Oliver and Company
Disney has released about 50 animated movies. Classics like Dumbo, Sleeping Beauty, Toy Story, and Bambi. My favorite? The first one I ever saw in theaters - Oliver & Company. *pause* You know, the 1980s one with a cat and dogs, loosely based on Oliver Twist? Ah, no one knows about this movie!
It's a forgotten classic and a great example that the so called "dark ages" of Disney (1966's Jungle Book to 1989's Little Mermaid weren't that dark at all.) Why is it so good? 5 big reasons.
1. Nostalgia. Oops, this is a narrow reason that only impacts me. I had the Xmas ornaments of Oliver and Dodger from McDonalds. (Still have? Haven't had a tree in years.) Moving on. . .
2. Amazing songs.
Once Upon a Time In New York City:
The song really has a 1980s "New York" feeling. It is not a generic "Disney" song.
Why Should I Worry:
Who's that singing? Why yes it's Billy Joel!! Leading to the next awesome reason. . .
3. Amazing voice talent.
Billy Joel isn't just the signing voice of Dodger, he is the voice of the character through the entire movie. Bette Middler is also in it. Cheech Marin too. So is a very very young Joey Lawrence as Oliver. (Whoa!)
4. Artwork, design and animation.
Watercolors really capture NYC circa 1985. The animation is also top notch - no lazy character design shortcuts. And compare Oliver to the 1970s Aristocats. HUGE improvement!
5. Story.
It's not about saving the world. It's not over ambitious. Just a girl who wants to be reunited with her cat, a cat that wants a family and rogue that is mixed in. 90 or so minutes. Tight story. There are the inevitable lame jokes (cat/dog puns mostly). Oh and the villain is pretty good too - scared the %(*^( of me as a kid but fairly mild now.
Summary - Disney was always making great animated movies. It looks like the whole movie is on Youtube. I highly recommend it.
It's a forgotten classic and a great example that the so called "dark ages" of Disney (1966's Jungle Book to 1989's Little Mermaid weren't that dark at all.) Why is it so good? 5 big reasons.
1. Nostalgia. Oops, this is a narrow reason that only impacts me. I had the Xmas ornaments of Oliver and Dodger from McDonalds. (Still have? Haven't had a tree in years.) Moving on. . .
2. Amazing songs.
Once Upon a Time In New York City:
Click to viewThe song really has a 1980s "New York" feeling. It is not a generic "Disney" song.
Why Should I Worry:
Who's that singing? Why yes it's Billy Joel!! Leading to the next awesome reason. . .
3. Amazing voice talent.
Billy Joel isn't just the signing voice of Dodger, he is the voice of the character through the entire movie. Bette Middler is also in it. Cheech Marin too. So is a very very young Joey Lawrence as Oliver. (Whoa!)
4. Artwork, design and animation.
Watercolors really capture NYC circa 1985. The animation is also top notch - no lazy character design shortcuts. And compare Oliver to the 1970s Aristocats. HUGE improvement!
5. Story.
It's not about saving the world. It's not over ambitious. Just a girl who wants to be reunited with her cat, a cat that wants a family and rogue that is mixed in. 90 or so minutes. Tight story. There are the inevitable lame jokes (cat/dog puns mostly). Oh and the villain is pretty good too - scared the %(*^( of me as a kid but fairly mild now.
Summary - Disney was always making great animated movies. It looks like the whole movie is on Youtube. I highly recommend it.