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Hercules (Toon Disney)

common sense media says

Better-than-average spinoff has heart AND brawn.

parents & educators say
See 2 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this animated series is based on the 1997 Disney film. The show follows a younger Hercules as he experiences all of the pressures and adventures of being a teenager -- including peer pressure, the desire to fit in, and learning how to be responsible -- as well as the challenges of becoming a hero. Kids can take away lessons about persistence, self-discipline, and friendship.

Positive messages: Hercules learns what it means to be a hero with a heart. Kids will take away good lessons about persistence, self discipline, and friendship.
Violence & scariness: Some threats from evil Uncle Hades, but nothing graphic or too scary.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Hercules

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the challenges Hercules faces as he grows from a "zero to a hero." Kids, have you ever had an important job or chore that needed to be done, but you wanted to have fun instead? How did that make you feel? What did you do? Why is it important for people to follow through on their responsibilities?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Disney's HERCULES isn't as much a prequel to the popular animated film as it is a separate-but-related look at the Greek hero's life during his teen years, as he trains on the Isle of Idra. Joined by his friends Icarus (voiced by French Stewart) and Cassandra (Sandra Bernhard), Hercules (Tate Donovan) learns to balance his training sessions -- led by teacher Philoctetes (Robert Costanzo) -- with having fun with his friends. Of course, like any other teenager, Hercules faces moral challenges like telling the truth, sticking with difficult tasks, and dealing with bullies. And on top of all that, Herc's continually going up against his evil uncle, Hades (James Woods).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Hercules isn't the first cartoon series to be spun off from a hit Disney movie, and it won't be the last. But with its strong voice cast (most of the actors from the film reprise their roles) and fun, sometimes laugh-out-loud storylines, Hercules stands out from the crowd. Kids will like seeing how Hercules becomes the hero we all know him to be -- and how the challenges he faces as a teen help him be a hero who not only has muscles, but also a strong heart full of integrity.

Although Hercules is a teenage character, his "typical" teen trials and tribulations are decidedly Disneyfied (in other words, no one's pressuring him to get drunk or have sex just yet), which makes this show fine for younger viewers with a more innocent idea of what teen life is like. Viewers of all ages will take away good lessons about being the best you can be.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y
Network: Toon Disney
Cast: French Stewart, James Woods, Tate Donovan
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Toon Disney
This review was written by Andrea Graham
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

rebma97
teen, 14 years old
7
 
Good (from what I remember)
I used to watch this on toon Disney (which is sadly gone), and I know I didn't love it, but I didn't really dislike it. I think it's set during when Hercules is being trained by Phil to become a hero.
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nduns
adult
7
 
The only show better than its movie counterpart
The big problem I had with the Hercules movie is that the characters were really bland/2-dimensional and the story was predictable as can be. This cartoon, on the other hand, throws that out the window and not only makes Hercules, the BLANDEST lead character in a Disney Renaissance film interesting/likable but also gives us a good cast of other entertaining and interesting characters. Also, the deviations from the original mythology don't annoy me as much in this one.
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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