Hercules (1997)
★★★★½ — Hercules (1997)
Hercules (1997) was the ninth feature of the Disney Renaissance, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, the pair responsible for The Little Mermaid (1989) and Aladdin (1992), making them among the most reliable architects of that era's commercial and critical recovery for the studio. Produced on a budget of $85 million, the film draws loosely from Greek mythology, though Disney's version takes considerable liberties with the source material, softening and reshaping the legend for family audiences. The production leaned heavily into a gospel-inflected musical style, with songs written by Alan Menken and David Zippel, and a visual style inspired by the angular illustrations of British artist Gerald Scarfe, giving the film a noticeably different look from its Renaissance predecessors.
One of Disney’s absolute best, and criminally underrated in the pantheon. I’d put this up there with The Jungle Book as one of the most stylish, entertaining, and flat-out fun entries in the animated canon. From the moment the Muses start singing that gospel powered prologue, you know you’re in for something different. It’s got the heart of a classic myth, the flair of a Broadway show, and just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek humor to keep it light without ever losing its emotional punch. "Hercules' Theme (Go the Distance)" is already legendary, but let’s not sleep on "Where I Belong" during the final battle. That song hits harder than Zeus’ thunderbolt and might be one of the most underrated Disney ballads out there. The animation during that sequence is stunning. Emotional. Goosebump-inducing. And who could forget the supporting cast (Danny DeVito as Phil is gold, and James Woods as Hades). He doesn’t just chew scenery, he devours it. The whole film crackles with energy, thanks in no small part to the brilliant animation style, which feels like a living Greek amphora came to life with a modern beat. It’s not just about brawn or battles, it earns its heart by asking what it truly means to be a hero. And in the end, Hercules proves it’s not about being born a legend, but about choosing to do the right thing, even when no one’s watching. A near-perfect blend of myth, music, and mayhem. One of my all-time favourites, and still gets replayed at our house every few months.
Rating: ★★★★½ | Year: 1997 | Watched: 2025-05-14
Where to watch (UK)
Stream: Disney Plus
Rent: Rakuten TV
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Physical: Amazon UK
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Related on Movies With Macca
More from Ron Clements: The Little Mermaid (1989) · Moana (2016)
More from the 1990s: Lessons of Darkness (1992) · Shinjuku Boys (1995) · Blue (1993) · Cemetery Man (1994)
More animation: Fantastic Planet (1973) · Alice in Wonderland (1951) · Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain (2024) · Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II - The Ashes of Rage (2025)
More family: Alice in Wonderland (1951) · Wonder (2017) · Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005) · Anastasia (1997)
