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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Hercules
    Genre:Animation

    Reviewed In Issue 30 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    The Voices Of Tate Donovan, Joshua Keaton, Danny De Vito, James Woods, Susan Egan, Rip Torn, Samantha Eggar, Charlton Heston

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 5
    Sound Rating: 5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Walt Disney Home Video
    (Catalog Number): 9123 AS
    (MPAA Rating): G
    (Retail Price): $29.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 93
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1998
    (LD Release Date):
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): John Musker & Ron Clements
    (Screenplay/Written By): Ron Clements, John Musker, Bob Shaw, Donald McEnery & Irene Mecchi
    (Story): NA
    (Music): Alan Menken
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Gerarld Scarfe
    (Visual Effects): NA
    (Costume Designer): Kate Bergh
    (Editor): Tom Finan
    (Supervising Sound Editors): Tim Holland
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): NA
    (Co-Producers): NA
    (Producers): Alice Dewey, John Musker & Ron Clements

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Digital Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): SDDS & Dolby Digital
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital): No
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Hercules is Disney’s 35th animated feature and is a “hit of Olympic proportions.“ Born on Mount Olympus to the proud god, Zeus (Rip Torn), Hercules is kidnapped as a child by the hotheaded Hades’ (James Woods) bumbling cohorts, Pain and Panic. When he grows up and learns of his true origin, Hercules must become a true hero on Earth in order to return to his rightful place as a god on Mt. Olympus. A CAV Dolby® Digital LaserDisc (14796 CS) is also available.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The picture looks magnificent. The animation is sharp with excellent color fidelity. Colors are eye-popping and beautiful. There doesn’t appear to be any noise or artifacts to distract from another Disney animated masterpiece. The aspect ratios are 1.66:1.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz): Yes
    (Aggressive System Surround): Yes
    (Intense 25Hz Bass): No
    (Deep Bass Challenging): No
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield): Yes
    (Aggressive Split Surround): Yes
    (Center Back Surround Imaging): Yes
    (Directionalized Dialogue): No
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition:
    DVD To LaserDisc Comparison:
    The picture, on all three LaserDiscs, looks magnificent. The animation is sharp with excellent color fidelity. Colors are eye-popping and beautiful. There doesn’t appear to be any noise or artifacts to distract from another Disney animated masterpiece. The aspect ratios are 1.66:1. The soundtrack is wonderfully designed and presented in both the Dolby® Digital and DTS® Digital Surround discrete 5.1 formats and the matrix PCM format. The matrix PCM sounds spatially stronger at times with a more aggressive surround presence than the discrete versions, and at times is preferred as low level ambience is better resolved and atmospheric. When the sound is energized the discrete soundtracks are unmatched in spatial delineation and surround directionality—delivering a really holosonic soundfield experience. The .1 LFE channel, when engaged, delivers yet greater dynamic punch. The music score is terrific and spreads wider across the soundstage in the discrete versions. Dialogue sounds superb but, of course, is entirely ADR-produced. The DTS Digital Surround soundtrack delivers superb clarity and excellent dynamics and improved interchannel separation for a knockout sonic experience.