This Disney classic, "The Great Mouse Detective", is one of my favorite cartoon movies of all time. The film was released on Wednesday, July 2nd, 1986 (three weeks after Ferris Bueller). Features the talents of the late Barrie Ingham, Val Bettin, horror legend Vincent Price, Alan Young (Mister Ed), and Melissa Manchester.
In this cartoon adventure, taking place in London in the summer of 1897, a little mouse girl's father was mysteriously taken away by a peg-legged bat. So, the little girl, Olivia Flaversham, enlists the aid of Basil of Baker Street, a mouse version of our world famous Sherlock Holmes. After telling Basil what happened, immediately he knew who was behind this, his arch enemy Professor Ratigan (a la Professor Moriarty). Ratigan was using Olivia's father, who was a toy-maker, to make a robot replica of the mouse queen (a la Queen Victoria) to help him rule all of England. Now, Basil and his new partner, Major David Q. Dawson (a la Dr. Watson) have to rescue Olivia's father and stop Ratigan and his charade. Lots of adventure, thrills, laughs, and a combination of happy and sad moments. And of course, like all Disney movies, a happy ending.
I always admire this movie, because of it's animation. I love the expressions of the characters, their motivation, and their actions. Sometimes I like to act along with the characters of the movie, (especially Basil). I also like the music score by the great Henri Mancini (The Pink Panther movies and Breakfast at Tiffany's). Mostly, I like how expansive the movie is, how it makes you feel excited for what's going on, cheering for the heroes, and jeering for the villains. And I really enjoy the infamous Big Ben chase. I give this movie a thumbs up.
PARENTS GUIDE: To my opinion, I think this movie should be rated PG for these reasons: there is some violence, lots of uses of guns, but no gore. And there is a scene where Ratigan's cat eats one of his henchmen, off-screen and in silhouette. There are some uses of smoking, and characters drink liquor (mostly beer). The biggest concern of this movie I have is the "Let Me Be Good to You" scene, because it involves a female stripper mouse, and part of the song includes the phrase: "I'll take off all my blues." As if she's saying "I'll take off all my CLOTHES." I think that's the only sex scene in a Disney movie. And there are also some scenes that might be frightening to younger viewers.
DID YOU KNOW?: The famous Big Ben chase scene is the first major use of computer animation in a feature-length animated feature. Michael Plain, Peter Cook, and John Cleese (Monty Python's Flying Circus) were the original choices for the voice of Basil. Production only took one year to complete thanks to the use of computers.
DEDICATED TO MY COUSIN MEG
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