And That’s the Gospel Truth: Why Hercules is One of the Best Disney Movies

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The Disney Renaissance Era was packed full of classics: The Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Mulan, and Tarzan.  These were the first films that Howard Ashman and Alan Menken worked on and of the ten films released during these years, four went on to be turned into Broadway musicals. So it is safe to say the Disney Renaissance Era was the pinnacle of Disney filmmaking.

And in June of 1997, a ridiculously underrated classic was released.  Compared to the box office totals during its first two weeks, Hercules performed less than its box office hit siblings by bringing in $58 million. As a result Disney stock slipped by almost 10 percent.  Some say that competing with other family films such as Men in Black and Batman and Robin contributed to Hercules’s less than stellar performance at the box office.

But I’m here to tell you, this is one of the best Disney movies.  And here are four reasons why I think that:

1. The Music

The music of Hercules is one of the best soundtracks from Disney.  The Greek mythology-based film features music composed by Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel.  The gospel music style of the film was suggested by co-screenwriter and co-director John Musker. “Gospel is a storytelling kind of music. It can be exhilarating, especially when it gets everybody on their feet,” Musker said in a 1997 article in the London Sunday Mirror.  “We were looking for a modern equivalent for the Greek references and this style of music seemed to be entertaining and a real departure at the same time."  From the Muses opening up the film with “The Gospel Truth” to the title character singing “Go the Distance” to Megara’s “I Won’t Say I’m In Love,” the soundtrack feels both deeply Disney and something brand new. Although it hasn’t been turned into a Broadway musical.  Yet.

2. Realistic Villain

Hades wasn’t someone you felt bad for.  He was the bad guy and that was clear from the beginning.  His villainous self is more akin to Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty who wanted to kill her enemy’s daughter than the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs who wanted to be the fairest of them all.  Hades wants to get back at Zeus, so what does he do?  Takes Zeus’s newborn baby and makes him mortal so Hades himself can have Hercules’s soul one day.  But jokes on Hades when Pain and Panic don’t give baby Herc all the potion and he still remains a god.  In addition to his evil side, Hades also has a sarcastic side that rivals any character in the Disney world. After Meg says Hercules won’t hurt her, Hades points out that “HE’S A GUY” so of course he will.  Hades is manipulative and controlling with a dash of sarcastic humor, and that makes him the perfect villain.

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3. Real Character Progression

Unlike other movies, all the main characters go through some form of characters progression.  Hercules doesn’t just magically become a god.  He has to work hard to become a god.  And when he becomes a god again, he realizes that the fame isn’t everything he had hoped and chooses to live his life as a mortal to be with Meg.  For Megara, she goes from not trusting men to falling in love with Hercules.  Of course, it’s not an overnight think like it is for some female characters  (I’m looking at you, Cinderella). Meg is secure in who she is.  She knows she was tricked by the man she once loved and that means she’s stuck with Hades now.  She accepts her fate but is trying to better herself at the same time.  The story lines - although based on a myth - have real life applications.  We all have to overcome and accept our past to get to our future.  And Hercules teaches us that.

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4.  The Humor.

From Meg’s sassy attitude to Pain and Panic’s comedic relief to the subtle jokes, Hercules is packed full of humor.  There are so many jokes that you may not even catch them all the first time viewing the film.  And some probably went over your head if you watched it as a kid.  Either way, the humor in Hercules is on point and other Disney films should take note that adults like animated movies too and dropping a few jokes for the “older” crowd never hurt anyone.

The Odyssey 

5. Philoctetes

I would be remiss to go an entire article without mentioning the great Philoctetes. The great trainer of heroes, Phil has been constantly disappointed in the shortcomings of his trainees. He's just about given up hope when Hercules comes along seeking his help. Phil is reluctant at first; he doesn't want another wannabe hero to mar his already muddied name. But Hercules is different and despite his original hesitance, Phil decided to train him. And much to his surprise and delight, Hercules becomes the shining star of Phil's life. When people look at Hercules, they think of Phil's boy. And that's all Phil has ever wanted. To train the next zero to hero. And he accomplishes that with Hercules.

Now that you know my favorite Disney movie, tell us about YOUR favorite Disney movie and why you love that movie. Tweet us at @TMKBPodcast and let us know!

Robyn Fleenor is a contributing writer for The Mouse Knows Best Podcast. She is an avid Disney fanatic and would rather be at Walt Disney World eating glazed almonds than anything else.  When she isn't working to pay for her next Disney vacation, she likes to binge watch TV shows and fall in love with fictional characters. She can be found tweeting at @rahrah6263.