determined to kill him, lures Hercules into a trap. Hades’ two minions, Pain (Bobcat Goldthwait) and Panic (Matt Frewer,) feign being children trapped beneath a boulder. They’re calling for help, yelling: “Somebody call IX-I-I!” Of course, with his preternatural strength, he frees them easily.
This joke is a clever marriage of modern and Greek systems. In Roman numerals, which is what the characters inHerculeswould use, IX-I-I is 9-1-1. Asking anyone to make a phone call, let alone a 911 call, in ancient Greece is anachronistic, but the subtlety of the joke captures the spirit of the entire movie.Herculesis full of fun Easter eggs for observant viewers.
7Hades Treats Competition Like Modern Sporting Events
Hades sends creature after creature to kill Hercules, but Hercules outmatches them all. Hades is clearly a sports fan, because he commentates the battles using contemporary sports lingo. Hades uses the 1980s boxing phrase: “Let’s get ready to rumble!” when Hercules encounters the Hydra. Hades also says, “It’s only halftime,” “My favorite part of the game: sudden death,” “Game. Set. Match.” and “So much for the preliminaries, and now onto the main event!”
Why Disney’s Hercules Changed The Original Hades Plan
Disney’s Hercules is so humorous because James Woods plays the hot-headed, wise-cracking Hades, not Jack Nicholson like Disney first intended.
Hercules fighting the Hydra is a very tense scene. Hercules hacks off head after head, but even more grow back, rapidly filling the screen. This could be too intense for a kid’s movie, but Hades’ commentary and glee about the battle provide a necessary comic relief. As King of the Underworld, Hades is portrayed as a fast-talking antagonist, blending humor, menace, and charisma in a way that feels threatening but still appropriate for younger audiences thatHerculeswas targeting.
6Pegasus’ Draft Causes A Constellation To Have A Marilyn Monroe Moment
Herculeshas a classic Disney animal sidekick: a flying horse, Pegasus. At one point, Hercules is flying Pegasus, and they fly so high they brush past the stars. As they fly past a constellation of a woman in a dress, the draft from Pegasus’s wings blows up her skirt. This is an homage to Marilyn Monroe’s similar moment in The Seven Year Itch.
A world with literal gods is naturally heightened, but the sight gag of flying so high they touch the stars is a magical moment. Any nod to Marilyn Monroe is fun, but this happens when Hercules is quickly becoming the most famous person in Greece. Referencing Monroe, who was the biggest star of her time but still unhappy, is foreshadowing that although Hercules is gaining fame as a hero, he has not yet achieved the emotional breakthrough needed to become the ‘true hero’ he aspires to be.
5Hercules’ “Zero To Hero” Montage References Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
“Zero to Hero” narrates Hercules’ rise to fame and fortune over a montage. In one brief moment, Hercules and Pegasus press their hand and hoof prints into wet cement. This is a nod to a celebrity tradition at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. The Chinese Theatre invites the Hollywood elite to leave their handprints and write a message. Hercules even addresses his signature “To Sid,” a reference to the theatre’s founder, Sid Grauman.
This is a sly, quick gesture to a longstanding Hollywood tradition. For anyone who catches it, this contextualizes how big of an impact Hercules was, bridging ancient Greece with modern celebrity culture. It’s a visual joke that could also be a small wink to the Oscars voters, sinceHerculeswould go on to be nominated for Best Original Song for “Go the Distance.”
4Hercules Treats Its Hero Like a Modern Celebrity
In the “Zero to Hero” montage, Hercules gains fame and acclaim with each creature he defeats. The movie portrays the classic Greek hero to be akin to a modern celebrity, complete with merchandise. Hercules gets his own brand of sneakers, Air-Hercs, the Hellenic Air Jordans. Hercules endorses everything from a “Grecian Express” credit card to a branded drink, “Herculade.” Fans ask for him to chisel his autograph onto their stone tablets. As the Muses sing, “From appearance fees and royalties, our Herc had cash to burn.”
Disney’s Hercules: 10 Things That Would Be Different If The Movie Was Mythologically Accurate
If Disney’s Hercules was true to the myth, Phil would be a centaur, Hades would not be the villain and the movie would have a different title!
Condensing Hercules’ famous Twelve Labors into one catchy musical montage was a stroke of genius. Contextualizing Hercules as Greece’s Leonardo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt is a funny reference point. Satirizing celebrity endorsements and over-the-top merchandising has only become more relevant with time. The comical ease with which Hercules defeats the beasts combined with Gospel musical backing perfectly captures the indelible tone ofHercules.
3A Tour Guide Mentions A Gift Shop At Hercules’ Themed Estate
After Hercules becomes “the most famous person in Greece,” the movie shows an establishing shot of his sprawling estate. Off-screen, a tour guide is saying that next up is the “Pecs and Flex Gift Shop, where you may pick up the great hero’s 30-minute workout ‘Buns of Bronze.’” The “Buns of Bronze” is ancient Greece’s version of the popular 1980s home workout video,Buns of Steel.
Herculescontinues to show its title character like a modern-day star by turning his estate into a tourist spot, like Elvis’ Graceland or Dolly Parton’s Dollywood. The addition of a guided tour gives the impression of a theme park. This clever framing helps the audience contextualize his megastardom in relatable terms.
2Hercules’ Script Antiquates Modern Phrases
Herculescleverly applies a Grecian twist to common contemporary phrases. Instead of saying “oh my God” or “honest to God,” characters inHerculessay “oh my Gods” or “honest-to-Zeus.” One clever example is when a character calls something “the best thing since they put a pocket in pita,” which is a reworking of the phrase “the best thing since sliced bread.”
These loving details are not only funny but also help create an immersive and distinctive world.Herculesis such a unique blend of a contemporary feeling in an ancient world. These linguistic flourishes are a delightful treat for eagle-eyed viewers. The movie treats mythological and language with a playful irreverence.
1Hercules Sneaks In A Few Disney Easter Eggs
During the song “I Won’t Say I’m In Love,” the Muses arrange themselves in a way that strongly resembles the singing busts on Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride. At another point, Hercules is getting his portrait painted, and he is draped in an animal pelt that is revealed to be Scar from The Lion King.
Herculesis a Disney movie, and Disney does synergy better than anyone else. Disney is well-known for planting Easter eggs across its various projects. The meta-references add a layer of humor and makeHerculesfeel like a part of the Disney universe. The movie’s self-aware skewering of merchandising might even be a subtle nod to Disney’s own practices. The Disney Easter eggs inHerculesreinforce the movie’s playful tone, which shows Hercules as both a classical and pop culture hero.
Hercules
Cast
Hercules follows the journey of the titular character, the son of Zeus, as he embarks on a quest to prove himself a true hero after being turned mortal by Hades. Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, the film is a blend of mythology and animation.
