Things Only Adults Notice In Hercules

For a Disney film, Hercules manages to slip in quite a few jokes and pop culture references that could easily go unnoticed by younger audiences. From Disney Easter eggs to mythological origins, here's a list of the things only adults will notice when watching Disney's Hercules.

Greek mythology isn't exactly kid-friendly. There's plenty of death, despair, extramarital affairs, drinking, cannibalism, and an array of terrifying monsters that would give most children nightmares. With this in mind, it makes sense that the film had to take liberties regarding the actual legend of Hercules.

The film shows Zeus and Hera as being in a healthy, loving relationship. However, this couldn't be further from the case. In mythology, Zeus has a reputation for cheating on his wife with an extensive list of women, a fact that Hera is well aware of and resents about her husband. Hercules isn't even Hera's son, according to mythology. In fact, Hercules wasn't born to two divine parents. Instead, he's the child of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene.

The main reason this change was made in the film is likely because Hera is behind Hercules' hardships in the original story, not Hades like in the movie. Hera resents Hercules and, as a result, tries to have him killed. Additionally, Megara is most likely a combination of two characters from mythology, Megara and Hercules' second wife, Deianira. In a grim turn of events, Hercules actually kills Megara in the original myth. So much for happily ever after.

In Hercules, the city of Thebes, otherwise known as "the Big Olive," is a major metropolis known for its high energy and hustle-and-bustle. Basically, Thebes is one giant New York stereotype. From the pita bread carts to the doomsday graffiti smeared around the city walls, Thebes reflects many aspects of the Big Apple itself, for better and for worse.

Much like New York, Thebes and all of its inhabitants are always in motion. There are chariots blazing back and forth while pedestrians wait at what appear to be ancient crosswalks. Large crowds abound, and Hercules is clearly overwhelmed by the city environment. When Hercules and company first arrive, they nearly find themselves trampled by a chariot driver, only to be saved by Phil, who's more seasoned in navigating the hectic city. Keep watching the video to see things only adults notice in Hercules!

#AdultsNotice

Nothing like the myth | 0:00
Basically New York City | 1:23
Scar makes an appearance | 2:38
Narcissus joke | 3:25
"That Oedipus thing" | 4:11
Not your typical damsel | 4:46
Literal Greek chorus | 5:55
Hades delegated too much | 6:45
Modern references abound | 7:45
Ancient art references | 8:58

Read Full Article: https://www.looper.com/208587/things-only-adults-noticed-in-hercules/