Toon Zone Talkback - "Oliver and Company" 20th Anniversary DVD Is Better as History Than as Cinema

[Ed Liu]

This is the talkback thread for "Oliver and Company" 20th Anniversary DVD Is Better as History Than as Cinema (http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=28321).

http://news.toonzone.net/images/2009-02/OliverAndCo/splash-olivernco.jpg

I wish I liked the movie more, but I do think it has a lot of value as a historical document.

Then again, I think more or less the same thing about The Little Mermaid (http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=12761), although I think that one was a lot more successful as a movie.

[ensatsu-ken]

Overall, I found this to be a pretty good review. While I haven't watched the movie for a while, I still remember certain parts of it as if I saw them yesterday. Overall, it was an entertaining movie, but not really a classic, IMO.

I pretty much agree with most of the review, except for this bit:


The plot is certainly more serviceable than films like The Fox and the Hound

I don't care what anyone else says, but I personally find the Fox and the Hound to be a rather underrated Disney movie. Sure, for most people here it would probably be way too slow-paced and boring, but ever since I was a child, I have always found this to be a great tale of two child-hood friends growing up, and growing apart. And, sure, it really has very little in common with the novel which its supposedly based off of, but, to be fair, Disney has "based" quite a few of their other films off of other stories, which they very loosely follow, including Oliver & Company, which was even stated in the review itself. ;)

Getting back on topic, though, while I'm not so sure that I would call Oliver & Company better as history than as cinema, I will say that it was a good movie for its time, and while it may not have aged quite so well, its still an, overall, nicely put together animated film, even if it can't stand up against any of Disney's classic animated movies. That's just my opinion, though.

[Peter Paltridge]

No review can stop me from buying it, but I'm let down by the extras being virtually the same. I might as well find the previous release for half the price. When are we getting a commentary? Maybe never....

The only real bad part of Oliver is Jenny's excruciating solo.

[Baltofan]

Wish it was a better DVD.

[NewcomerDC]

Wish it was a better DVD.
There's still the Golden Collection version at Best Buy if this new version isn't as good as you thought it would be.

[Dr.Pepper]

I haven't seen this movie in years. I love the song "Why Should I Worry"

[Light Lucario]

I don't care what anyone else says, but I personally find the Fox and the Hound to be a rather underrated Disney movie. Sure, for most people here it would probably be way too slow-paced and boring, but ever since I was a child, I have always found this to be a great tale of two child-hood friends growing up, and growing apart. And, sure, it really has very little in common with the novel which its supposedly based off of, but, to be fair, Disney has "based" quite a few of their other films off of other stories, which they very loosely follow, including Oliver & Company, which was even stated in the review itself. ;)

I actually never felt that it was slow-paced or boring. I still cry whenever I see the ending. I always thought that it was one of Disney's best classic films for it's storytelling and for it's emotional appeal for me. I actually didn't know that it was based on a novel. Still, I agree with you that Fox and the Hound is a good movie.

Back to the topic at hand, I thought that the review was well done. The basic feel I got for it was that the movie worked well in its own time, but doesn't stand up as well as other Disney classic, which I agree with. I personally see Oliver and Company as one of my favorite Disney film for the background artwork and the enjoyable plot. I do agree with how a lot happens too fast within the movie, at least at different part of it.

Still, "Why Should I worry" and "Once Upon a Time in New York City," are my favorite songs in this movie. It was also interesting to learn that they actually did use CGI for some of the animation in the film.

Good review and I hope that I'll enjoy the movie when I eventually get it myself.

[Peter Paltridge]

There's still the Golden Collection version at Best Buy if this new version isn't as good as you thought it would be.
I was out today checking around. It's not at Best Buy, or Costco, or any of the places it previously was. It IS online, but at the same price the new one is, so there's no point.

[Ed Liu]

The Gold Edition DVD is long, long out of print. I haven't seen it so I can't make any kind of sensible judgment, but they supposedly did clean up the movie a bit for this release, so image quality is probably better on the newer edition. Considering how relatively bad looking this is (compared to something like the Little Mermaid Platinum Edition release), I think trying to get the Gold Edition DVD is a losing proposition.

EDIT: I take it back. Apparently, the original DVD is still in print and seems to be staying in circulation, even with this new 20th anniversary edition. Weird.

[Brandon Pierce]

what are the bonus features on this DVD?

[Monterey Jack]

Good review, but there's one piece of false trivia...O&C was not the first Disney animated film to feature CGI, that would be the Big Ben climax of The Great Mouse Detective two years earlier.

[Michael24]

I'm looking forward to seeing this again. Haven't seen it in ages, though I do remember seeing it in the theater when it came out.


Still, "Why Should I worry" and "Once Upon a Time in New York City," are my favorite songs in this movie.

Agreed. I'm a big fan of Huey Lewis (and the News), so it's cool hearing him sing a song for a Disney film, and "Why Should I Worry" is a catchy little number that I have on my iPod. :D

[adoptedBatpuppy]

Are we getting a Platinum Edition of this DVD in a few years? Disney always does this to their movies and animated films.

[Ed Liu]

Good review, but there's one piece of false trivia...O&C was not the first Disney animated film to feature CGI, that would be the Big Ben climax of The Great Mouse Detective two years earlier.

Why I don't know what you're talking about. The review doesn't say it's the FIRST CGI movie, just that it's the first one that used it on a large scale. Just. Like. It Always. Did.

...

These are not the droids you're looking for.

:o

Thanks for the correction -- the review has been corrected. They raise The Great Mouse Detective a few times in the bonus materials, so I have no idea how it came out the way it did.

[Neo Yi]

The only real bad part of Oliver is Jenny's excruciating solo.

But at least it's balanced with Billy Joel's awesome, awesome voice ("Why Should I Worry" is one of the catchiest Disney tunes I've heard). Didn't this film launch his musical career?

[Wonderwall]

But at least it's balanced with Billy Joel's awesome, awesome voice ("Why Should I Worry" is one of the catchiest Disney tunes I've heard). Didn't this film launch his musical career?

Billy had been famous since the 70s I believe so no this did not launch his music career.

[Michael24]

I once read Billy Joel took the part because he'd loved Disney movies as a kid and thought it'd be fun to participate in one. Always wondered how the offer came his way, though. Got the DVD this afternoon and hopefully I can check it out over the weekend. :)

[judyindisguise]

The only part of the movie I like is when the poodle sings "Perfect's Not Easy". Bette Midler rocks, and the song's a hoot. Otherwise I think the film's pretty lackluster.

[BrendaBat]

I've always loved Oliver and Company. The "Once Upon a Time in New York City" opening is a real tear-jerker. And "Why Should I Worry" kicks all kinds of ass! :D

That said, the review was really well done. I probably should get that DVD. My Oliver VHS is starting to wear out. :sweat:

[Radical Raven]

Why I don't know what you're talking about. The review doesn't say it's the FIRST CGI movie, just that it's the first one that used it on a large scale. Just. Like. It Always. Did.

...

These are not the droids you're looking for.

:o

Thanks for the correction -- the review has been corrected. They raise The Great Mouse Detective a few times in the bonus materials, so I have no idea how it came out the way it did.

You keep that response on your computer for these situations, don't you;)

Nice review, the only bit I'd argue about is the F&TH part.

[ahem]

What makes the film is the phenomenal soundtrack and the 80s movie New York setting, which feels like the same world as the GHOSTBUSTERS movies or OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE.

FWIW, WHY SHOULD I WORRY must have been one of the most expensive Disney songs ever. Not only did Billy Joel sing it but it was written by disco king Dan (RELIGHT MY FIRE) Hartman ad overseen by superproducer Phil Ramone. $$$ indeed!