Mythic Proportions

Want to know what we learned by watching this film with our kids? Here are our buttery bits of wisdom:

• Hercules is fine for kids over six. Younger kids may find the multi-headed hydras a bit scary (and parents may find the Gospel gals a bit sexy), but all in all, the film is a great introduction to the many sculpted Gods they will meet at the Getty.
  
• Disney's loose adaptation of the myth, and the classical version, are quite different. In the ancient version, Heracles is born to Zeus and a mortal wife, Princess Alcmena. Hera, Zeus's Goddess wife, was jealous and caused Hercules to go mad and kill his wife and children. As penance, he undertook perilous tasks, known as the 12 Labors of Heracles (the first, to kill a monstrous lion, is why Hercules is often depicted with a lion's pelt and club). Eventually, Zeus restored Herucles' status as a God. We highly recommend D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths (see link below) as an addition to every family's library!
  
• If the animation style in Hercules looks slightly different to you, it's because Disney turned to British illustrator Gerald Scarfe for production design.

Want to know how to talk with your kids about this film? Here are our conversation starters:

• Ask the kids why they think the Greek and Roman myths have endured for so many generations.
  
• The Disney version of Hercules is very similar to another renowned American myth. See if the kids can relate this story line to that of one of our classic comic book heroes... you know, up in the sky - is it a bird, is it a plane?
  
• COOL FACT: This is the first Disney animated film that was inspired by mythology rather than a fairy tale.
  

Want to know what we learned by taking this adventure with our kids? Here are our buttery bits of wisdom:

• Parking reservations are mandatory for visiting the Villa, and parking costs $8. We've had more luck calling (310) 440-7300 than using their online reservation site. We did this adventure with school friends on a Parent Conference day, as weekends can be quite crowded.
  
• Until the end of March, the museum is running a promotion - parents can bring up to three kids per adult ticket, as long as the car count matches the adult ticket count.
• If the kids want to find other antiquities depicting Hercules, have them speak with a docent. This teaches them to ask for help, and gives the docents a reason to smile.
  
• Absolutely rent the $3 audio guides; each segment is written with intelligence and humor and really brings the art to life. Topics include Athletes, Gods and Heroes and Animals, and help kids to focus on a single topic, searching scavenger hunt style for artifacts.
  
• Two current exhibits are worth stopping into: Stories in Stone: Conserving Mosaics of Roman Africa is an engrossing, short exhibit of spectacular mosaics from a Roman village in Tunisia; on view until April 30. Molten Color: Glassmaking in Antiquity is a one-room exhibit, with four touch-screen video screens that show how glass is blown and shaped. Our kids loved watching these. This show is on view until April 23.
  
• The Family Room is a great spot for younger kids, who will be happy decorating vases with markers and engaging in a little shadow-play theater.
  
• Subscriber Tip: One of our readers, who knew we were writing about the Villa, recommends a room on the western side of the first floor that has a color-coded time lines of ancient history that wraps around the gallery.
  
• Stroller Babes: There is no food allowed in the galleries so leave snacks in the car. Bottles, however, are an exception so feel free to bring those bottles in your backpack...just remember, all bags are searched at security.
  

Want to help your kids learn more about the Getty? Here are some conversation topics:

• J. Paul Getty bought land in Malibu in 1945 and soon opened the original Getty Museum to house his collection of Greek and Roman antiquities. In the 80s, when the Getty Center in Brentwood was only an idea, the long reflecting pool and beautiful vases drew visitors from around the world. (Van Gogh's Irises helped, too). Since The Getty Center in Brentwood was built, the entire Villa is now dedicated to the museum's classical collection.
  
• The Getty Conservation departments works to preserve and restore art projects around the world; the current mosaic show is a joint project with local Tunisian organizations to save the Roman relics in that nation. The Getty website has video of these excavation and conservation projects in situ.
  
• COOL FACT: The word gymnasium means "A place to play sports naked." Visit the Athlete room and your kids will learn more about sports in the ancient world.
  

Want to do some advance work before visiting the Villa? Here are some thoughts:  

• Do a little homework on Greek and Roman gods and goddesses before your visit. Learning just a few stories will enrich your visit. A docent can help you find examples of the story you've learned.

Here's our advice on snacks and meals: 

• The cafe serves a varied menu and the food is delicious, although not inexpensive. A kids' menu is available. A coffee cart nearby serves hot drinks and delicious snacks and desserts.
  

Want to find some cool sites online? Here's what we unearthed:

www.whyville.net The Getty Museum is a featured member of this neat, educational site.