[40] [1997 Jun 27] [89 min]
HERCULES
(S) Herkules

Comments: The film is really funny. Some times, in order to crack a joke, it is a little bit out of time and out of what's proper in the greek setting. Some episodes, like the hydra head slicing bit, are computer animated and that is remarkably noticable. The drawing style is really inspired by the ancient greek way to draw.

The short story: Hercules father is Zeus. Hades rules the underworld but wants to rule all. The Fate Whiches tell him Hercules is the only one that can stop that. A god can't be killed, so first Hades turns him mortal with a potion to 99% (last drop missed). Some people interrupts Hades goons and adopt Herc, who lost all but his strength. Grown up, he finds out who his father is. He must prove himself a true hero to become a god again. After years of training he becomes a real hero. Megara works for Hades and lures Herc into traps, but they fall in love instead. Herc gives his strength and life to save her. But the deal is broken when Meg is killed. herc regaines his strength, beats Hades and becomes a god, but chooses to stay mortal with a resurrected Meg.

The full story: The Muses introduces Zeus and Hercules. Up among the clouds Zeus and his wife as a newborn son, Hercules. All the Greek gods but one are there celebrating. Hercules charms them all. Zeus creates the winged horse Pegasus out of clouds as a gift to little one.
     Hades arrives on a quick drop-in. He is the Master of the UnderWorld, a job appointed to him by Zeus. Back home "down there", he learns from the three witches of fate that Herc will eventually become the only one that can stand between him and Zeus' throne. This will happen when certain stars are perfectly aligned in a row. So Hades sends his two "servents" Panic and Pain, to kidnap Herc. A god can not be killed, so Herc must first be turned human by making him drink a potion. But P&P are interrupted by human couple and drops both Herc and the potion vial just before the very last drop is consumed. So, Herc is actually turned human but due to that missed drop he does not lose his strength. The couple take care of Herc. Now, P&P's orders were to kill the human Herc, but they figured that he could not be a threat to Hades as human, so Hades never hears about their failure.
     Herc grows up as the farmer couple's only son, but he is considered a freek because of his uncontrollabe strength. When he joins his father, Amphitryon, to the marketplace, he accidently ruins the hole place, and is chased away. He is then told that he was found on the road with a Zeus medallion around his neck. When he seeks help and guidence in Zeus' temple the giant stone sculpture becomes alive. Zeus tells Herc who his real father is and that the only way to become a god again is to prove himself a true hero. To do so he is to look up Philoctetes, the hero trainer. The kind but not so bright Pegasus is sent to earth to help him.
     Phil is very reluctant to accept the mission since all heroes before has failed, even Akilles, but he is persuaded by one of Zeus' lightning bolts. After years of traing Herc is ready to try out his new occupation as a hero. In a pond he finds the beautiful and spirited Megara in fight with Nessus. Strangly enough, she resents his offer of help (which Herc takes no notice off). Nessus gets his butt kicked hard and Herc moves on to Thebes, though a bit love sick. Meg reports back to Hades who finds out Herc is alive and P&P gets a major hot reward.

Characters: Hercules (Herc), Megara (Meg), Philoctetes(Phil), Pegasus, Hades, Panic & Pain, Hermes, Zeus, H's real mother, Amphitryon (H's earth father), H's earth mother, The Muses.