Hercules: Zero to Hero

As with most Disney Renaissance films, Hercules received a sequel. Basically a pilot for the television series,Hercules: Zero to Hero was released August 31, 1998. It kept most of the original voice cast, plus a few new characters and replaced Danny DeVito with Robert Costanzo.

The film consists of Megara going through Hercules’ high school yearbook, where he regales her with stories about what his high school life was like.

Of all the films to get a sequel and television series, Hercules was the one that needed it the least. This movie and the resulting series tears a hole in both Hercules’ character and the plot itself.

As for our resident protagonist, the film is before he becomes famous and his ego becomes so inflated. But in the original film, Hercules wanted to prove himself. Here, he gets the gods to do everything for him. Sure, it makes for a good “divine intervention” joke at one point, but having Aphrodite bring to life a girlfriend for him?

Also there’s an issue with Hades. As in the first film, he’s the primary antagonist. But this drives a semi through the original plot. Hades didn’t know Hercules was even alive until he showed back up. Yet here, he’s fighting him all the time.

There’s not much else to say about it other the supporting cast is underwhelming and the art is ok. I will say though, reminiscing through a yearbook is interesting. But it could have been so much better. 

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