Hercules has been done and re-done and done all over again, but Disney makes a good attempt, and succeeds in making a really funny yet heartwarming story of the half-god half-man. However, if you're expecting to see the real story of Hercules, my suggestion is to go find Bulfinch's Mythology, becuase Disney's version won't help you pass the mythology test next week.
In the real story, Hercules' mother is raped by Zeus, which makes Hera(Zeus' evil, jealous conniving wife) really really ticked. So she tries to kill Herc, etc etc, blah blah. In the Disney version, Zeus and Hera are loving, caring olympus parents. Hercules becomes mortal after a botched attempt to kill him. Oh, by the way, in this verison, Hades, lord of the underworld, is the one trying to kill our hero, so that he can succeed in his hostile takeover bid for Mount Olympus.
Although the story has been so diluted, even greeks wouldn't recognize it, it's still very good. The actors doing the voices play the characters well, especially James Woods as a fast-talking Hades. ("Hi, how ya doin' I'm Hades, lord of the underworld") Hades is the best character in the movie, in my opinion. Tate Donovan does a good job as the youngish Hercules. Other mentionable names in the movie are Danny DeVito who plays Hercules' trainer Phil, Paul Shaffer as Hermes the messenger, Bobcat Golthwaite as Pain, one of Hades' mingons, and others.
This movie is a better children's movie than Hunchback was (less sexual imagery) and it's quite funny in places. If you like Disney-ized stories, you'll love Hercules. However, if you'd rather get the real picture, like I said before, seek out Bulfinch.