Walt Disney retools the story of Oliver Twist into the rockin’ feline and canine world of New York City. Billy Joel provides a rousing song and this film also marks the first extensive use of CGI by the House of Mouse. The film’s success would pave the way for the company to begin a new golden age of animation.
Oliver (Joey Lawrence) is an orange kitten of many for sale on the streets of New York City. He turns out to be the last kitten in the box and is abandoned on the streets. He meets up with the streetwise, cunning mongrel Dodger (Billy Joel) when he cons Oliver into helping him steal some hot dogs from a hot dog cart.
The feisty Oliver isn’t happy that he’s been shafted of his portion of the meal so he follows Dodger back to his hideout. Dodger lives on the waterfront with Tito the Chihuahua (Cheech Marin), Francis the theatrical bulldog (Roscoe Lee Browne), Einstein the scatterbrained Great Dane (Richard Mulligan) and Rita the soulful Saluki (Sheryl Lee Ralph).
All of the dogs are the pets of Fagin (Dom DeLuise) who uses them to pull scams on the streets. Fagin owes money to the loan shark Sykes (Robert Loggia, but I would’ve sworn it was Vic Tayback) whose enforcers are two Dobermans, Roscoe (Taurean Blacque) and DeSoto (Carl Weintraub).
Fagin allows Oliver to join the gang and since his note with Sykes is coming due and Sykes promises bodily harm if he’s not paid, Oliver joins them on their next caper.
Frankie fakes getting hit by the limousine carrying Jenny (Natalie Gregory) and while her driver Winston (William Glover) is distracted by the scene, Oliver and Tito try and get the goods from the car. Jenny sees Oliver and grabs him when he gets caught up in the wiring of the car.
She takes him home and into the lap of luxury dominated by the spoiled poodle Georgette (Bette Midler) who doesn’t take kindly to the interloper. The gang shows up and sees that Jenny has enough money to cover Fagin’s debt so they plan to use Oliver as their inside man.
I suppose that Oliver & Company does have a fine pedigree (insert rimshot here) being based on the classic tale by Charles Dickens. It is a fun film but I’d not hold it up to the classics, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, etc.
However, if it were not for the success of the film those new Disney classics might not have come to be. The studio would take the financial success of Oliver as a sign and begin to release animated films annually.
The film does feature a rocking soundtrack featuring Huey Lewis, Billy Joel, Ruth Pointer, and Bette Midler. ‘Why Should I Worry?’ sung by Joel is the highlight of the soundtrack and the film.
The film was released onto DVD in 2002 and the new anniversary edition only really adds a new DVD game to the mix. However, if you’re lacking this title in your Disney collection then you may want to pick up this one.
It is a fun film and adds another entry in the talking animals canon of Disney animated films. In fact, keep yours eyes peeled for cameos by characters from Lady and the Tramp and 101 Dalmatians.
Oliver & Company is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.66:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Special features in the “Music and More” section include Sing-Along Songs of ‘Why Should I Worry?’ (3 minutes) and ‘Streets of Gold’ (1 minute). The “Games and Activities” section contains the “Oliver’s Big City Challenge” game. The “Backstage Disney” section (always my favorite) has the 5 minute “Making of Oliver & Company” and a 90 second look at “Disney’s Animated Animals.”
You also get a scrapbook, publicity materials (trailers (2 minutes) and a 30 second TV spot), the 2 minute “Return of a Classic” about the re-release of the film, and several text pages of ‘Fun Film Facts.’ Finally, you get two bonus shorts, the 8 minute “Lend a Paw” and the 7 minute “Puss Café.”
Oliver & Company doesn’t add much more than the first release, but the fun factor of the film makes up for it. Especially when you consider how these Disney releases are only around for a limited time you may want to pick it up this time if you missed that first release.
Oliver and Company (20th Anniversary Edition) is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for this version of the DVD in the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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