Hercules

UPC: 717951008732

Studio: Walt Disney Video

MPAA Rating: G   Contains:null

Summary: Disney's animation team dipped into the rich well of ancient mythology for this musical comedy. The son of Greek gods Zeus (voice of Rip Torn) and Hera (Samantha Eggar), Hercules (voice of Josh Keaton) is stolen as a boy by the minions of Hades (voice of James Woods), lord of the underworld. Forced to live among humans, Hercules is turned into a half-god and half-mortal after drinking a forbidden potion brewed by Hades' right hand men, Pain (voice of Bob Goldthwait) and Panic (voice of Matt Frewer). Now Hercules has the remarkable strength of a god, but is trapped in the body of a human, and before he learns how to use his power properly he goes through a typically adolescent awkward period. In order to become a god and return to his home on Mount Olympus, Hercules must prove himself a true hero on Earth. With the assistance of Philotes (voice of Danny De Vito), a plucky satyr known as "Phil," the grown-up Hercules (voice of Tate Donovan) learns to use his strength to his advantage and becomes a famous and benevolent protector of those around him, successfully battling a variety of gods and monsters. However, Hades, wanting to cut Hercules down to size, sends his secret weapon after him -- Megara (voice of Susan Egan), a seductively beautiful woman under Hades' control, who is to win Hercules' heart and render him helpless against the forces of the underworld. Acclaimed British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe served as production designer for this project, while Alan Menken wrote the musical score. Incidentally, for the Spanish language version of the film, Latin pop singer Ricky Martin provided the singing voice of Hercules, two years before he became a chart-topping sensation in America with his hit single "Livin' la Vida Loca." ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Children's/Family

Awards: Best Original Song – null Best Original Song – null Best Song – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Song – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Original Song – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Original Song – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Animation – Los Angeles Film Critics Association

Features: "The Making of Hercules" featurette
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
THX-certified
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1

Hercules

Format: DVD

Release Date: 08/01/2000

Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Vistavision

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 93 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French,Spanish

Subtitles: English

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Derek Armstrong

As popping with winking self-parody as anything Disney has ever put onscreen, Hercules is a delicious send-up of the hero worship heaped on professional athletes, as well as the exuberant and often ridiculous cross-promotional marketing campaigns with which the studio is quite familiar. Using the type of anachronisms that served as a wellspring of sophisticated humor in Aladdin, Hercules turns its title character into an overnight sensation and media darling, complete with his own line of action figures and breakfast cereals. This type of winning self-awareness carries the picture through the familiar story and crisp set pieces that have become Disney's "if it ain't broke don't fix it" formula for success. The wonderfully angular animation jumps off the screen, and some of Disney's best vocal work yet adds contagious giddiness to this breakneck adventure. James Woods stands out as an alternately sarcastic and enraged Hades, while Susan Egan's readings drip with the kind of eyeball-rolling feminist wit that makes her one of Disney's strongest female characters. The studio's knack for casting comic relief continues its winning stride with minions Bobcat Goldthwaite and Matt Frewer, as well as the pint-sized satyr that's a perfect visual incarnation of the pint-sized actor who voices him (Danny De Vito). Hercules deserved to scratch out more than its $100 million domestic take, given the fertile world of Greek myths it conjures with such bursting colors and lampoonish sensibilities. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Ron Clements  Director 
Ron Clements  Producer 
Ron Clements  Screenwriter 
Alan Menken  Composer (Music Score) 
John Musker  Director 
John Musker  Producer 
John Musker  Screenwriter 
Alice Dewey  Producer 
Donald McEnery  Screenwriter 
Irene Mecchi  Screenwriter 
Bob Shaw  Screenwriter 
Tate Donovan  Actor 
Josh Keaton  Actor 
Roger Bart  Actor 
Danny DeVito  Actor 
James Woods  Actor 
Susan Egan  Actor 
Bobcat Goldthwait  Actor 
Matt Frewer  Actor 
Rip Torn  Actor 
Samantha Eggar  Actor 
Barbara Barrie  Actor 
Hal Holbrook  Actor 
Paul Shaffer  Actor 
Amanda Plummer  Actor 
Carole Shelley  Actor 
Paddi Edwards  Actor 
Charlton Heston  Actor 

Country: USA