Hercules’s journey from “Zero to Hero” is quite complex. In fact, thematically, Hercules may be one of Disney’s greatest films. The Heroic Theme: What’s Amazing about Hercules It deals with a fascinating take on the definition of a Hero.

Several plotlines are expertly woven together. In terms of structure, Hercules is really complex. He chooses her, resolving the romantic subplot and redefining his role and its theme. Leaving Hades utterly defeated, Hercules and Meg ascend to Olympus where Herc learns that he cannot be a god and be with Meg. Herc agrees, and it’s his sacrifice that ascends him into godliness, resolving the True Hero theme. Herc can save her if he can reach her in the River Stix. Hades, seeing his shot at revenge, takes Meg’s soul, and once again leverages it over Herc. Her sacrifice undoes Hades’ deal, and Herc then proceeds to stop the titans, preventing Hades’ take-over, and resolving the main plot. He is all but defeated, when Meg sacrifices herself to save him from a falling pillar. Herc agrees, though, feels betrayed upon learning Meg worked for Hades all along, combining the romantic subplot and main plot together.Īct 3: Hades releases the titans, and powerless, Herc goes off to face them. If Herc gives up his strenght, than Hades will release Meg. Meanwhile, Meg is sent by Hades to uncover weaknesses, where she “Won’t say in Love.” Hades, realizing that their love is actually Herc’s weakness leverages it against Herc. Herc has found his place, but it does not fulfill him. Interestingly, Herc has a new Place in Society, polar opposite to what he was before. Upon success, Herc is catapulted into fame and wealth in the “Zero to Hero” musical montage, though, he has not become a True Hero. Herc and Phil make it to Thebes, where Herc battles the Hyrdra. After Herc leaves, it is revealed that Meg is an agent of Hades, putting her in direct conflict with Herc. Meg is unimpressed by Herc, but finds his naivety charming, creating a romantic subplot. On the way, he saves a damsel who wasn’t really in distress. I also suspect a secondary theme of Place in Society.Īct 2: Hercules meets Phil (who desires to be a Hero by association), and together they prep Herc for becoming a Hero through a musical montage “One Last Hope.” Now, properly trained, and just a bit older, Phil and Herc head to Thebes to prove himself a hero. Act 1 is almost entirely exposition and characterization of both Hercules and Hades. Act 1 ends with the number “Go the Distance” and the establishment of the Hero Theme. As an awkward teen, Hercules discovers that he is the son of Gods, and to become a God himself, the subplot, or B-Story*, he must become a True Hero. Hercules is cast out of Olympus and raised by mortals. The assassination doesn’t quite work, unbeknownst to Hades. This establishes the central conflict – Hercules vs Hades. Hades attempts to kill the son of Zues as a baby by turning him mortal because Hercules will thwart his plan to overthrow Olympus in 18 years (such a specific number). The “Gospel Truth” is an homage to the classical Greek chours modernized with a gospel spin and attempts to set the tone, a modernized classic. So what went wrong and what went right? Technical Breakdown of HerculesĪct 1: The story opens with the Muses, filling in a narrator role, and singing to the audience that this will be the story of Hercules (very similar to the opening of Beauty and the Beast, but more like Aladdin). It kinda tanked at the box office, but honestly, it’s not that bad. But, I’m actually really glad that I did. I mostly added it to our watch list because it’s streaming on Netflix. Even weirder for a Disney animated feature. So, Disney’s Hercules is a bit of a weird movie.

Hades hercules we get it