The funny thing is, in the original mythology, SHE IS A PRINCESS. Her dad is Creon, brother of Jacosta (mother/wife of Oedipus) and eventual King of Thebes. This also makes it interesting that Meg and Herc went to watch the play Oedipus Rex. They were LITERALLY watching her family drama play out on stage. 🤣
@@redadmiralofvalyria867 I didn't catch it myself until I watched again during 12th grade. I had taken AP Lit and we had recently covered Sophocles. I HOLLERED! 🤣🤣🤣
Hades and Meg's scenes together has dialogue that pops like bubbles out of a champagne glass to the point where during Herc and Phil's scenes I just wanted to get back to Meg ... I think Hercules' main problem as a film is that it tried to be a parody of the Renaissance formula while also still trying to fit into the mold of a traditional Disney Ren film which is kind of counterproductive to having a consistent tone. Emperor's New Groove had some wholesome moments but was more committed to being a complete and total parody of the genre which is why its humor lands more IMO
@@jamesa.romano8500 That's a good point. Musker and Clements only made Hercules because Disney said if they did then they could make Treasure Planet, which was their passion project. And it was made to be very commercial and a bit of a repeat of Aladdin
Totally agree. Hercules is my favorite Disney movie and one of my favorite movies. Hadas is one of my favorite villains and Meg is one of my favorite Disney characters.
@@BetterWithBob Yeah I found that out a few years ago and suddenly my gut feeling about the movie started to make more sense. It just felt like they were phoning it in alot of the time - although I again do like the characters overall
I think it's interesting the contrasting journeys both Meg and Hercules have throughout the story, which highlights why they attract to each other. Meg goes from this human with a "goddess" like statue; fierce, independent, mysterious, scheming, to someone whose walls have been broken down and becomes ore vulnerable towards the end of the story y embracing the one thing she was avoiding all this time - love. Whereas Hercules goes from this god with the vulnerability and nativity of a young human, to an actual god with confidence and focus because, just like Meg, he learned to accept himself and embraced love as his resolve (as when he decides to rescue Meg), which brings his arc full circle. Also Meg was one of the few Disney princesses who wanted to avoid love, because she had trusted the wrong person, whereas every other princess has always been open to love and never been betrayed by it.
This is a sign of a good movie, where both sides of the love interest story grow and develop. Meg isn't just a damsel in distress. Herc isn't just a hero who fixes everything because he's a "big strong man". They both make big mistakes with huge ramifications. They both step up and show heroism. Peak Disney story-telling.
I'm glad you pointed out the fact that Meg subverts the typical "the man must go through the emotional change" cliché and actually gives a woman a proper arc from villain to hero.... nowadays Disney never lets their women learn anything or go from being a bad person to a good person. Now women have to be perfect and badass and if they do have something to learn it's completely irrational (like Mulan learning to "embrace her powers and how special she is" or Raya learning to "trust" someone who doesn't deserve that trust at all.) This trend just takes away any unique character aspects they have, any interesting backstory that turns them into a more complex being... they're just flat and bland. I wish Disney could go back to making women characters like Meg.
Meg was not really a bad person and a villain. She was just bitter and depressed about her ex boyfriend leaving her for someone else and she was forced to do Hadas plans.
What about Elsa who was traumatized by her powers and almost destroyed her own kingdom and sister by being unable to control it because of her fear and then learned to accept it because of Anna's love and trust in her?I know that Elsa is such a pop culture character that she almost doesn't feel like a real character but her development was really good in my opinion
As a kid I disliked this movie because it was inaccurate. As an older wiser adult I love this movie because it’s hilarious and heartwarming. Side note: the Lion King slander is blasphemous!
This, along with Clash of the Titans, were what sparked my interest in Greco-Roman mythologies. True, it's far from accurate to the original stories, but it also doesn't claim to be. It was one of my favorite Disney movies when I was a kid, and it still holds a place in my heart. Also, the art style is fantastic for this film.
Meg isn’t too good for this movie, she’s too good for Disney. Meg is more of a Dreamworks princess. Just look at Fiona, Chel, Eep, Zipporah. They’re not your typical old fashioned Disney princess that is almost helpless, and they’re not one of the newer Disney princesses that act like they don’t need anyone’s help. The Dreamworks ladies do need some help and they help the heroes also.
Except most Dreamworks females are in movies that are dominated by male protagonists. Say what you want about Disney but they have plenty of strong female leads that dominate their movies.
Meg is more real than the Disney Princesses because she lived a life where she wasn't sheltered before meeting Hercules. She knows life doesn't always work out in your favor. She is also why I was ok with being sarcastic and speaking my mind as a child/teen lol. Now that you brought up Esmeralda I hope you'll be doing a video on her! I recently watched The Hunchback of Notre Dame and WOW, so much of the messaging went over 6-year-old me's head. Frollo is terrifying in a way that I couldn't appreciate as a child and Esmeralda's strength, caring, and resilience should be noted.
Let's cheer things up 💖❤🧡💛💚💙💜, I am an autistic and intelligent woman myself and if Lacey was still alive, I would have interesting conversation, she liked Disney movies and I like anime, it would be about which Disney Princess is which anime girl and which Disney Prince is which anime boy 🏵🏵🏵🏵which Disney Prince is which anime boy🏵🏵🏵🏵: Mickey Mouse = Kimba (Kimba The White Lion) Florian = Haji (Blood+) Phillipe = Yumeji (Yumekui Marry) Henry = Leon (Trapped In A Dating Sim: Otome Games Are Tough For The Mobs) Adam = Ichigo (Bleach) Eugene = Yuji (Jujutsu Kaisen) Mowgli = Senku (Dr. Stone) Dimitri = Edward (Fullmetal Alchemist) Jimm Hawking = Shinji (Neon Genesis Evangelion) Milo = Jeanne (Nadia The Secret Of Blue Water) Tramp = Asta (Black Clover) Arthur = Gon Freecs (Hunter X Hunter) John Smith = Ryoga (Ranma 1/2)/Kouga (Inuyasha) John Rolfe = Ranma (Ranma 1/2)/Inuyasha (Inuyasha) Hercules = Goku (Dragon Ball) Li Shang = Tanjiro (Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba) Aladdin = Naruto (Naruto Shippuden) Peter Pan = Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece) Tarzan = Eren (Attack On Titan) Naveen = Train (Black Cat) Quasimodo = Deku (My Hero Academia) Phoebus = Bakugo/Todoroki (My Hero Academia) Taran = Meliodas (Seven Deadly Sins) Mateo = Natsu (Fairy Tail) Simba = Yoh (Shaman King) Eric = Kaito (Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi)
🌸🌸🌸🌸which Disney Princess is which anime girl🌸🌸🌸🌸: Minnie Mouse = Kitty (Kimba The White Lion) Snowhite = Saya (Blood+) Aurora = Merry (Yumekui Merry) Cinderella = Olivia (Trapped In A Dating Sim: Otome Games Are Tough For The Mobs) Belle = Orihime (Bleach) Rapunzel = Nobara (Jujutsu Kaisen) Shanti = Yuzuriha (Dr. Stone) Anastasia = Winry (Fullmeatl Alchemist) Amelia = Asuka (Neon Genesis Evangelion) Kida = Nadia (Nadia The Secret Of Blue Water) Lady = Noelle (Black Clover) Alice = Sakura (Cardcaptor Sakura)/Pomni/Ragatha (The Amazing Digital Circus) Pocahontas = Akane (Ranma 1/2)/Kagome (Inuyasha) Megara = Chichi/Bulma (Dragon Ball) Fa Mulan = Kanao (Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba) Jasmine = Hinata (Naruto Shippuden) Wendy Darling = Nico Robin/Nami (One Piece) Tinkerbelle = Shirahoshi (One Piece) Jane = Mikasa (Attack On Titan) Tiana = Kyoko (Black Cat) Esmeralda = Uraraka/Momo (My Hero Academia) Eilonwy = Elizabeth/Diane (Seven Deadly Sins) Elena = Lucy (Fairy Tail) Nala = Anna (Shaman King) Ariel = Lucia (Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi)Одговори
@kant.68 having issues doesn't mean they weren't sheltered. Jasmine and Ariel literally had to escape their homes in secret to see what the real world was like. Snow White was chased from the only home she knew and was so easily manipulated by the Evil Queen even after being told not to trust strangers. Belle grew up in a tiny community she didn't leave until trying to save her father. Aurora was raised in the woods with nothing but fairies and animals as her companions. They all meet the definition of sheltered...
4:20 “Ironic, yes” This gave me a chuckle because, being familiar with the historical Pocahontas, I literally thought the same thing as soon as I heard this.
I agree except the war part because in the beginning of the movie it shows her tribe coming back from fighting another tribe. It shows the tribal woman excited to see thier men come back home.
@@sonicmiku3009 It's also intriguing that we're never shown specific details Who started the war? Who were the aggressors? Was it a "just war" etc etc It's small details like this that are interesting to me
I credit my friends Liana Kerzner and Song W Eretson, and their podcast Two Women Talking, for helping me see another perspective. I highly recommend their stuff ^_^
I clicked this expecting it to be one of those "turn my brain off and listen to someone glaze a character I love" type deals, but I actually learned a lot, including *why* Meg has always been my favourite Disney gal. This is a great video!
I was a cynical teenager when Hercules came out, so of course I absolutely loved Megara. All these years later she remains my favourite Disney character.
I grew up in the Greek Orthodox Church so, naturally, when Hercules came out there was a whole organized EVENT to go see it in theaters 😆 Yes, the mythology was inaccurate, but the people at my church were so pumped to see their culture in a Disney movie. When I saw Meg for the first time I thought to myself “When I’m old enough to date, I want to have this level of confidence.” 😂😂 I wanted to dress up like her for Halloween but my mom said no because her outfit was too sexy 😅 She’s still an icon though!
Wait. I find this hilarious cause on face value, it's a pretty normal Greesian theme dress 🤣🤣🤣. It's not particularly revealing and it bearly shows skin like Jasmie or Ariel does. What makes it sexy is the person wearing it 😂
@@ohw5306 I think my mom was thinking about the Essence of what Meg stands for. To compensate, she bought me this totally 90s outfit from the Disney Store (the ONLY thing she ever bought there, haha!). It had a white t-shirt underneath and a blue overdress that said "So Greek, so chic" and I wore it most days until I outgrew it 😅
In terms of personality and even backstory to an extent my boyfriend and I are very similar to Hercules and Meg. I always enjoyed her as a character. I wouldn't say my boyfriend was "my type" when we first started seeing eachother casually but in hindsight and seeing how the chemistry unfolded between these two reflected our relationship.
Interesting paralell about the voice of Meg also being the voice of Broadway Belle. In the Swedish dubbing, the actress who voiced Megara had also voiced Jasmine in Aladdin. Wich was quite a shock to find out, considering how different (and close to the American originals) the voices where.
Oh my God, I never put two and two together and realized Meg literally calls Hercules "junior", therefore he's likely much younger than her! Honestly that just makes me love her and ship her with Hercules even MORE. 😮 I think it was watching the Hercules TV show which showed her as a teenager at the same time as him that threw me off even though I knew the movie and show didn't meld properly timeline wise.
24:33 not me crying over this explanation as a kid I always loved this movie. I like that he's the hero but is dumb af, and I love that she's just... compelling. you can tell where she's coming from. and never until now did I clock into the fact she's the only disney heroine to have a "past". love that for her, now I love this movie even more
I love Hercules as a whole, so it's always nice coming across a video praising some aspect of it or another. Hercules, Meg, and Hades are all fantastic characters (I know Hades and Meg seem to get all the love, but personally I find Hercules better than the vast majority of Disney male leads), but Meg definitely has the most unique and interesting arc and personal story of the bunch. Her character really raises this movie to another level. Was a pleasure listening to you give her some much deserved love and exploring the history behind what lead to her being written the way she is!
Hercules himself definitely has the benefit of not being a jerk or womaniser who also never once lies to the girl, and laying down his life for her is also very noble. Obviously Philip and Aladdin risked their lives too but Hercules was literally condemning himself to death as part of the deal
@BetterWithBob A deal that, turns out,was rigged from the start! _"Y'know what I forgot? You're going to_ die _before you reach her. THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM, IS IT~?"_
@@Cholmes-lf5kd Why are you getting mad that someone's comment got criticized? He was indeed saying something: that just repeating what the video says isn't worth anything.
Thank you for making this! I have a deep connection with this character. (Watch out here comes my life story.) I was 10 or 11 years old when I first watched Hercules. At first I thought Meg had a nice design, a cool personality and that she was special in a way (I could not pin down how, though)...but then she also started singing and we got to see behind her mask...and I was done for. (Side note: I did not watch it in english back then, but nowadays I do prefer the original dub.) From that point on I became obsessed with this character. I bought the DVD as soon as I got my next pocket money, so I could watch the movie over and over again (making this the first movie I have ever bought). I watched it everyday after school for months and would often skip to the scene where Meg first appears, since I was not that interested in Herc's story ( I did not dislike him, Meg was just better). Since that was around the time where I got into puberty I guess it's easy to imagine that Meg had some impact on my development...especially when I started dating and the relationships did not turn out that well. I found it comforting to see a female character who had bad relationships before she met the person who was actually meant for her. That made me feel less "broken". You can try to be bestest partner and basically throw you life away and people can still treat you badly...That is also why I think it is not just better if Hades had nothing to do with her ex leaving her, but it is actually needed to show that those kind of people exist. (Though, if someone is interested the book "Twisted Tale: Go the Distance" explores the idea of Hades having something to do with it...It's fine.) Over the years I also got to appreciate those other little things about Meg...like her being actually older than the male lead, what is really rare. (though, I don't like how much older they made her in the stage musical...) or that her hair "puff" is similarly designed as Mickey Mouse's ears (it looks the same from every angle). A while back I also watched a video essay that explains how both Meg and Hercules are defying gender norms, with Meg seeming to be the more dominant part in the relationship, while Hercules is sweet, naive and pure-hearted. (That one made me appreciate Hercules more.) Over all Megara had been my number 1 Disney character for (over) 13 years and I have never imagined that someday someone will knock her of her throne...She still is my favorite Disney MOVIE character, though. (It took me like 20 attempts to post this...Thank you, youtube...)
I'll reckon the whole "flawed male goes through a redemption arc" cliche is still mostly guy focused even outside of Disney, and that only recently in the last 20 years we've had genuine grey women and not just "Action Heroine", "Mom" and "Plucky Princess Damsel". Another reason why Meg is unique!
I'm trying to think of more examples with female characters and I guess The Princess Diaries - Mia jilts Michael and Lily to fool around at a beach party with Josh, who then humiliates her, and she has to make it up to them
Hercules has my FAVORITE romantic moments in all Disney films. It’s the main reason why I rewatch it so many times. Even watching it now makes my heart skip a beat!
@MAXKIDDO8888 soooo true! My brother had a Greek mythology phase and I had to tell him I didn't need to know anymore. The Greeks sure do know the meaning of pain and torture.
If the movie was accurate to Greek mythology: Hercules: "Living on Olympus means I can't be together with Meg..." Zeus: "Uh, why exactly? I also brought Ganymede here, and the only reason this place isn't filled to the brink with young mortal women is because Hera only lets me bring men."
I love Meg, she's probably why I love old Noir flicks with Femme Fatales in them, cuz she is one. A rather simple one, but she does fit the bill, she just reforms by the end.
Just accept the fact they WILL fuck up Meg and likely everyone else. If the last 8 years were any indication is that we cannot trust current Disney. Not their directors,not their writers, *specially not their higher ups...* and even the few good ones that try to make a diamond will get screwed over by the majority of their colleagues. 😔
okay so… there’s not much catching my interest these days on RUclips. Your takes are so fresh and genuinely interesting to watch. Found your channel a few days ago, binge watched everything, and was pleasantly surprised to come home from work and see this new post. Can’t wait to see what you do next!
Came to watch a love letter to Megara (never a Princess but always a Queen in my book) and get hit with references to the OT and Billy Wilder. Your editing is great too
I've just never been wild about The Lion King. Something about it just doesn't do it for me. And being a Pocahontas ride or die, the way TLK fans loved to bash it in comparison because they were in production at the same time did not help
Lion King is way overrated. Pocahontas, Hunchback, and Mulan are all pretty low on my list too. Hercules is way better than all of them. Meg is probably the best disney "princess" besides maybe Rapunzel
Throw in Aladdin and you've got my top 3, if I wanna be really spicy I'll add in Mulan and Emperor's New Groove for a top 5 that might be a bit controversial.
@@BetterWithBob Lol! Aaww My costume wasn't that great XD I just wore her dress over my clothes and accidentally ripped it in the process when I had to sit down criss cross apple sauce. XD
This is such a good video. My youngest is 20 now.. I don't watch a lot of Disney movies these days. Thank you so much for bringing me to tears while reminding me how much I love Meg, and her movie.
Meg is the exact brand of 'girl boss' attitude that disney has been trying recreate, except they're trying to recreate it with none of the flaws or 'heart' that make it appealing or redeemable maybe it's just the accent, but she kinda also reminds me of Mercy from the The Warriors; not fully the same character arc, but the same degree of flaw and attitude given what The Warriors was based off of, i guess that checks out, so.... lmao also, big LOL at anyone trying to project any sort of morals onto anything based directly on Greek mythology
yeah for sure, they write gaslight girlkeep girlbosses instead of compelling female characters, who are both interesting to watch and have something to relate to (Strong Female Characters tend to be neither)
Rankings aren't objective. Lion King is ok, but super linear with no nuance. Simba is a character that has the plot happen to him. It's not one of my faves either
I didn't like the Hercules movie as a kid, but I always liked Meg. The older I get the more I love her! She's now my second favorite Disney character, only beat by Esmerelda. I actually really enjoyed the Hercules movie by the time I was a teenager. The Hercules animated series was pretty good too.
Technically they could have made her immortal, the way Psyche was made immortal after marrying Cupid. She wouldn’t be a goddess but she would be able to live with him on Mount Olympus.
I do prefer the actual ending tho. Cuz the ending really shows that Hercules sacrificed godhood to be with her. Bc if they made Meg also a god, it feels like a cop out of the stakes of their relationship if Hercules gets to have both Meg and Olympus
@@ElizaArikaThough I do agree with you about the ending it was common in older folk tales for the choice to be a test, he THINKS he's sacrificing his immortality for Meg but then afterwards is given both, this was quite common and I could have seen a world where they could have made that work, provided they really make the audience feel like his choice had weight before he makes it
I still think his choice permanently affecting his life is a better ending. Of course, this trope isn't bad either (I believe in no bad tropes, only bad writing) but personally it felt really meaningful to see Hercules choosing Meg over godhood and sticking with it. That you can be worth so much that someone will willingly give up the chance to live the life they've always wanted, for you, @@IskandrArchive
Hercules, Double Indemnity and the Big Sleep. Time for a rewatch. Edit: I just ordered my copy of The Lady Eve. Also Recommended for Stanwyk fans, The Strange Loves of Martha Ivers.
There's a line of figurines called Disney Traditions, and among it's subthemes is one of the hero and villain posed together. Aladdin and Jafar, Peter Pan and Hook, Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent. There's a reason they put Meg and Hades together, the movie has a lot to love but those two are the standouts.
I have a had a crush on this character since it out when I was a kid. She is genuine, I am a sucker for sarcasm & her voice is amazing. This has always been my favorite Disney film.
I think what is appealing about Meg, in comparison to many other female Disney protagonists (Princess?) is that she is a well developed, down to earth, & believable character, with a great deal of thought put into her character development. How many of us have been played a fool in our naivety of idealistic love, only to be embittered by our broken hearts from betrayal, & swear it off, or become the very incarnation that we ourselves hate in others? I.E. becoming detached, manipulative, & transactional in our relationships with others. Yet throughout all of her spite, she inadvertently is blessed to find someone in this life who loves, & accepts her for who she is. We should all be so lucky to have such a storybook happy ending. While in our own reality, many will simply give up, harden their hearts, & die alone from being unable to forgive ourselves, heal, & overcome our emotional trauma. This is why Meg is a heroine to be looked up to, & admired. For she truly is empowered, strong, & independent, yet never loses an ounce of her powerful femininity that is so lacking in our modern society of “boss b!tch” mentality.
By the nature of the story, Hercules couldn't be anything but his blessed basic self, so Meg, Hades and Phil had to carry all the personality for the movie, glad it gave Meg the chance to shine.
Hercules is my favorite Disney movie, and a big part of that is because of Meg. I can't think of a character that has ever made me feel so understood and seen. My favorite disney character ever and one that has ressonated with me for years.
I find that so interesting that they thought her Belle voice was so different from her Megara voice. The first time I ever listened to the stage version of Beauty and the Beast, I immediately recognized her as Meg, by her voice! Side note: Meg's hair is SO GOOD.
1:31 That's rich considering how many different versions of Greek mythology there are, most of which aren't exactly pg, yet they got stroppy because Disney decided to do a family friendly version?
Yeah I used to frequent cinemas all the time up until the pandemic, and then ever since it's been maybe once or twice a year, and even then because someone else wants to go
Hercules is one of my favourite Disney movie. I just loved the music as a kid. I'd sing along to all of it. Which to be perfectly honest there are a lot of movies like that but I loved meg. Although not a Disney movie at the time but Anastasia is my favourite princess movie. Music and the whole movie it was just magical
Great video, but don’t think there is enough evidence to state that Meg is an older woman in her 30s. “Keep moving junior” could be a reference to the fact that Hercules is an amateur hero, she did not even know his age. I definitely think Meg is more experienced than Hercules when it comes to dating, but it does not mean she is “older”. Also Hercules literally spent most of his teen years on an island with no women that we know of. Thus, he is naive for 18. I just never bought that Meg is in her older 20s or early 30s theory. At most if she is older she is probably 1-3 years older than him
Meg was confirmed to be older in the stage musical. Being already with Hades before Hercules was born. It's up to you if you want to see that as canon to the movie. (I prefer to view her as being 1-5 years older than Herc in the movie.)
@@beingafk3494did not know that about the musical. Interesting. The Hercules series in the 90s had Hercules going to school with Meg, so that would confirm she would not be in her 30s and close to Hercules age (1-2 years older or the same age). The series has a lot of inconsistencies like hades knowing Hercules is alive at that age so the cannon angle is questionable. I also read the twisted tale “Go the distance” a Disney licensed alternate ending to Hercules where Meg is confirmed to be 18 (same age as Hercules). Guess we will never be 100% sure of a cannon age.
I never think I can love Hercules anymore than I already do but fortunately I'm wrong again. Thank you for the analysis. Also, I'm now fixated on your thread about Delilah's harm torward Samson being framed as (metaphorically) assault and I'm itching to have that more dug into.
Thank you so much I learned so much from this video I was really drawn to Penny my first playthrough (I needed to be educated about ableism which I learned from this video thank you❤). I feel like one of the reason was the parentification, perfectionism and caretaking/giving that i relate to. I didnt know about parentification and i framed it differently, but yeah, we (my siblings and i) were always managing our mom's anxiety and intess distress and our dads rage, and the way you described parentification really, really resonated with my struggles I also feel like I missed seeing Penny's growth because I was distracted by the trad wife elements. Instead of just believing her when she said it was what she wanted I was always second guessing and worrying I was reinforcing/taking advantage of brainwashing, which assumes a level of passivity that is itself misogynistic. Anyways yeah I also overanalyze things but mostly thanks for the vid and everything you taught me ❤
I liked this video. Thank you for *not* having the most uncharitable interpretation of the Damsel and Fem fatale tropes. Subversion can be fun, but a lot of these serve a purpose and are easy to follow in my opinion.
Ok, that's more than one cut to 10 Things I Hate About you. I wasn't going to talk about it but that cut to Heaths slide in the bleachers has forced it out of me. 10 thing is the ONLY modern adaptation of Shakespeare to "modernize" the language but completely NAIL the intent of the words written. Perhaps a "Shakespeare adaptation" video in the future might be fun. Meg was my only Disney crush as a kid. Because of her sass. Not how she was drawn. Plus her gay codependent BFF Hades pouring ALL the toxicity in her ear and reinforcing her cynicism towards love was just DELIGHTFUL. 😂
I actually did a video on that about three years ago but I had very little clue about what I was doing back then aha. I've often considered the modernised Shakespeare adaptations video - since I actually quite like Get Over It (the high school A Midsummer Night's Dream) and O (the high school Othello)
All the girls that are considered part of the "Princess" club started and ended pure. They might be moody teenagers that have their ups and downs, but ultimately start pure and end pure. So I believe it's her greyness that's ultimately the reasoning for not being included. Other characters have come and gone (Esmerelda for example), but they never started off as being revealed in the beginning of the story to be working with THE villain. However, even if she was included at one point, I believe she would've eventually been removed like some of the others. Let's be real she didn't want to be included anyway. She's unfortunately not at Disney, because she doesn't wanna wonder around a theme park.
Esmeralda video is definitely in the works :) I did one on Pocahontas the movie years ago, and gave her a section analysing the character in a video on the original eight princesses
Hercules was the film that started my life long obsession with Greek mythology. I have Artemis tattooed on my calf and I’m just realising I probably projected Megs character onto my idea of who Artemis is and why I wanted her permanently on my skin…. No regrets
Having re-watched Hercules quite recently made me realize how much there were some things in it I enjoyed immensely even if it wasn't up there in my Top 15 Favorite Animated Films, and Meg was definitely one of those things that deserved more respect!!!
@@BetterWithBob My headcanon: centaurs were inspired by steppe nomad tribes that the Greeks encountered at some point. Come on, it makes sense! Horse -riding- walking, usually depicted with bow and arrow, *infamous for Redo of Healer'ing women...* The Greeks just mishmashed the man and the horse into one creature. _Come oooon! You gonna say I'm reaching?_
You can but not seamlessly. Those kinds of reactions are usually spontaneous, happening in the moment. If you give someone direction that specific, where it's a frame by frame change, it will look mechanical or too 'placed'.
I'm not sure why the title exists, though. Sure, Megan is a great character in what you deem a below average movie, but she also fundamentally couldn't exist outside of the context the movie places her in. It's necessary to have himbo idealist who learns to be good for real rather than for glory, in order to contrast the two. I think it just speaks to the quality of the movie in a more favorable way that you see it.
Okay, this is the third vid where you've mentioned disliking The Lion King, so I'm begging you, pleeeaaase give us a video on why this is, because I can't fathom it 🤣
Id argue meg is more morally good than ariel. She sold her soul to save someone she loves. Ariel sold her part of herself for herself, despite knowing full well it would break her family's hearts, and having no real reason to believe that this guy she saw once and never spoke to would even fall for her. Meg is a real hero. Ariel is a self centered kid.
Seems like you're misreading the story. Ariel was an abuse victim who got punished because she fell for someone of the species her father was prejudiced against - when Triton hears that she's in love, he's actually happy until he hears that it's a human - and she was manipulated by a predator who was lying in wait to use her for her own gain. Ariel saved an innocent person's life, which is how she met Eric in the first place
@@BetterWithBob she didnt sacrifice anything to save him. And a parent not wanting their 16 year old in an interspecies relationship isnt abuse. When your 16 year old wants to run away from home to boink a dolphin you let me know how supportive you are of that. The only time ariel made a sacrifice was to get what she wanted, not for anyone else. When she sacrificed, she was putting people she loved in emotional jeapordy to get what she wanted. If she wasnt a literal child princess, that would be a villain arc.
@@savageinkstudios2969Oh no, not wanting her to date a human wasn't the abuse, the abuse was destroying all of her things and doing it right in front of her. It was frightening and aggressive and destructive and so of course Ariel ran away and unfortunately fell prey to someone eager to capitalize on the new rift between king and daughter.
I think by Disney's loose rules, being the son of the leader of the God's makes u a prince. And if you partner up with a prince you're a princess. Jane is a princess bc she partnered w Tarzan. The bar is low. I don't care, just looking at consistency. If the voice actress doesn't want her to be a princess that is a good enough reason for me. Meg really is different and is the coolest Disney character.
The bar is flexible for the 'princess' branding. Mulan and Pocahontas aren't princesses in any sense (but Pocahontas was presented as one to the English in real life so there's that)
i think the other requirement for becoming a disney princess is 'an act of courage', thats how mulan and pocahontas became 'princesses'. she literally saved herc, so she deserves the spot. heck, you could even say she deserved a spot in Olympus just as much as Herc did.
You know what’s funny there are so many parts of younger me that identify with Hercules that I still carry to this day however lol the older I get I find myself to really relate to Meg. Which is probably why I like her song so much! 😂
I love that Meg and Herc went on an actual date before really falling for eachother.
I love that they went to see Oedipus Rex - who was one of Meg's relatives in the mythology lol
Same!
@@BetterWithBob”and I thought I had problem”
The funny thing is, in the original mythology, SHE IS A PRINCESS. Her dad is Creon, brother of Jacosta (mother/wife of Oedipus) and eventual King of Thebes. This also makes it interesting that Meg and Herc went to watch the play Oedipus Rex. They were LITERALLY watching her family drama play out on stage. 🤣
Omg I didn't know that 😂(hilarious 😆)
@@redadmiralofvalyria867 I didn't catch it myself until I watched again during 12th grade. I had taken AP Lit and we had recently covered Sophocles. I HOLLERED! 🤣🤣🤣
Oh. My. Gosh. 😮😂
No wonder she is so jaded about love in the movie. Who wouldn't be after that series of events
Wait she's antigones cousin?!
Hercules is a fun movie, but characters that stand out are Hades and Meg.
Saw this back in the day with my Mom one of my favs😊
Hades and Meg's scenes together has dialogue that pops like bubbles out of a champagne glass to the point where during Herc and Phil's scenes I just wanted to get back to Meg ... I think Hercules' main problem as a film is that it tried to be a parody of the Renaissance formula while also still trying to fit into the mold of a traditional Disney Ren film which is kind of counterproductive to having a consistent tone. Emperor's New Groove had some wholesome moments but was more committed to being a complete and total parody of the genre which is why its humor lands more IMO
@@jamesa.romano8500 That's a good point. Musker and Clements only made Hercules because Disney said if they did then they could make Treasure Planet, which was their passion project. And it was made to be very commercial and a bit of a repeat of Aladdin
Totally agree. Hercules is my favorite Disney movie and one of my favorite movies. Hadas is one of my favorite villains and Meg is one of my favorite Disney characters.
@@BetterWithBob Yeah I found that out a few years ago and suddenly my gut feeling about the movie started to make more sense. It just felt like they were phoning it in alot of the time - although I again do like the characters overall
Disney's best Himbo and best Sassy Queen couple.
Also love how they draw her eyebrows it's such a unique feature of hers
Oh you're right. Possibly they took inspiration from villainesses like Maleficent and the Evil Queen
@@BetterWithBob Oh shoot I didn't think about that that's such a cool idea 😍. Now I love her character concept even more now
Her eyebrows are based on Susan Egan’s :)
Her eyebrows are iconic
@@convivialjoys17I just googled it and I wouldnt be surprised if it was 😍😍🤩
I think it's interesting the contrasting journeys both Meg and Hercules have throughout the story, which highlights why they attract to each other. Meg goes from this human with a "goddess" like statue; fierce, independent, mysterious, scheming, to someone whose walls have been broken down and becomes ore vulnerable towards the end of the story y embracing the one thing she was avoiding all this time - love. Whereas Hercules goes from this god with the vulnerability and nativity of a young human, to an actual god with confidence and focus because, just like Meg, he learned to accept himself and embraced love as his resolve (as when he decides to rescue Meg), which brings his arc full circle.
Also Meg was one of the few Disney princesses who wanted to avoid love, because she had trusted the wrong person, whereas every other princess has always been open to love and never been betrayed by it.
@@lachancla3723 Meg actually isn't a Disney princess, but I would enjoy one like her--you know, without trying to kill her love interest.
This is a sign of a good movie, where both sides of the love interest story grow and develop. Meg isn't just a damsel in distress. Herc isn't just a hero who fixes everything because he's a "big strong man". They both make big mistakes with huge ramifications. They both step up and show heroism. Peak Disney story-telling.
This is excellent thematic analysis!!
I honestly would watch a solo movie just with Meg, Hades, and the Muses
@jamesa.romano8500 this needs to get made yesterday
And the Hades' two minions, pretty please
@@12SickOne34 Pain and Panic! We are WORMS!
My new "go to"-insult is "Aw, how cute. A couple of princesses looking for a theme-park." :D
@@alexissandren1884 I may have to borrow that one from time to time 😅
In the German version she’s says: aw how cute. Two skunks on their way to Disney land!
@@revi6482 omg that is so meta
I'm glad you pointed out the fact that Meg subverts the typical "the man must go through the emotional change" cliché and actually gives a woman a proper arc from villain to hero.... nowadays Disney never lets their women learn anything or go from being a bad person to a good person. Now women have to be perfect and badass and if they do have something to learn it's completely irrational (like Mulan learning to "embrace her powers and how special she is" or Raya learning to "trust" someone who doesn't deserve that trust at all.) This trend just takes away any unique character aspects they have, any interesting backstory that turns them into a more complex being... they're just flat and bland. I wish Disney could go back to making women characters like Meg.
Alma Madrigal!
I suppose Anna does go through an emotional change to become wiser and self-sacrificing but Frozen was ten years ago now
Meg was not really a bad person and a villain. She was just bitter and depressed about her ex boyfriend leaving her for someone else and she was forced to do Hadas plans.
What about Elsa who was traumatized by her powers and almost destroyed her own kingdom and sister by being unable to control it because of her fear and then learned to accept it because of Anna's love and trust in her?I know that Elsa is such a pop culture character that she almost doesn't feel like a real character but her development was really good in my opinion
@@mally_draws3023 Agree. Also Ariel, Cinderella, and Jane Darling.
As a kid I disliked this movie because it was inaccurate. As an older wiser adult I love this movie because it’s hilarious and heartwarming. Side note: the Lion King slander is blasphemous!
This, along with Clash of the Titans, were what sparked my interest in Greco-Roman mythologies. True, it's far from accurate to the original stories, but it also doesn't claim to be. It was one of my favorite Disney movies when I was a kid, and it still holds a place in my heart.
Also, the art style is fantastic for this film.
If you want a closer adaptation of Greek mythology, you could watch Blood of Zeus.
Disney movies aren't meant to hit the nail on the head, but lightly sprinkled and entertaining.. At least before the modern Disney movies came out.
Meg isn’t too good for this movie, she’s too good for Disney. Meg is more of a Dreamworks princess. Just look at Fiona, Chel, Eep, Zipporah. They’re not your typical old fashioned Disney princess that is almost helpless, and they’re not one of the newer Disney princesses that act like they don’t need anyone’s help. The Dreamworks ladies do need some help and they help the heroes also.
this is actually a real good take! maybe she is the blueprint of a Dreamwork Princess.
Except most Dreamworks females are in movies that are dominated by male protagonists. Say what you want about Disney but they have plenty of strong female leads that dominate their movies.
Meg is more real than the Disney Princesses because she lived a life where she wasn't sheltered before meeting Hercules. She knows life doesn't always work out in your favor. She is also why I was ok with being sarcastic and speaking my mind as a child/teen lol. Now that you brought up Esmeralda I hope you'll be doing a video on her! I recently watched The Hunchback of Notre Dame and WOW, so much of the messaging went over 6-year-old me's head. Frollo is terrifying in a way that I couldn't appreciate as a child and Esmeralda's strength, caring, and resilience should be noted.
I love Esmeralda so I'll probably do one eventually lol. So much to talk about there
Let's cheer things up 💖❤🧡💛💚💙💜, I am an autistic and intelligent woman myself and if Lacey was still alive, I would have interesting conversation, she liked Disney movies and I like anime, it would be about which Disney Princess is which anime girl and which Disney Prince is which anime boy
🏵🏵🏵🏵which Disney Prince is which anime boy🏵🏵🏵🏵:
Mickey Mouse = Kimba (Kimba The White Lion)
Florian = Haji (Blood+)
Phillipe = Yumeji (Yumekui Marry)
Henry = Leon (Trapped In A Dating Sim: Otome Games Are Tough For The Mobs)
Adam = Ichigo (Bleach)
Eugene = Yuji (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Mowgli = Senku (Dr. Stone)
Dimitri = Edward (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Jimm Hawking = Shinji (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Milo = Jeanne (Nadia The Secret Of Blue Water)
Tramp = Asta (Black Clover)
Arthur = Gon Freecs (Hunter X Hunter)
John Smith = Ryoga (Ranma 1/2)/Kouga (Inuyasha)
John Rolfe = Ranma (Ranma 1/2)/Inuyasha (Inuyasha)
Hercules = Goku (Dragon Ball)
Li Shang = Tanjiro (Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba)
Aladdin = Naruto (Naruto Shippuden)
Peter Pan = Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)
Tarzan = Eren (Attack On Titan)
Naveen = Train (Black Cat)
Quasimodo = Deku (My Hero Academia)
Phoebus = Bakugo/Todoroki (My Hero Academia)
Taran = Meliodas (Seven Deadly Sins)
Mateo = Natsu (Fairy Tail)
Simba = Yoh (Shaman King)
Eric = Kaito (Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi)
🌸🌸🌸🌸which Disney Princess is which anime girl🌸🌸🌸🌸:
Minnie Mouse = Kitty (Kimba The White Lion)
Snowhite = Saya (Blood+)
Aurora = Merry (Yumekui Merry)
Cinderella = Olivia (Trapped In A Dating Sim: Otome Games Are Tough For The Mobs)
Belle = Orihime (Bleach)
Rapunzel = Nobara (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Shanti = Yuzuriha (Dr. Stone)
Anastasia = Winry (Fullmeatl Alchemist)
Amelia = Asuka (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Kida = Nadia (Nadia The Secret Of Blue Water)
Lady = Noelle (Black Clover)
Alice = Sakura (Cardcaptor Sakura)/Pomni/Ragatha (The Amazing Digital Circus)
Pocahontas = Akane (Ranma 1/2)/Kagome (Inuyasha)
Megara = Chichi/Bulma (Dragon Ball)
Fa Mulan = Kanao (Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba)
Jasmine = Hinata (Naruto Shippuden)
Wendy Darling = Nico Robin/Nami (One Piece)
Tinkerbelle = Shirahoshi (One Piece)
Jane = Mikasa (Attack On Titan)
Tiana = Kyoko (Black Cat)
Esmeralda = Uraraka/Momo (My Hero Academia)
Eilonwy = Elizabeth/Diane (Seven Deadly Sins)
Elena = Lucy (Fairy Tail)
Nala = Anna (Shaman King)
Ariel = Lucia (Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi)Одговори
Which princess was sheltered?? They all had their own problems and issues
@kant.68 having issues doesn't mean they weren't sheltered. Jasmine and Ariel literally had to escape their homes in secret to see what the real world was like. Snow White was chased from the only home she knew and was so easily manipulated by the Evil Queen even after being told not to trust strangers. Belle grew up in a tiny community she didn't leave until trying to save her father. Aurora was raised in the woods with nothing but fairies and animals as her companions. They all meet the definition of sheltered...
4:20 “Ironic, yes”
This gave me a chuckle because, being familiar with the historical Pocahontas, I literally thought the same thing as soon as I heard this.
Twinzies!
I agree except the war part because in the beginning of the movie it shows her tribe coming back from fighting another tribe. It shows the tribal woman excited to see thier men come back home.
@@sonicmiku3009
It's also intriguing that we're never shown specific details
Who started the war? Who were the aggressors? Was it a "just war" etc etc
It's small details like this that are interesting to me
I love your take on the damsel in distress, I never heard it explained like that before
I credit my friends Liana Kerzner and Song W Eretson, and their podcast Two Women Talking, for helping me see another perspective. I highly recommend their stuff ^_^
I clicked this expecting it to be one of those "turn my brain off and listen to someone glaze a character I love" type deals, but I actually learned a lot, including *why* Meg has always been my favourite Disney gal. This is a great video!
I loved Meg growing up. I remember owning the barbie and outfit for Halloween.
I was a cynical teenager when Hercules came out, so of course I absolutely loved Megara. All these years later she remains my favourite Disney character.
I grew up in the Greek Orthodox Church so, naturally, when Hercules came out there was a whole organized EVENT to go see it in theaters 😆 Yes, the mythology was inaccurate, but the people at my church were so pumped to see their culture in a Disney movie. When I saw Meg for the first time I thought to myself “When I’m old enough to date, I want to have this level of confidence.” 😂😂 I wanted to dress up like her for Halloween but my mom said no because her outfit was too sexy 😅 She’s still an icon though!
Aw amazing. Did you eventually get to dress up as her?
@@BetterWithBob actually Fashion Nova (of all brands!) designed a dress like hers, so now I can dress up like her most days, haha!
Wait. I find this hilarious cause on face value, it's a pretty normal Greesian theme dress 🤣🤣🤣. It's not particularly revealing and it bearly shows skin like Jasmie or Ariel does. What makes it sexy is the person wearing it 😂
@@ohw5306 I think my mom was thinking about the Essence of what Meg stands for. To compensate, she bought me this totally 90s outfit from the Disney Store (the ONLY thing she ever bought there, haha!). It had a white t-shirt underneath and a blue overdress that said "So Greek, so chic" and I wore it most days until I outgrew it 😅
In terms of personality and even backstory to an extent my boyfriend and I are very similar to Hercules and Meg. I always enjoyed her as a character. I wouldn't say my boyfriend was "my type" when we first started seeing eachother casually but in hindsight and seeing how the chemistry unfolded between these two reflected our relationship.
Interesting paralell about the voice of Meg also being the voice of Broadway Belle. In the Swedish dubbing, the actress who voiced Megara had also voiced Jasmine in Aladdin. Wich was quite a shock to find out, considering how different (and close to the American originals) the voices where.
Does she do a good job at distinguishing between the two?
Was she a Wahlgren, like every other voice in Swedish animated movies? 😄
@@korganrocks3995 Nope, she was voiced by Myrra Malmberg, however Hercules himself was voiced by a Wahlgren lol
@@themallliiin They're everywhere! 😄
@BetterWithBob She did a amazing job! I didn't realise it was the same actress until I was an adult fan of her and looked back into her catalogue.
Oh my God, I never put two and two together and realized Meg literally calls Hercules "junior", therefore he's likely much younger than her! Honestly that just makes me love her and ship her with Hercules even MORE. 😮 I think it was watching the Hercules TV show which showed her as a teenager at the same time as him that threw me off even though I knew the movie and show didn't meld properly timeline wise.
So many of us truly appreciate that someone would feature Meg like this! So easy to fall in love with her character.
24:33 not me crying over this explanation
as a kid I always loved this movie. I like that he's the hero but is dumb af, and I love that she's just... compelling. you can tell where she's coming from. and never until now did I clock into the fact she's the only disney heroine to have a "past". love that for her, now I love this movie even more
I love Hercules as a whole, so it's always nice coming across a video praising some aspect of it or another. Hercules, Meg, and Hades are all fantastic characters (I know Hades and Meg seem to get all the love, but personally I find Hercules better than the vast majority of Disney male leads), but Meg definitely has the most unique and interesting arc and personal story of the bunch. Her character really raises this movie to another level. Was a pleasure listening to you give her some much deserved love and exploring the history behind what lead to her being written the way she is!
Hercules himself definitely has the benefit of not being a jerk or womaniser who also never once lies to the girl, and laying down his life for her is also very noble. Obviously Philip and Aladdin risked their lives too but Hercules was literally condemning himself to death as part of the deal
@BetterWithBob A deal that, turns out,was rigged from the start!
_"Y'know what I forgot? You're going to_ die _before you reach her. THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM, IS IT~?"_
This was a fantastic video. Thank you for making it. Meg is a criminally underrated character
Thanks for watching :)
5:22 Hades is so devious, he hand her the vase so that she would drop it when she heard what he had to say.
You literally just said what the video said. Congrats you have viewing comprehension
@@abysmalreign2207congrats for saying nothing with your comment.
@@Cholmes-lf5kd Why are you getting mad that someone's comment got criticized? He was indeed saying something: that just repeating what the video says isn't worth anything.
Thank you for making this!
I have a deep connection with this character. (Watch out here comes my life story.)
I was 10 or 11 years old when I first watched Hercules.
At first I thought Meg had a nice design, a cool personality and that she was special in a way (I could not pin down how, though)...but then she also started singing and we got to see behind her mask...and I was done for. (Side note: I did not watch it in english back then, but nowadays I do prefer the original dub.)
From that point on I became obsessed with this character.
I bought the DVD as soon as I got my next pocket money, so I could watch the movie over and over again (making this the first movie I have ever bought).
I watched it everyday after school for months and would often skip to the scene where Meg first appears, since I was not that interested in Herc's story ( I did not dislike him, Meg was just better).
Since that was around the time where I got into puberty I guess it's easy to imagine that Meg had some impact on my development...especially when I started dating and the relationships did not turn out that well.
I found it comforting to see a female character who had bad relationships before she met the person who was actually meant for her. That made me feel less "broken".
You can try to be bestest partner and basically throw you life away and people can still treat you badly...That is also why I think it is not just better if Hades had nothing to do with her ex leaving her, but it is actually needed to show that those kind of people exist.
(Though, if someone is interested the book "Twisted Tale: Go the Distance" explores the idea of Hades having something to do with it...It's fine.)
Over the years I also got to appreciate those other little things about Meg...like her being actually older than the male lead, what is really rare. (though, I don't like how much older they made her in the stage musical...) or that her hair "puff" is similarly designed as Mickey Mouse's ears (it looks the same from every angle).
A while back I also watched a video essay that explains how both Meg and Hercules are defying gender norms, with Meg seeming to be the more dominant part in the relationship, while Hercules is sweet, naive and pure-hearted. (That one made me appreciate Hercules more.)
Over all Megara had been my number 1 Disney character for (over) 13 years and I have never imagined that someday someone will knock her of her throne...She still is my favorite Disney MOVIE character, though.
(It took me like 20 attempts to post this...Thank you, youtube...)
I'll reckon the whole "flawed male goes through a redemption arc" cliche is still mostly guy focused even outside of Disney, and that only recently in the last 20 years we've had genuine grey women and not just "Action Heroine", "Mom" and "Plucky Princess Damsel". Another reason why Meg is unique!
I'm trying to think of more examples with female characters and I guess The Princess Diaries - Mia jilts Michael and Lily to fool around at a beach party with Josh, who then humiliates her, and she has to make it up to them
Hercules has my FAVORITE romantic moments in all Disney films. It’s the main reason why I rewatch it so many times. Even watching it now makes my heart skip a beat!
Along with the centaurs, don’t read into what actually happens to Meg in Greek mythology. It will truly just depress you.
I know centaurs but meg can't be that bad... right? Right?
Oh yeah she gets beaten to death along with their children when Hera drives Hercules as punishment for having been born.
@@cathygrandstaff1957 ngl compared to other stuff its not so bad.
@@tbc1880What does that say about Greek Mythology when a man driven by madness murdering his own wife and children is considered “not that bad” 😂😂
@MAXKIDDO8888 soooo true! My brother had a Greek mythology phase and I had to tell him I didn't need to know anymore. The Greeks sure do know the meaning of pain and torture.
If the movie was accurate to Greek mythology:
Hercules: "Living on Olympus means I can't be together with Meg..."
Zeus: "Uh, why exactly? I also brought Ganymede here, and the only reason this place isn't filled to the brink with young mortal women is because Hera only lets me bring men."
I love Meg, she's probably why I love old Noir flicks with Femme Fatales in them, cuz she is one. A rather simple one, but she does fit the bill, she just reforms by the end.
Hercules is in my top five favorite Disney movies. Really worried how they might fuck up Meg with the live action remake...
I feel your worries
Just accept the fact they WILL fuck up Meg and likely everyone else. If the last 8 years were any indication is that we cannot trust current Disney. Not their directors,not their writers, *specially not their higher ups...* and even the few good ones that try to make a diamond will get screwed over by the majority of their colleagues. 😔
Meg was ALWAYS my favorite part of the movie. I had a doll of her when I was little. I loved that doll so much!
okay so… there’s not much catching my interest these days on RUclips. Your takes are so fresh and genuinely interesting to watch. Found your channel a few days ago, binge watched everything, and was pleasantly surprised to come home from work and see this new post. Can’t wait to see what you do next!
Why thank you very much, this was lovely to read ^_^
Courtney is also a very cool name :)
Came to watch a love letter to Megara (never a Princess but always a Queen in my book) and get hit with references to the OT and Billy Wilder. Your editing is great too
This is by far the best analysis of the movie! Meg and Esmerelda are some of my favorite Disney characters
Hercules second last after The Lion King?! My guy, that's the top 2 you're talking about there.
I've just never been wild about The Lion King. Something about it just doesn't do it for me. And being a Pocahontas ride or die, the way TLK fans loved to bash it in comparison because they were in production at the same time did not help
Same here @@BetterWithBob
Lion King is way overrated.
Pocahontas, Hunchback, and Mulan are all pretty low on my list too.
Hercules is way better than all of them. Meg is probably the best disney "princess" besides maybe Rapunzel
Throw in Aladdin and you've got my top 3, if I wanna be really spicy I'll add in Mulan and Emperor's New Groove for a top 5 that might be a bit controversial.
@@korganrocks3995 Aladdin and Emperor's New Groove are great. I always forget the latter is Disney
Enjoyed the video, really interesting! Meg is great and definitely one of my favorite Disney heroines, and I think you've helped me realize why.
Thanks for watching :)
I remember loving meg enough to try to dress up as her during Halloween when I was 8.
Aw that's awesome :) I never had the guts to dress up as a Disney character as a kid
@@BetterWithBob Lol! Aaww My costume wasn't that great XD I just wore her dress over my clothes and accidentally ripped it in the process when I had to sit down criss cross apple sauce. XD
This is such a good video. My youngest is 20 now.. I don't watch a lot of Disney movies these days. Thank you so much for bringing me to tears while reminding me how much I love Meg, and her movie.
Meg is the exact brand of 'girl boss' attitude that disney has been trying recreate, except they're trying to recreate it with none of the flaws or 'heart' that make it appealing or redeemable
maybe it's just the accent, but she kinda also reminds me of Mercy from the The Warriors; not fully the same character arc, but the same degree of flaw and attitude
given what The Warriors was based off of, i guess that checks out, so.... lmao
also, big LOL at anyone trying to project any sort of morals onto anything based directly on Greek mythology
I haven't seen The Warriors but agree with the first point
yeah for sure, they write gaslight girlkeep girlbosses instead of compelling female characters, who are both interesting to watch and have something to relate to (Strong Female Characters tend to be neither)
1:56 we gonna just breeze past that this guy ranks Lion King last?
Literally paused the video lol
Rankings aren't objective. Lion King is ok, but super linear with no nuance. Simba is a character that has the plot happen to him. It's not one of my faves either
Right!!! I couldn't believe it. My childhood is crushed.
8:00
Ah, so Heruc is also into older women. No wonder why Hercules is in my top 3 animated Disney Classics
Oh my
I didn't like the Hercules movie as a kid, but I always liked Meg. The older I get the more I love her! She's now my second favorite Disney character, only beat by Esmerelda.
I actually really enjoyed the Hercules movie by the time I was a teenager. The Hercules animated series was pretty good too.
Loved the series too. Didn't see it all but I remember loving the expanded roles for all the gods
Even better: Zeus says "You know, Megara's proven her heroism too" and turns HER into a god!
Technically they could have made her immortal, the way Psyche was made immortal after marrying Cupid. She wouldn’t be a goddess but she would be able to live with him on Mount Olympus.
I do prefer the actual ending tho. Cuz the ending really shows that Hercules sacrificed godhood to be with her. Bc if they made Meg also a god, it feels like a cop out of the stakes of their relationship if Hercules gets to have both Meg and Olympus
@@ElizaArikaThough I do agree with you about the ending it was common in older folk tales for the choice to be a test, he THINKS he's sacrificing his immortality for Meg but then afterwards is given both, this was quite common and I could have seen a world where they could have made that work, provided they really make the audience feel like his choice had weight before he makes it
I still think his choice permanently affecting his life is a better ending. Of course, this trope isn't bad either (I believe in no bad tropes, only bad writing) but personally it felt really meaningful to see Hercules choosing Meg over godhood and sticking with it. That you can be worth so much that someone will willingly give up the chance to live the life they've always wanted, for you, @@IskandrArchive
Hercules is my childhood, and its nice to see it get some praise for the great character work it does!
This video was brilliant! Truly very well done, good to see my favourite Disney heroine getting the love she deserves ❤
Thank you for watching :)
Hercules, Double Indemnity and the Big Sleep. Time for a rewatch.
Edit: I just ordered my copy of The Lady Eve. Also Recommended for Stanwyk fans, The Strange Loves of Martha Ivers.
There's a line of figurines called Disney Traditions, and among it's subthemes is one of the hero and villain posed together. Aladdin and Jafar, Peter Pan and Hook, Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent. There's a reason they put Meg and Hades together, the movie has a lot to love but those two are the standouts.
Oh I'll have to look for those
I have a had a crush on this character since it out when I was a kid. She is genuine, I am a sucker for sarcasm & her voice is amazing. This has always been my favorite Disney film.
I think what is appealing about Meg, in comparison to many other female Disney protagonists (Princess?) is that she is a well developed, down to earth, & believable character, with a great deal of thought put into her character development. How many of us have been played a fool in our naivety of idealistic love, only to be embittered by our broken hearts from betrayal, & swear it off, or become the very incarnation that we ourselves hate in others? I.E. becoming detached, manipulative, & transactional in our relationships with others. Yet throughout all of her spite, she inadvertently is blessed to find someone in this life who loves, & accepts her for who she is. We should all be so lucky to have such a storybook happy ending. While in our own reality, many will simply give up, harden their hearts, & die alone from being unable to forgive ourselves, heal, & overcome our emotional trauma. This is why Meg is a heroine to be looked up to, & admired. For she truly is empowered, strong, & independent, yet never loses an ounce of her powerful femininity that is so lacking in our modern society of “boss b!tch” mentality.
Excellently said :)
By the nature of the story, Hercules couldn't be anything but his blessed basic self, so Meg, Hades and Phil had to carry all the personality for the movie, glad it gave Meg the chance to shine.
Hercules is my favorite Disney movie, and a big part of that is because of Meg.
I can't think of a character that has ever made me feel so understood and seen.
My favorite disney character ever and one that has ressonated with me for years.
The french voice of Megara is simply the best😊
Meg is an excellent character in an excellent movie. Love to see her getting love
I find that so interesting that they thought her Belle voice was so different from her Megara voice. The first time I ever listened to the stage version of Beauty and the Beast, I immediately recognized her as Meg, by her voice! Side note: Meg's hair is SO GOOD.
Apparently they designed the hair to have elements of Greek pottery XD
1:31 That's rich considering how many different versions of Greek mythology there are, most of which aren't exactly pg, yet they got stroppy because Disney decided to do a family friendly version?
That’s an interesting observation I never noticed. For all you know Meg could be nearly twice Hercules’ age.
Lindsay Ellis seemed to think she was nearly 30
20:26 "Which is why Meg is in need of more splurching later on"
Oh the nostalgia! Watched this in theaters when I was 6 or 7. Blew my mind! I wish I could have that kind of excitement for a new movie these days
Yeah I used to frequent cinemas all the time up until the pandemic, and then ever since it's been maybe once or twice a year, and even then because someone else wants to go
In the original myth Megara is in fact a princess of Thebes. And, in some versions, she happens to be the cousin of Oedipus.
Hercules is one of my favourite Disney movie. I just loved the music as a kid. I'd sing along to all of it. Which to be perfectly honest there are a lot of movies like that but I loved meg. Although not a Disney movie at the time but Anastasia is my favourite princess movie. Music and the whole movie it was just magical
Anastasia is spectacular
Fantastic video. Absolutely loved it
Hope you do a Draco in leather pants video too
Great video, but don’t think there is enough evidence to state that Meg is an older woman in her 30s. “Keep moving junior” could be a reference to the fact that Hercules is an amateur hero, she did not even know his age. I definitely think Meg is more experienced than Hercules when it comes to dating, but it does not mean she is “older”. Also Hercules literally spent most of his teen years on an island with no women that we know of. Thus, he is naive for 18. I just never bought that Meg is in her older 20s or early 30s theory. At most if she is older she is probably 1-3 years older than him
Meg was confirmed to be older in the stage musical. Being already with Hades before Hercules was born.
It's up to you if you want to see that as canon to the movie.
(I prefer to view her as being 1-5 years older than Herc in the movie.)
@@beingafk3494did not know that about the musical. Interesting. The Hercules series in the 90s had Hercules going to school with Meg, so that would confirm she would not be in her 30s and close to Hercules age (1-2 years older or the same age). The series has a lot of inconsistencies like hades knowing Hercules is alive at that age so the cannon angle is questionable. I also read the twisted tale “Go the distance” a Disney licensed alternate ending to Hercules where Meg is confirmed to be 18 (same age as Hercules). Guess we will never be 100% sure of a cannon age.
that outro line djbdshjb
great video and insight!!
I never think I can love Hercules anymore than I already do but fortunately I'm wrong again. Thank you for the analysis. Also, I'm now fixated on your thread about Delilah's harm torward Samson being framed as (metaphorically) assault and I'm itching to have that more dug into.
Meg is my favorite part of the movie for me. The personality, the cadence of speech thats so fast. Just brilliantly acted.
I won't say I'm in love is my fav Disney song
Thank you so much I learned so much from this video
I was really drawn to Penny my first playthrough (I needed to be educated about ableism which I learned from this video thank you❤). I feel like one of the reason was the parentification, perfectionism and caretaking/giving that i relate to. I didnt know about parentification and i framed it differently, but yeah, we (my siblings and i) were always managing our mom's anxiety and intess distress and our dads rage, and the way you described parentification really, really resonated with my struggles
I also feel like I missed seeing Penny's growth because I was distracted by the trad wife elements. Instead of just believing her when she said it was what she wanted I was always second guessing and worrying I was reinforcing/taking advantage of brainwashing, which assumes a level of passivity that is itself misogynistic.
Anyways yeah I also overanalyze things but mostly thanks for the vid and everything you taught me ❤
I liked this video.
Thank you for *not* having the most uncharitable interpretation of the Damsel and Fem fatale tropes. Subversion can be fun, but a lot of these serve a purpose and are easy to follow in my opinion.
I love when a grumpy and cold girl becomes kind and sweet with the help of a nice boy, like Mai Valentine or Black Cat
Did he just say The Lion King is the weakest Renaissance movie? I really don't know if I can listen to the rest of this
I disagree too but id say i still agree with the rest he said.
Ok, that's more than one cut to 10 Things I Hate About you. I wasn't going to talk about it but that cut to Heaths slide in the bleachers has forced it out of me.
10 thing is the ONLY modern adaptation of Shakespeare to "modernize" the language but completely NAIL the intent of the words written.
Perhaps a "Shakespeare adaptation" video in the future might be fun.
Meg was my only Disney crush as a kid. Because of her sass. Not how she was drawn. Plus her gay codependent BFF Hades pouring ALL the toxicity in her ear and reinforcing her cynicism towards love was just DELIGHTFUL. 😂
I actually did a video on that about three years ago but I had very little clue about what I was doing back then aha. I've often considered the modernised Shakespeare adaptations video - since I actually quite like Get Over It (the high school A Midsummer Night's Dream) and O (the high school Othello)
All the girls that are considered part of the "Princess" club started and ended pure. They might be moody teenagers that have their ups and downs, but ultimately start pure and end pure. So I believe it's her greyness that's ultimately the reasoning for not being included. Other characters have come and gone (Esmerelda for example), but they never started off as being revealed in the beginning of the story to be working with THE villain. However, even if she was included at one point, I believe she would've eventually been removed like some of the others. Let's be real she didn't want to be included anyway. She's unfortunately not at Disney, because she doesn't wanna wonder around a theme park.
Well said lol
Please, please, please do a video on Jane from Tarzan, Esmeralda from Hunchback and Pocahontas.
Esmeralda video is definitely in the works :) I did one on Pocahontas the movie years ago, and gave her a section analysing the character in a video on the original eight princesses
Hercules was the film that started my life long obsession with Greek mythology. I have Artemis tattooed on my calf and I’m just realising I probably projected Megs character onto my idea of who Artemis is and why I wanted her permanently on my skin…. No regrets
Artemis is very cool in your defence :D
Meg is absolutely one of my favorite fictional female representation
I never thought of Meg as older than Hercules. I thought they were around the same age.
Having re-watched Hercules quite recently made me realize how much there were some things in it I enjoyed immensely even if it wasn't up there in my Top 15 Favorite Animated Films, and Meg was definitely one of those things that deserved more respect!!!
This was always one of my favourite movies as a kid and this essay has proved all the reasons why
Thank you very much :)
This is such a fantastic video. Congratulations!!
@@Royalhanburglar thank you for watching 🙂
4:50 - See, now I'm going to Google Centaurs. If you hadn’t said it, I wouldn't, so this is on you😂
I'm like the bell in Charn from The Chronicles of Narnia ;) I don't know whether or not to say don't Google that either hehehe
@@BetterWithBob My headcanon: centaurs were inspired by steppe nomad tribes that the Greeks encountered at some point.
Come on, it makes sense! Horse -riding- walking, usually depicted with bow and arrow, *infamous for Redo of Healer'ing women...* The Greeks just mishmashed the man and the horse into one creature. _Come oooon! You gonna say I'm reaching?_
24:42
You can't replicate someone's expression changing in life action? I somehow doubt that
You can but not seamlessly. Those kinds of reactions are usually spontaneous, happening in the moment. If you give someone direction that specific, where it's a frame by frame change, it will look mechanical or too 'placed'.
Great video. Meg was always my favorite aspect of the movie.
They need to make new merch of the Muses and Meg
I want an alarm clock where the Muses sing a different song at each time of the day XD
I can't believe the permanently raised eyebrow on Meg's doll. Dying
She is my absolute favorite Disney character hands down. And Anastasia which technically isn’t Disney IP.
They own her movie now so you including her would hold up in court hehe
I don’t think I’ve ever got through a star is born without a tear in my eye….
24:12 no wonder she’s my favorite…I’m still in my Meg stage
Her voice is beautiful!
hercules (and hunchback of notredame) is easily my favorite disney movie and you added a lot to to it with this analysis
Thank you for watching :) I literally just finished rewatching Hunchback a few minutes ago and...chills every time
@@BetterWithBob it never gets old!!
I'm not sure why the title exists, though. Sure, Megan is a great character in what you deem a below average movie, but she also fundamentally couldn't exist outside of the context the movie places her in. It's necessary to have himbo idealist who learns to be good for real rather than for glory, in order to contrast the two. I think it just speaks to the quality of the movie in a more favorable way that you see it.
The story structure is what makes it a weaker movie to me, mainly the third act
I didn’t get to see this one till I was in my 20s, and immediately fell in love with it because of Meg.
I always loved Hercules. It's my 2nd favorite after Mulan.
Great songs, great topic, very fun characters.
Okay, this is the third vid where you've mentioned disliking The Lion King, so I'm begging you, pleeeaaase give us a video on why this is, because I can't fathom it 🤣
Haha I may just have to ^_^
Love this movie but I don't think I ever gave it the complete flowers that it deserves
23:40 nooo wait I'm not familiar with Draco in Leather pants. Pls tell me you got a video on that coming up sir 😭
@@TCt83067695 nah not in the immediate plans sorry 🙈
Id argue meg is more morally good than ariel. She sold her soul to save someone she loves. Ariel sold her part of herself for herself, despite knowing full well it would break her family's hearts, and having no real reason to believe that this guy she saw once and never spoke to would even fall for her.
Meg is a real hero. Ariel is a self centered kid.
Seems like you're misreading the story. Ariel was an abuse victim who got punished because she fell for someone of the species her father was prejudiced against - when Triton hears that she's in love, he's actually happy until he hears that it's a human - and she was manipulated by a predator who was lying in wait to use her for her own gain. Ariel saved an innocent person's life, which is how she met Eric in the first place
@@BetterWithBob she didnt sacrifice anything to save him. And a parent not wanting their 16 year old in an interspecies relationship isnt abuse. When your 16 year old wants to run away from home to boink a dolphin you let me know how supportive you are of that. The only time ariel made a sacrifice was to get what she wanted, not for anyone else. When she sacrificed, she was putting people she loved in emotional jeapordy to get what she wanted. If she wasnt a literal child princess, that would be a villain arc.
@@savageinkstudios2969Oh no, not wanting her to date a human wasn't the abuse, the abuse was destroying all of her things and doing it right in front of her. It was frightening and aggressive and destructive and so of course Ariel ran away and unfortunately fell prey to someone eager to capitalize on the new rift between king and daughter.
I think by Disney's loose rules, being the son of the leader of the God's makes u a prince. And if you partner up with a prince you're a princess.
Jane is a princess bc she partnered w Tarzan. The bar is low.
I don't care, just looking at consistency. If the voice actress doesn't want her to be a princess that is a good enough reason for me. Meg really is different and is the coolest Disney character.
The bar is flexible for the 'princess' branding. Mulan and Pocahontas aren't princesses in any sense (but Pocahontas was presented as one to the English in real life so there's that)
i think the other requirement for becoming a disney princess is 'an act of courage', thats how mulan and pocahontas became 'princesses'. she literally saved herc, so she deserves the spot. heck, you could even say she deserved a spot in Olympus just as much as Herc did.
You know what’s funny there are so many parts of younger me that identify with Hercules that I still carry to this day however lol the older I get I find myself to really relate to Meg. Which is probably why I like her song so much! 😂
I'm the same :)