Opened: June 13, 1997

Directed by: John Musker & Ron Clements

Starring: Tate Donovan, Danny DeVito, James Woods, Susan Egan, Rip Torn, Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan, Vaneese Thomas, Bobcat Goldthwait, Matt Frewer, Patrick Pinney, Hal Holbrook, Barbara Barrie, Josh Keaton, Amanda Plummer, Carole Shelley, Paddi Edwards, Paul Shaffer, Jim Cummings, Wayne Knight, Mary Kay Bergman, Corey Burton, Kathleen Freeman, Frank Welker, Keith David & Charlton Heston

By leaving out the more adult aspects of Greek mythology and spectacle of sight and sound, Hercules is an animated epic that contains some of the world’s best-known stories.

Hades (James Woods) sends Hercules (Tate Donovan) to Earth to live as a mortal. When Hercules finds out he’s the son of Zeus (Rip Torn), he trains with Philoctetes (Danny DeVito) to become a hero but gets swindled by Meg (Susan Egan).

The film is such a satisfying adventure. It has heroes, gods and monsters with comedy and twists that’ll even keep adults entertained.

Disney mainstay Alan Menken brings a gospel quality to the music filled with soul and energy. Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan and Vaneese Thomas voice the Muses (a Greek chorus) and every time they appear, you’ll beg for more.

Final say: Worthy of a god. ★★★★★