First Time Watching Hercules (1997) - James Woods as Hades??? Lets go!!

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[@beckkarah9443]

We can all agree that Hades is the star of this movie

[@theirishslyeyes]

Hades is a whole mood, and I'm always here for it 🔥

[@a.g.demada5263]

I think it's the only Disney where I prefer the villain

[@QueenOfTheZombieApocalypse]

I would have loved a spin off where he meets and falls for Persephone

[@nobleconsejera5278]

​@@QueenOfTheZombieApocalypse Oh, yes!

[@StoryMing]

Yes; but- Meg, though…

[@baileyross8279]

@18:53 "somebody call IX-I-I" is the greatest joke

[@baileyross8279]

They butchered the actual mythology, but this is one of my all time fav movies 😅🥰

[@83gemm]

They always put their own spin on history/mythology/literature. I mean, the true story of Pocahontas is…. grim. But I still love the Disney version. And then there’s Hunchback. The music from Hercules is so freaking stellar. I adore this movie.

[@kellharris2491]

You know I am actually not mad about it. If you think about mythology was always stories told and retold both to entertain and to teach some moral lesson. So I am totally okay with it. I watched this. And I also grew up with Xena and Heracles. And it just made me love mythology. So I think it does more good then harm.

[@darthrange1]

To be fair, even if you actually study Greek Mythology, it's a jumbled mess that makes even the most confusing franchise's lore (Star Wars) look simple. There are about 11 different time-period stories, and basically 3 possible accounts that range from absolutely ridiculous (Like Zeus raping women as a swan) to slightly more believable, but the most believable records were recorded by a guy almost 1000 years later (Herodotus) which flies in the face of pretty every historical accuracy measurement. That all being said, I know the pretty common "inaccuracies" of the movie. The big one being that Hercules is the son of Zeus and Hera, instead of you know, Zeus, being Zeus and screwing every woman within sight... Also the fact that he is even called Hercules instead of Heracles is a big one. Other then that, I don't really see a huge issue when it comes to "accuracy" sure Herc didn't really get involved with his quest of the Twelve Labors (I mean they did reference that in the montage "A Star is Born" song.) and obviously his fate isn't the same. I think in terms of it being a Disney movie, they really couldn't have really gone more accurate without swinging into really really REALLY inappropriate stuff, that wouldn't have even flown back in the 90's. They got away with so many subtle adult jokes and references that I'm shocked to this day that it is still airing on D+ without a "woke recut".

[@kikofernandez9184]

@@darthrange1 I would prefer to see a more accurate story to be honest, is normal to change some things for a kids movie but i feel like some details could have been done better, as much as i love hades, hera should have been the bad one. Or maybe do another greek story that can be better shape. But yeah i agree there no much family friendly in a sexual active, not wanted kid that kills his family and made up with his cousin

[@darthrange1]

@@kikofernandez9184 I mean I'll be honest, there aren't a lot of greek myths that end on a "good" note. Perseus is arguably the only Greek Hero who really even has a "happy" ending. Most Greek myths are tragic, sexual, and downright absurdities used to keep a population under control. The issue with Hera being the Villain (which would have been more accurate) is that you would need to explain why...which brings up Zeus's infidelity, and then you suddenly have soccer moms boycotting the movie. Ultimately ALL classic Disney animations suffer from this lack of accuracy. For example... Little Mermaid - Creepy story about sea foam, and killing the prince... Beauty and the Beast - Merchant sells his youngest of 12 daughters to the Beast as payment for him taking shelter. Cinderella - Step sisters cut off their toes and heels to fit into the slipper, then have their eyes pecked out by doves at the wedding... Hunchback - Quasimodo is ordered to kidnap Esmerelda for Frolo's sexual fantasies, but it saved by Phebus, who she falls in love with, Frolo then kills Phebus, frames Esmerelda and has her killed. Sleeping Beauty - By far and away the worst one... "Beauty" aka Talia is pricked by flax and falls into a deep sleep, is abandoned by her father and left to rot...time passes and a King passes the abandoned house, enters it to find his hunting falcon, sees Talia asleep...impregnates her, leaves...then she is awoken later by twins who have sucked the flax splinter out of her finger...

[@Sovreign071]

It's heartwarming that no matter how much Hercules works to get to Mt. Olympus, he never forgets the parents who raised him. Not only does he set them up for life during the "Zero to Hero" sequence, but the cape he wears is the shawl his mother gave him when he started his journey!

[@beckkarah9443]

That scene where baby Herc beats the crap out of those snakes: in the actual Mythology, those snakes were sent by Hera (Herc's loving mother in the film), who actually was not his real mother and was angered by Zeus's infidelity.

[@kayleearafinwiel8186]

Yeah, in the original myth his birth mother was his adoptive mother in this movie (She is with her real husband though. Although they were royalty, not farmers, in the myth)

[@ronweber1402]

Ya, Greek gods were a rapey, incestuous and homicidal lot which isn't a good look in a kid's movie so changes had to be made.

[@kinagrill]

And instead of taking it out on ZEUS; she goes psychomode on every single adulterous offspring of Zeus' instead.

[@ronweber1402]

@@kinagrill The Greek goddesses sure harboured and nourished that internalized misogyny.

[@patriciop18]

I don’t exactly think the part where Meg is talking about men not taking no for an answer dates the movie as it’s still very true. But I love this movie overall it was great!

[@bidishah]

Came here to comment exactly this, where does he get that from??? Consent is still such an issue nowadays

[@jonathanfitzharris4196]

I was about to say, she's probably one of the most progressive disney females

[@livvioletta690]

So true. Sadly still very up to date

[@NoelleMar]

Right lol. Was certainly true (looks at watch, calendar, sun dial) “then” as well. There’s plenty of terminology in the movie that dates it to the er wait what era does Megara seem to live in? The 1940s? Femme fatale style?

[@sarahmoller7308]

😢😢 ...Meg's first man took her sacrifice for granted and screwed her over and here is Hercules - giving up his immortality for her. 😭💜

[@Xenosaurian]

That is EPIC! What a love story!

[@jlerrickson]

Little did she know, Megara might have been better off heartbroken than getting involved in the politics and petty vendettas of the gods. RIP Meg and her children

[@tariqthomas9090]

Lol I always like to think this is a completely different story. Hera is nowhere near the hateful goddess she is in mythology and Herc is her legitimate son. I think Meg is pretty safe this time.😅

[@kpednault]

The Muses are some of the best singers in Disney history!

[@LowbrowDeluxe]

"That's Phil's boy!" gets me every time.

[@kellharris2491]

Meg was awesome as a female lead. Susen Egen actually has done very well in Broadway. She has often played Belle in Beauty and the Beast on Disney's Broadway. She also voiced the character of Rose Quartz/Pink Diamond on Steven Universe. She also sings on that show. A very talented lady.

[@comicenthusiast]

They basically made the Disney version of Hercules almost exactly like Superman. Two farmers find an abandoned baby, and raise him as their own but reluctantly tell him of his origins where he came from above. And then ventures to a temple/fortress where he learns of his heritage, and becomes even more buff and jacked and wears a cape, and falls in love with a sassy independent woman lol

[@NoelleMar]

That’s true lol. I was wondering if that’s where they got his pure personality?!

[@Saphthings]

This movie is awesome, but please understand that basically the only thing this has to do with Hercules is the name, strength... and the fact that Zeus is his father. Practically everything else is different lol. The real lore is essentially Zeus slept with a mortal, Hera was upset at the bastard of her husband, made him go insane, kill his whole family, wife and kids, and then in order to atone he had to do these big challenges. Then by doing the challenges attained godhood. This is a VERY sanitized version of Hercules lol, but idc, it was fun!

[@HunterOfTriedSouls]

I am, and have always been obsessed with, Megara. She's so gorgeous and sarcastic, and overall an interesting character!

[@Charharr]

I feel Zero to Hero is up there with the very best of Disney songs. Honestly anytime the muses sing it still gives me goosebumps!

[@meredithmiller7016]

Easily my favorite animated disney villain. And yes that is Scar! You'd be surprised how many people don't catch that. I'm excited for Zootopia for multiple reasons but I don't want to spoil anything just in case.

[@zacharyjoy8724]

Zazu was right. He DOES make a very handsome rug.

[@nickthedreamer4434]

"Was that...Scar?" To be fair, Zazu did say he'd make a very handsome throw-rug...

[@Xenosaurian]

This movie is a fricking masterpeice, and yeah, Meg is an integral character to the entire story and the whole "Go The Distance" song is actually about Hercules' self-sacrificial love for her (which is also what Michael Bolton's version in the credits was conveying so powerfully), and it's absolutely beautiful!

[@bobkatfan2013]

James Woods loves playing Hades, he plays him whenever he can.

[@katwebbxo]

Some of my earliest memories are watching this on VHS and reenacting scenes with my cousins lol. I always thought Meg was an awesome unofficial Disney princess and Hades is hilarious. Great music too. 💙 Also, Pegasus is adorable lol.

[@AdorianDelmore]

The funny thing is that Hades is not the bad guy in many mythology stories. Zeuse is mostly the worst person.

[@a.g.demada5263]

Don't forget Héra who's not the loving mother as showed

[@setsu-chon]

The whole mythology is screwed up but I still love this movie

[@a.g.demada5263]

@@setsu-chon yes, that's true. Fun fact : one of the statues in the garden during Meg's song really exist (I saw it with my owns eyes)

[@circuitgamer7759]

Another bit of the Scar reference - in the Lion King, Zazu states that Scar would "make a very nice throw rug", which is apparently exactly what happened to him here :)

[@mutantx2372]

There 's just something so special about the Disney renaissance.

[@crimsonknight7011]

Zues is voiced by Rip Torn who was in Men in Black as Zed, and Dodgeball as Patches O’holihan

[@zaxlee01]

As greeks, we are addicted to this movie, not only because of the movie but the DUB greek version is the most hilarious translation ever.

[@frostfiredirewolf8517]

Holy cow! I never noticed that Meg did a double take when she noticed it was a Cupid statue of ALL things for her to bump there. at around 25:45

[@cometgirl217]

I’m a MASSIVE James Woods fan, so.. THIS movie + an awesome reactor who name-checks him in the title = automatic like! 👍

[@PedroCastillo_1980]

Amazing classic Hercules with the voices of Tate Donovan, Danny DeVito, James Woods, Rip Torn and Charlton Heston as the opening narrator. The music videos of the film is the songs "Go the Distance" performed by Michael Bolton and the spanish version "No importa la Distancia" performed by Ricky Martin. Thank you bro great reaction👍👍👍👍

[@kokkolintu3528]

Yaay, I've been waiting for this reaction, one of my favorites! It's a bit weird to me how "toned down" some of the jokes are in the english version VS finnish version. (For example, Phil in english: "Nymphs. They can't keep their hands off me!" VS Phil in finnish: "Nymphs. You see, I'm a nymphomaniac!") I knew you'd like Hades and Meg, they are the best characters in this 😁AND you have Zootopia reaction coming soon?? 🤩🤩

[@crimsonknight7011]

Disney had a full cartoon series of Hercules in college while training under Phil. It was actually pretty decent because they got to explore a lot of Greek mythology including Prometheus. Also in one episode they had a cross over where Jafar and Hades team up to take down Hercules and Aladdin

[@ProcrasTina]

One of the best Disney soundtracks. The muses are 🔥

[@cinemacodey]

I agree with you. I grew up watching Xena the Warrior Princess and the tv show Hercules the Legendary Journey so that's Hercules to me, Kevin Sorboe. I loved Greek mythology as a kid and definitely was excited to see this. I loved Meg and Hades but didn't really care for Hercules. I had a birthday cake for like my 7th birthday that had Meg on it. I also remember having the Hercules cup that looked just like the one Panic was drinking from I think it was a Happy Meal toy or something.

[@bidishah]

Hercules had 12 Labours to complete, not 7. They show some of them in the Zero to Hero montage.

[@lilyth682]

Hercules' songs are one of the best ones of Disney cinematography🧡🔥

[@CosmicNiffler2102]

Let's goooo! Love this movie, love your commentaries!

[@carlyojean4757]

Mate, as an avid Harry Potter Fan now that you mention it I honestly can't unsee a few parallels now. 1. Harry/Hercules both loose their parents at the hands of Voldemort/Hades. 2.Harry/Hercules are thereafter forced to grow up (at least initially) away from the god/Wizarding world without knowledge of the world in which they belong. 3. A prophecy to thwart Voldermort/Hades that, when heard by each, causes both to actually set into motion the self fulfilment of that very prophecy in their attempts to thwart it. 4. The various monsters. A reference to a three headed monster/fluffy the three headed dog. A proud centaur with a superiority complex in the forest. Even to some degree Pegasus and Buckbeak. A literal pit of water with dead/inferi. (I'm mindful however J.K Rowling drew a lot from classical mythology in her writings). Add to that break out of all the "monsters" from prison to aid Voldermort/Hades in battle. 5. The feisty and vivacious nature of the Hero's red headed love interest. Meg/Ginny (at least in the books). 6. Hercules/Harry's willingness to sacrifice their own mortality at the request of Voldermort/Hades which then backfires and in effect, enables Harry/Hercules to defeat Voldermort/Hades for good. 7. Hercules/Harry in death (arguably) are given the opportunity to rejoin their families in the heavens yet both choose to return to their own mortality (albeit for different reasons). 8. Snape and Megs Character Arc: Meg's arc: She initially works for Hades, has a change of heart early on (hides her true feelings) but her character Arc ends in self-sacrifice in the name of love. Snape: He initially works for Voldemort, has a change of heart early on, )hides his true feelings for lily) but his Character Arc ends in self sacrifice in the name of love. 8. Even Pain and Panic, in name at least, bear to some degree the defining traits of Barty Crouch Jr/ Bellatrix (Pain) and Wormtail (Panic). Clearly there are huge differences as Disney's Hercules is ultimately the story of the Hero's journey which in this case is defined by his own love story. Harry Potter, whilst also the story of a Hero's Journey instead culminates with the twist of the anti-hero's "love story". Mate, with that one "Voldermort" my mind has been blown! 😂

[@miristollar7912]

I am surprised I have no recollection of this movie. Now I'm questioning myself whether I did see it as a child or not. Thank you for the opportunity to watch this 😁

[@mycroft16]

Disney always takes liberties with stories... but hey, they're creative people trying to take some really dark stories in most cases and bring them to families. So it's understandable. They keep the general idea... and they've all been quite a lot of fun. This is one of the better. James Woods as Hades is utterly brilliant casting. That voice is so perfect for that character it's scary. "fine print boilerplate yadda yadda" lol. The songs are all pretty solid. The Muses are a genius way to do exposition dumps without being boring.

[@brittaneec4876]

“Someone call IXII” is one of my favorite unrated Disney jokes 🤣 it’s 911 in Roman numeral

[@alder96ontwitch88]

All I can think of when I see the Hydra is "GET UP ON THE HYDRAS BACK"

[@shannong014]

“Indoor plumbing.. it’s gunna be big!” is one of my most favorite adult Disney movie lines EVER 🤣

[@sofiamec8767]

LMFAOOOOOO this is my #2 favorite Disney movie! I know all the words and the songs and listen to them on a daily basis haha! So fun watching this with you ❤

[@otakuwolf4ever985]

"Wow, she's into little goat men." Me: That's Aphrodite for you.

[@JW666]

It's the twelve tasks is what Hercules did and Hydra is usually known for its three heads, but yeah - cut one and more grow. And yes, that was Scar. Don't think about it, it's an easter egg ;) =) Not really, 3-4 years later Charlton Heston did a cameo as Dr. Zaius in Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes remake.

[@thejamppa]

All I want is Disney to do Hades live action film with James Woods as lead....

[@AnnieUdrit]

One of the first disney movies I’ve seen as a kid, and it still remains my favourite🧡

[@stormywaters1565]

Love this movie. One of my childhood favorites with a great cast.

[@elismith9014]

This my number 1. Disney movie.

[@eah4452]

the happy meal toys for this were the best!

[@brainstorm9560]

Young Hercules in this is played by Josh Keaton, aka the best Spider-Man ever!!!

[@miristollar7912]

Just announced 2 days ago: season 2 of the Wheel of Time will air on September 1st! Perfect time for me to ask you again to watch this series. 😁

[@jahvonnad1738]

❤Shout out to the Muses always.

[@crimsonknight7011]

That was indeed Scar’s pelt

[@bidishah]

Why on earth would you think Meg's line about men thinking no means yes dates the movie??? Consent is still very much an issue today, come on...

[@AdamfromFWCI]

You have misunderstood what I meant completely. I say it "dates this movie" because this is a kids movie, I'm pretty sure in 2023 there wont be throw away dialogue that dismisses the importance of consent like there was in this movie. Thanks for watching

[@bicknell67]

Hades and the Muses carried this movie to be honest.

[@ARCtheCartoonMaster]

3:47 History's first brony

[@saklee1777]

The best animated Disney movies were definitely the ones in the 90s

[@godabandonedthistimeline]

While I really like this movie it's insanely inaccurate to the myth. The main examples are: Hades is NOT a bad guy who is trying to take over Olympus. He's just happened to be the god of the underworld and he never caused trouble, aside from the abduction of Persephone. Hercules (Heracles in Greek) is a child of Zeus from an affair. So Hera is trying to kill him. The Labours of Hercules are 12. 1. Slay the Nemean lion. 2. Slay the nine-headed Lernaean Hydra. 3. Capture the Ceryneian Hind. 4. Capture the Erymanthian Boar. 5. Clean the Augean stables in a single day. 6. Slay the Stymphalian birds. 7. Capture the Cretan Bull. 8. Steal the Mares of Diomedes. 9. Obtain the girdle of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazon. 10. Obtain the cattle of the three-bodied giant Geryon. 11. Steal three of the golden apples of the Hesperides. 12. Capture and bring back Cerberus. He didn't to them to become immortal but because he had to serve Eurystheus, king of Mycenae. So it was basically his job. Pegasus has nothing to do with Hercules. He's from the myth of Bellerophon Fun fact: According to Euripides' play Herakles, the goddesses Iris and Madness drove him insane so he ended up killing both his wife Megara and their children.

[@eamcbmsc]

I had to pause the video for 5 minutes and laugh after the nutty professor reference 😂😂😂

[@ayaehab]

This movie is one of my favs esp the dub! it's excellent in Arabic! I almost know it by heart lol

[@a.g.demada5263]

The french fub is good too

[@majbrat]

Its a clever comedy for all ages

[@kpednault]

Hades is also the best villain lol

[@Hanmacx]

Hades could have won if he didn't sent that giant cyclops to Hercules that killed Meg 😅

[@Durag__bandit98]

This makes me so ready for Percy jackson

[@vegvisir9276]

granted this was not true to the actual Hercules myth at all but with the "glaring flaw" of the potion, quite often in ancient myths there were obvious problems with curses or whatever. One of the most famous was Achilles heel, it was pretty literate, his mother held him by the heel when he was a baby when he was dipped into the river Styx by his mother to make him immortal, but obviously his mother was holding him by the heel, thus the water didn't touch his skin at his heel making that part of his body vulnerable to harm, which is where he was killed by Paris the Trojan prince with a poisoned arrow.

[@otakuwolf4ever985]

Hades is my absolute FAVORITE Disney Villain.

[@deadpool981]

Higgins!

[@ErisstheGoddessofmanhwas]

Hades actually was the best god .He was not evil at all .

[@maelguiraud3568]

except the whole takeover thing trying to kill his nephew as a baby and make a woman his prostitute sure.

[@a.g.demada5263]

You'll gonna laugh but there was a way to making Meg a goddess : make her drink the nectar (the drink of the gods)

[@kimmymelissa2699]

I believe Zeus is the actor Rip Torn

[@haleymatlock7306]

Meg was one of those characters that awakened many many peoples sexuality 😂😂

[@AdamfromFWCI]

lol she's a real s-lice!

[@saklee1777]

10:33 ya know, if Hera and Zeus really loved Hercules with all their hearts why didn’t they just raise him on earth? If a human sees a god in their true form, the human will turn to dust. Hera and Zeus could’ve easily just gone down to earth and changed their appearance and look like a human and then just raise Hercules on earth. It’s not like it’s that hard for Hera and Zeus to change to look like a human. All the gods can do it and have done it. How do you think the demigods were born? The gods would change to look like humans and would sleep with mortals

[@damaniqphillip2756]

Sweet

[@bluetarantulaproductions6179]

Disney's Superman

[@rygornspectre7142]

How much this movie spits in the face actual mythology still pisses me off to this day. Main problem is ... A. His hame is Heracles, Son of HERA. Hercules is his Roman name. B. The gods are the good guys. Meanwhile it the myths, they slaughtered, raped, tortured, and raided as they wished. C. HADES IS THE BAD GUY? Bitch, he's the nicest of all the gods.

[@bidishah]

One word: Disney. For kids. Showing real Greek Mythology for kids is gonna be tough.

[@kellharris2491]

Well considering that they where stories to begin with that was also changed and adapted to entertain and explain how the world works I don't see it as wrong. Even Socrates in his time thought if there were Gods they wouldn't be like how they where portrayed. These Myths had many different versions. The ones we currently have are just the ones that survived. The point is retellings are a good thing. They are also free game. These myths don't just belong to the current Greek culture. I grew up watching Xena Hercules. Reading Percy Jackson. If anything they created a love for mythology. We need to stop being so sensitive. If you want to make a more 'traditional' version of the story you are free to do that.

[@cataclysmic75]

In the story of Hercules I believe he ends up cheating on or leaving Meg (in the stories). Pretty sure...

[@christopherjunkins]

goatman=satyr

[@kaitlynrosenberger5774]

Megara is Meg or as u we’re calling her Megan

[@gingerDoctorwho]

Try looking for BBC uncle that's where Brett Goldstein who is mcu hercules uncle is a musical comedy

[@stephaniebarnette4321]

Watch percy Jackson and the Olympians : the lightning theif

[@tommcburney301]

Death Battle's Hercules vs. Sun Wukong: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r322qIpshbKaqbc

[@professorannefaire7233]

Phil gets to hook up with Aphrodite? What a reward

[@ronweber1402]

Notice how the nice parents who adopted him and loved him are never seen again after Hercules finds out his father is Zeus? All he does is go chasing the love of a father who was never there for him. Kinda shitty really.

[@kellharris2491]

You do see them again. He gave them a huge and fancy house. You also see him at the end with Meg. I think his story is very realistic. Like a lot of adoptees he feels like he is missing something. He seeks out his heritage and comes into his own as an adult. But later he realizes that he is happy on earth. Yes finding Meg helped but also just learning how to control his strength and being accepted helped. Herc was growing.

[@christopherjunkins]

not looking at IMDB yet... I don't get Zeus as John Goodman, I get more the guy that Played Z on men in black.

[@AdamfromFWCI]

Rip Torn, and yes you're right. Check out robot Santa on futurama, that's where I hear the similarities

[@chaosspear0195]

This movie is highly inaccurate to the real myths of Hercules but its still one of Disney all time best and my favorite.

[@xthemystic7879]

12 labors- and the film is *loosely* connected to the myth.

[@alexandru5369]

Let's be honest James woods carried this movie. Hercules, himself, was very bland/Gneric

[@kinagrill]

Somebody call IX-I_I!! omg! XD i never actually caught onto that one as a kid until NOW. ya know, someone call 9-1-1?