Animation Saturday: THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE (1986)

Title: THE GREAST MOUSE DETECTIVE (1986)

     There are so many stories that get told, about the dark period of Disney Animation. Concerning the efforts from the 70's-80's from the great mouse, being nothing but latent missteps. What is baffling is how many of these failure are remembered fondly, and by more than a healthy douse of nostalgia. Most animation buffs place the turning of the tide coming with "The Little Mermaid". They even made a fantastic documentary covering this period, in the form of WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY. Which will be covered on it's own entry.
    Out of these films, there are a few that left an impact on me. The biggest being The Great Mouse Detective. It finds its place here as a form of animated Sherlock Holmes feature, embodied here by Basil, who happens to live in a hole in the wall of 221 Baker Street. The feature even goes so far as to include the voice of Basil Rathbone portraying Holmes, where of course our lead character gets his namesake. Dr. Dawson is of course our faithful variation of Watson, and to make things even more entertaining, they include the one, the only, Toby the bloodhound, not only for his skills, but as a means of transportation. But what would a Disney film be without a menacing villian? Well that ground is covered as well in the form of Ratigan, voiced brilliantly, with much gusto by Vincent Price. Price was on record, on many occasions, citing the role as his favorite, and it can be felt in ever utterance. It was a favorite in my childhood, but to the darkness of it's time. Over years of course, the fare feels lighter and lighter, but never less satisfying, nor it's fun diluted. That's the thing that can always be respected about a good Disney film, there is a timelessness to most of their works, so that the efforts may be enjoyed by generation after generation. There is also something majestic about hand-drawn animation. The film landscape these days is cluttered and overcrowded by uncaring CG films, with the exception of most PIXAR films. It seems that, most films makers, or studios, believe if you make something colorful enough, and cater to the smallest audience (age-wise at least), you have a sure fire hit on your hands. More and more though, the money a film rakes in, isn't a judgment based on the quality of the film itself. With bloated ticket prices, helped marginally by Disney 3d, Real D 3d and IMAX 3d, the amount event the crappiest movie can attain is staggering.
       This being Disney-lite, the film clocks in just over an hour an 10 minutes, to qualify as a "feature film". In truth, this doesn't hurt the proceedings, as thing are moved at a brisk pace, without much of a let up, save for a few emotional moments, and the occasional song. Here is another of the reasons I prefer the middle efforts by Disney.......they weren't tied down to the ideas of what makes "a Disney film". There doesn't have to be a song ever 15 minutes, there doesn't have to be a comedy relief side-kick, who can easily be mass produced as a plush doll for kids. Actually, I'd be quite please if I had a child who demanded a Fidget plush. It is now a major point for me to find one. Again there is also Vincent Price as Ratigan, eating the most scenery in any animated film, ever, making every moment count. The animation sparkles, even in it's lesser state, as well as the tone of the film. The fog is thick and permeates every frame, as if from some long lost Hammer Horror entry. The story, while aimed at kids, is still thrilling, with an entertaining mystery, and grand set pieces worthy of Sherlock Holmes himself.
*** 1/2 out of *****