Line #31 NightmareFuel/Hercules


1	'''WARNING:''' Spoilers are unmarked.
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3	!![[WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}} The Disney film]]
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5	%%Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1645663324032111800
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8	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hydra_7.png]]
9	[[caption-width-right:350: ''Phil, what do you call that thing??''\
10	''Two words!'' '''[[OhCrap AM-SCRAY!]]''']]
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12	Even in a fantasy adventure as hilarious and [[{{Main/SadlyMythtaken}} blatantly inaccurate]] as this, per Disney tradition, there's usually bound to be some large buckets of scares and frights. Then again, considering this came exactly a year after [[NightmareFuel/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney one of the darkest animated films they made thus far]], a switch in location ''doesn't'' mean it finally will stop the studio from injecting us all with pure uncut NightmareFuel. Is your bravery sharp enough, dear Troper?
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14	* The [[{{Kaiju}} Titans]] are so scary, they almost looked like they were coming out of the screen.
15	** Appearance-wise, they're respectively terrifying in a primordial EldritchAbomination manner with the sole exception of the Cyclops. They're a two-headed rock giant, an icy being strongly resembling a skeleton, an amorphous humanoid made of lava, and a large tornado with arms. They invoke the imagery of the Protogenoi, the ancient gods prior to the Titans that were more [[AnthropomorphicPersonification physical embodiments of nature]] than the traditional humanoid ones of myth, and these Titans are natural disasters with only a sliver of intelligence beyond their overwhelming desire for destruction.
16	** They are heartless killers, and it's implied in the opening song that the remains of their victims ''were literally everywhere''. Considering they're portrayed as little more than mindless and hate-filled forces of nature that could not be reasoned with at ''all'', only locked away, you can imagine that Hades would probably not bother much keeping them under control [[TheBadGuyWins if he had won]]. The only reason he got them to stop was that he had a target for them. Once Zeus was gone, who's to say that Hades wouldn't give them free reign to do as they pleased?
17	** [[EstablishingCharacterMoment The scene where they are freed]] at the start of the climax, for that matter, despite leading up to [[TheExitIsThatWay an otherwise hilarious punchline]]. The Rock Titan wipes an entire village off the map with a solid-rock foot the size of Rhode Island while the Fire Titan incinerates others in its wake (with no apparent clues that [[ConvenientlyEmptyBuilding any of them were cleared out ahead of time]]) and the Ice Titan freezes a bunch of horses fleeing in terror with in a chillingly (no pun intended) realistic manner (it's a mercy that the Wind Titan only seems to plow through a small farm that seems to have been cleared out already [[ThatPoorCat save for an unlucky goat]]). For such an otherwise wacky and funny movie, ''Hercules''' body count [[InferredHolocaust could potentially be up in the thousands]].
18	** When Hades first approaches the imprisoned Titans and asks them who put them down there, they all answer in a ''[[VoiceOfTheLegion terrifying]]'' voice that sounds like a legion of damned souls furiously roaring from Hell:
19	--->'''Titans:''' '''''ZEEEEEUUUUUUSSSSS!!!'''''
20	* The revelation that [[GodOfTheDead Hades]] is not like his neutral and mostly benign mythological counterpart but still rules over all the mortal souls that end up dying and essentially controls the afterlife. In the animated series, it's mentioned that Hades has no control over the Elysian Fields which Zeus reserved as a resting ground for heroes, but if you're not a hero like Hercules, then you're in Hades' clutches. This spells a lot of FridgeHorror for all of Herc's mortal friends and loved ones like Meg and Phil whose souls are vulnerable to eternal torture by Hades and his minions once they die. Granted, he doesn't actually seem to torture the souls of the Underworld, and if the Muses' song is correct, he prefers to ignore them for being "dull and uncouth", but if he actually ''wanted'' to torment a specific soul, he probably could. Even ignoring that, the Underworld is pretty gloomy even by Greek standards. It's not {{Hell}}, but you wouldn't want to spend eternity there.
21	* Cerberus. Especially with [[MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily all those]] ''[[MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily teeth]]''. In fact, his introduction is him ''snarling'' at Hades as he's passing by.
22	* The Fates [[EyeScream share an eye between them]]. ''[[PunctuatedForEmphasis One. Single. Eye]]''.
23	** If you think they're scary now, check out [[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ovDopxYueU/TiqqOAJB_BI/AAAAAAAACQM/0aa1DAAqYP4/s1600/Scarfefates.jpeg what they COULD have looked like]].
24	** They were based on the Graiae, which also shared one tooth and were purportedly ''even more hideous than the gorgon sisters!''
25	** Their introductory scene has them snip the thread of life of an innocent woman, complete with deathly wail and her soul being sucked into the underworld. They also display a certain sadistic glee in ending that woman's life (including cackling laughter), unlike their mythological counterparts who were viewed as stern and unyielding, but also as the stoic upholders of universal order.
26	* The first monster Hercules ends up fighting, Nessus, is introduced forcefully coming onto Megara when she clearly wants him to leave her alone. It’s also quite clear [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil what]] he intended to do if Hercules wasn’t there to save Meg. Not helping is when he grabs Meg, holding her close to him while noting “he likes them fiery,” implying this is not the first time he’s tried to do such a thing.
27	* The Hydra. It's monstrous, no pun intended, and what makes it scarier is that it's like the one monster that gave Hercules trouble. Even more than the Titans, it was the only thing that came close to killing him.
28	-->'''Hercules:''' ''[[[OOCIsSeriousBusiness stuttering]]]'' Phil, what do you call that thing?\
29	'''Phil:''' ''[[[FearIsTheAppropriateResponse equally afraid]]]'' TWO WORDS!\
30	''[[[HellIsThatNoise The Hydra roars]]]''\
31	'''Phil:''' [[RunOrDie AMSCRAAAAY!]]
32	** Just the Hydra's design. Unlike the usual depiction of the Hydra as a snake or dragon, this version is a purple alien-like creature with bulging orange eyes, a flat and vaguely-humanoid face; and an under-bite with lots of pointy teeth. It was much larger than Herc's first monster Nessus (who was already bigger than him) as well as more frightening having a long neck, scaly skin and sharp fangs. Phil ran for cover while Herc staggered forward, clearly afraid, and even the crowd of Thebans were screaming in fear of the towering creature.
33	*** And if you thought its final design was terrifying, here's some [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/disney/images/c/c4/Hydra_Concept_Art_3.gif/revision/latest?cb=20140112195401 concept art]] that is even worse (or better).
34	** Not to mention with the [[CelShading cel-shaded CGI]], it looks more realistic while blended with the traditional animation. Maybe [[TechnologyMarchesOn it was more impressive in 1997]], but even now it's still quite disturbing.
35	** The fact that the Hydra is one of the rare moments where bleeding is fully shown in a Disney movie: [[AlienBlood bright green blood, but still]]. Not to mention an on-screen decapitation and a wonderfully gross cross-section of the Hydra's severed neck. [[FamilyUnfriendlyViolence Ew]].
36	** ''That '''thundering roar'''''. And again, three times over, when the Hydra sprouts three new heads... It's telling that Phil, trainer of heroes who has stared down countless monsters and horrors, immediately wants to turn tail and run when the Hydra steps out of the darkness. The various growls and snarling shrieks it makes frightens the crowd of citizens and Hercules, who backs away after one roar.
37	** It ''[[EatenAlive eats]] [[SwallowedWhole him alive]]''! Followed by a horrifyingly loud belch and licking its slimy lips. It's a good thing Herc happened to have his sword on him at the time.
38	*** After it ate Hercules, it fully intends to fill up on the members of the audience.
39	** In the first battle, the Hydra stomps its feet as it begins advancing towards Hercules, and instead of lunging right at him, the creature takes its time, as if it enjoys observing the terror of its prey. After crushing a boulder he throws at it, the Hydra even stops to [[EvilLaugh laugh]] at Hercules. At the end of the battle, the Hydra takes its time trying to eat Hercules again when it has him pinned to the cliff. [[ItCanThink It's not just a mindless beast.]] It's a genuinely [[{{Sadist}} sadistic]], ''evil'' creature that takes great enjoyment in the terror of its victims. This is evidenced after Hercules retrieves his sword, in which the Hydra wraps its tongue around his leg, throws Herc into the air, and [[EatenAlive catches him in its mouth]], all while the young hero screams at the top of his lungs.
40	** Hercules' desperate struggle against the Hydra. One head gave him enough trouble, but the Hydra is more difficult after it first revives. All we see are quick edits as Herc cuts and cuts, with more and more heads appearing. Finally, [[OhCrap a look of pure]] ''[[OhCrap horror]]'' [[OhCrap on Herc's face]] as he stares down a massive ''forest'' of snarling Hydra heads. Even Phil's following comment probably can't erase the creepiness of that particular image.
41	** You can tell Hercules is afraid of the Hydra. When it emerges, he stutters and backs up. After the monster grows three heads, Herc flees before Pegasus picks him up. He [[TheScream screams]] as the Hydra flips him in the air to swallow him whole, and [[OverlyLongScream again in terror]] as he [[https://animationscreencaps.com/hercules-1997/page/32#box-1/24/hercules-br-disneyscreencaps.com-5604.jpg?strip=all falls right into the swarm of heads and while sliding down one of the monster's long necks.]] The Hydra is acknowledged as In-Verse Nightmare Fuel for Hercules alone in that it's a SuperPersistentPredator who loved the taste of the young hero after briefly eating him, so much so that it chased and attacked Hercules until it can eat him again.
42	** There's also this line from Hades as the multi-headed Hydra is about to finish Hercules off while he gleefully watches. Creator/JamesWoods' [[SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct eerie delivery of the line really sells it]].
43	--->'''Hades:''' My favorite part of the game... '''sudden death'''.
44	* Hades' [[MoodSwinger mood swings]]. When he's angry, he goes from controlled blue flames to out-of-control red flames. They ''can'' overlap with SugarWiki/FunnyMoments, but just keep in mind that he's still the God of the Underworld. Hope you aren't terrified of fire.
45	* The moment Megara tells Hades that Hercules is alive in spite of being told otherwise, [[WideEyesAndShrunkenIrises his irises briefly shrink]]. It's a brief but noticeable moment [[TranquilFury that sells he's madder than usual at this revelation]].
46	** His [[NightmareFace angry face]] is no picnic, either. Just imagine watching the close-up on the big screen as a kid. The most angry time is when [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7QIOo0qS5k he catches Pain and Panic using Hercules merchandise]]:
47	-->'''Hades:''' I can't believe this guy! I throw ''everything'' I've got at him, and-- ''[is cut off by the sound of rubber sandals squeaking, as he suddenly glances down at Pain]'' [[PunctuatedForEmphasis What. Are.]] ''[[PunctuatedForEmphasis Those?]]''
48	-->'''Pain:''' ''[wearing a pair of [[AnachronismStew Air-Herc Sandals]]]'' I dunno, I thought they looked kinda... dashing.
49	-->'''Hades:''' ''[{{Facepalm}}s]'' I've got twenty-four hours to get rid of this... ''[flares up]'' '''bozo''', or the entire scheme I've been setting up for ''eighteen years''... goes up in smoke. ''[begins to burn out of control]'' [[UnstoppableRage And you... ARE WEARING...]] ''[[UnstoppableRage HIS...]] '''[[UnstoppableRage MERCHANDISE?!]]'''''
50	-->''[There is a slurp, and Hades is interrupted mid-rage as he descends on Pain. They glance over at Panic sipping Herculade]''
51	-->'''Panic:''' ''[[[OhCrapSmile chuckles nervously]]]'' ...thirsty?
52	-->'''Hades:''' ''[explodes into out-of-control flames]'' '''[[{{Angrish}} GUUUUUUUUAAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHH!!!!]]'''
53	-->''[cut back to the crowd as Hades' scream of rage echoes far away, and an enormous mushroom cloud erupts in the background]''
54	** There's also the [[MoodWhiplash moment during his conversation with Megara]] when he goes from seemingly nice to [[JumpScare exploding in fury]] complete with a NightmareFace.
55	-->'''Hades:''' Meg, Meg, Meg. My sweet, deluded little minion. Aren't we forgetting one teensy-weensy, but ever so crucial little, tiny detail? ''[suddenly bursts into flames]'' '''[[SuddenlyShouting I]] ''[[SuddenlyShouting OWN]]'' [[SuddenlyShouting YOU!]]'''
56	** Despite his previous mood swings, Hades darkest moment comes at the very end of the garden scene. Following her date with Hercules, Meg has not only fallen in love with Hercules and vice-versa but decided she isn't going help Hades anymore, no matter what the consequences. Hades attempts to force her co-operation, by reminding her that only he can free her, does not work, with Meg then proudly proclaiming that Hercules doesn't have any weaknesses. Her speech is cut short when she turns around to see Hades looking at her with a big PsychoticSmirk on his face.
57	---> '''Hades:''' I think he ''does'', Meg. I truly think he does. ''[burns the flower that Hercules gave Meg to a cinder just to prove the point]''
58	** That's right. For all his cruelty and outbursts, Hades is intelligent. With just a few short sentences, Meg has unwittingly revealed that whilst Hercules may not have any ''physical'' weaknesses, there is ''another way'' that Hades can get to him.
59	* The Cyclops, his bellowing taunting for a de-powered Hercules to fight him, and his eventual attempt to bite off Hercules' head: '''''"HEERCCUULLEESSSS!"'''''
60	** Not to mention Hercules [[EyeScream blinding him with fire]].
61	* Meg is seen dying in agony and then shown clearly as dead as Disney can get away with on a G rating.
62	* [[KubrickStare The look]] of sheer ''rage'' on Herc's face right before he goes into the Underworld to confront Hades and save Meg.
63	* As Hercules dives into the river of souls and swims to rescue Meg's soul, [[RapidAging he very rapidly ages into an old man]]. This must've given both kids and adults nightmares.
64	** The Fates attempting to cut [[DeathsHourglass Megara and later Hercules' threads of life]] with scissors is enough to make viewers young and old cringe and hold their breaths in fright. The first time, they succeed in cutting Meg's thread; the second time, Herc's thread glows and becomes invulnerable with his ascension to godhood at the ''absolute last second''.
65	* Hades getting pulled into the river of souls as he tries to escape after Hercules punches him in.
66	* When Hercules goes through with [[DealWithTheDevil Hades deal to give up his super-strength in exchange for Meg's safety]], he is clearly shown to be in pain as Hades drains his powers away. Not helping is how Hades gleefully takes the opportunity to [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown kick him while he's down]]:
67	-->'''Hades:''' You may feel just a little queasy. It's kind of natural. Maybe you should… (''levitates barbells'') ''[[SuddenlyShouting SIT!]]'' '''''[[PunctuatedForEmphasis DOWN!]]''''' (''flings the barbells right at Hercules, knocking him to the ground'') [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor Now you know how it feels to be]] [[IJustWantToBeNormal just like everybody else.]] Isn't it just… ''peachy?''
68	* Pain and Panic may be silly, but the scenes where they turn into snakes and ambush Pegasus shows them at their most terrifying.
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Context NightmareFuel / Hercules