Hercules

Disney's 35th (!) full-length animated film applies Grecian to the tried-and-true Disney formula of a struggling hero/heroine (in this case, Hercules, voiced by Tate Donovan), who is aided by a mentor (Phil, a satyr--Danny DeVito), while fighting a nasty villain (Hades--James Woods). Toss in Hades' comical sort-of-bad-but-not-really henchmen Pain and Panic (Bobcat Goldthwaite and Matt Frewer), Susan Egan as main squeeze Meg, another bouncy Alan Mencken score, some very nice computer animation, and stir and serve for quality family viewing everywhere (except perhaps Greece, the latest entrants in the offended-by-a-Disney-film sweepstakes). What it lacks in emotional punch (as in The Lion King or The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Hercules makes up for in genuine entertainment. Recommended. (R. Pitman)[DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review—Aug. 26, 2014—Walt Disney, 93 min., G, DVD: $19.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $29.99—Making its latest appearance on DVD and Blu-ray, 1997's Hercules features a fine transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack on Blu-ray. Extras include a “making-of” featurette (9 min.), a “From Zero to Hero” sing-along featurette (3 min.), the “No Importa La Distancia” music video by Ricky Martin, trailers, and (on the Blu-ray edition) bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: Disney's fun take on Greek mythology makes a welcome Blu-ray debut.]