As part of The Disney Renaissance,Herculescombines classic storytelling, bold animation, and Broadway-style musical numbers.
Herculesis known for its comedic tone and whimsical storytelling.
Though the story is set in ancient Greece, the movie is filled with modern references.
The current references combined with the period setting giveHerculesits playful, distinctive tone.
Phil (Danny DeVito).
Phil is a crotchety satyr (half-man, half-goat) who reluctantly agrees to train Hercules.
Set against a sunset, Hercules and Phil do the famous crane kick fromThe Karate Kid.
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.
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.
These allusions to a modern metropolitan city add a lot of humor but also context.
The sight gag of the stop sign and Phil’s description are funny but also grounding for audiences.
8Somebody Call IX-I-I!"
Hades (James Woods,) determined to kill him, lures Hercules into a trap.
Theyre 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.
Hades is clearly a sports fan, because he commentates the battles using contemporary sports lingo.
Hades uses the 1980s boxing phrase: Lets get ready to rumble!
when Hercules encounters the Hydra.
Hades also says, Its only halftime, My favorite part of the game: sudden death, Game.
and So much for the preliminaries, and now onto the main event!
Hercules fighting the Hydra is a very tense scene.
Hercules hacks off head after head, but even more grow back, rapidly filling the screen.
At one point, Hercules is flying Pegasus, and they fly so high they brush past the stars.
This is an homage to Marilyn Monroes similar moment in The Seven Year Itch.
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 Graumans 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.
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.
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 Buns of Bronze is ancient Greeces version of the popular 1980s home workout video,Buns of Steel.
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.
These linguistic flourishes are a delightful treat for eagle-eyed viewers.
The movie treats mythological and language with a playful irreverence.
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 movies self-aware skewering of merchandising might even be a subtle nod to Disneys own practices.
Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, the film is a blend of mythology and animation.
