Oliver & Company- 20th Anniversary Edition

[DisneyJedi]

Back to the subject of Oliver & Company:

I'm going to standby on the decision as to whether or not to buy any version of the DVD until UD's review for it comes in...since chances are high there's going to be absolutely no difference between the 20th Anniv Edition and the "Special" Edition from a few years back. The only true deciding factor for me now is if the picture/sounds quality is improvable. If not then really I have to do is pick the edition that is selling the cheapest because it would be a waste of my money to get a more expensive copy.

Still I wonder if I should just wait another 5 years or whenever again in the case of this movie. I'm still really unnerved by the lack of new material and the fact that they're giving this new edition a "Disney DTV sequel" style upgrade. It's more like the new Special Editions of films like "Jungle Book 2" or "Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas" where all you're really getting new is a new game.

"Oliver & Company" is NOT a direct-to-video sequel...it is an official film in the Walt Disney Feature Animation Canon. And despite what some posts have said, "Oliver & Company" DID make a good amount of money when it was first released in 1988. And while you may not think that $53 Million is considered a flop today, back in the late 1980s it was considered a good amount that convinced Disney to move forward with it's WDFA Rennaissance and release a new animated feature film every year. I'm probably one of the few people in existence who believes that Oliver & Company should've been credited as the gate opener to the Disney Rennaissance as opposed to everyone else who thinks the credit should go to the films O&C lies inbetween (usually either "The Great Mouse Detective" and "The Little Mermaid").

I think what caused people to forget about the film was the fact that for some ungodly reason Disney did not released the film on VHS during it's first run. I think if they had a video release the first time around, the film would have a bigger fanbase and more recognition than it has today.

So hopefully you can see why it is considered a travesty, IMO that this film is getting such a shoddy rerelease. Man the economy must be really bad if Disney can't afford to make decent upgrades. I hope they realized that this release may not bode over well for them by having nothing new to add. Though I do agree that Disney's unusual cycle of film releases makes no sense since THoND and Hercules have still yet to get any kind of new release.

With O&C's new release the way it is though, I fear how horrid THoND and Hercules' new releases would be if it were to ever happen!

Hear, hear!

[Elladorine]

I'm probably one of the few people in existence who believes that Oliver & Company should've been credited as the gate opener to the Disney Rennaissance as opposed to everyone else who thinks the credit should go to the films O&C lies inbetween (usually either "The Great Mouse Detective" and "The Little Mermaid").

Eh, some people throw Roger Rabbit in there too.

But yeah, I'll agree that Oliver & Company is a big part of all that.

I think what caused people to forget about the film was the fact that for some ungodly reason Disney did not released the film on VHS during it's first run. I think if they had a video release the first time around, the film would have a bigger fanbase and more recognition than it has today.

Well, The Great Mouse Detective didn't get a home video release either the first time around, but we could argue that it was a different era altogether. Home video releases from Disney were few and far between, or at least weren't readily available to the eyes of a ten year old in the mid/late-1980's.

I got to see The Great Mouse Detective in the theater as a kid. I was already a huge Disney fan and it left quite the impression on me. For whatever reason I wasn't able to see Oliver & Company in the theater, not even for its re-release in 1996. Anyway, back then I was grateful to at least be able to pick up the soundtrack (always was and will always be a Huey Louis and especially a Billy Joel fan) as well as the "Fun with Music" volume of the Sing Along series.

Unfortunately, I feel a bit detached from Oliver, possibly because I missed out on seeing it as a kid. I still love it for what it is, but somewhere in the back of my mind I'm annoyed for having missed out on that nostalgic connection with it, if that makes sense. I really, really wish they had released it on VHS back then.

Once again, I'm also gonna throw Roger Rabbit into the mix. I remember reading in one of my books that the publicity department went into overtime with Roger Rabbit and that maybe Oliver & Co. suffered a bit because of it.

[Neal]

Silver with just the film's title?

Perhaps that's a new look for their releases?

The "BOLT" preview disc from Best Buy was pure silver except for the title.

[nomad2010]

I picked up my copy today since my local Best Buy put about 6 copies on the self a week to early. I was pleasantly surprised to get this title a week early. However, we all know Disney has been lazy on the bonus features lately, and that this title was no different. However, they also got lazy on the disc art as well. The disc for this DVD is simply silver with the title written on it. Very disappointing. However, I'm just glad to FINALLY have this movie in my collection!!

i may be stupid asking this but it wouldn't look that way as to look like a pet tag or something would it? as in one that goes on a collar?

[stewie15]

First the Inserts now this Silver with just the film's title crap. WTF Disney WTF!!!

[Neal]

First the Inserts now this Silver with just the film's title crap. WTF Disney WTF!!!

What'd they do to inserts?

[Goliath]

Still I wonder if I should just wait another 5 years or whenever again in the case of this movie.

I wouldn't wait, if I were you. Films like Oliver & Company will never get the dvd release they deserve. (The same goes for titles like Robin Hood and The Aristocats.) There are only a few titles Disney really puts in all their effort. The rest is doomed (and that's mainly the 1940's package features and everything made between 1967 and 1989).

All your points about Oliver are valid, and I share your opinion, yet the fact *is*, the film got overshadowed by The Little Mermaid. There's money in that film, not so much in Oliver.

[The_Iceflash]

Am I the only one who finds the UD review for O&C to be a bit too harsh? I don't have it on DVD yet and naturally I'm going to go for the new one.

Considering how it is overshadowed by the Little Mermaid, I'm happy I'm at least getting this.

[buffalobill]

Does anyone know why Amazon.com is charging so much for this release? $24.99.

I'm thinking about canceling my order and picking it up at Target for $16.99 or $19.99 max.

Amazon is normally very competitive - this has got me puzzled.

I agree. I checked out Amazon the other day & I nearly had a stroke when I saw what they are charging. Target's price is going to be $19.99 (which means almost $21.50 with tax) Not a lot cheaper but at least you don't have to wait for it.

[MutantEnemy]

The only reason this film doesn't get the recognition it deserves is because of the lack of money made at the box office, not because of The Little Mermaid. If O&C was a big hit for Disney it would be released with much fanfare (a complete restoration,2-Discs,etc.), regardless of what movie came after it. This is why The Black Cauldron, The Aristocats, Treasure Planet, Home on the Range, Robin Hood , etc. get the shaft everytime they get released. You will probably never see a two-disc anything for these movies.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Since I don't have the previous release, I'll be getting this one. It is a shame that Disney doesn't think as highly of it's films that didn't do as well at the box office as some of the others. Of course, we've had this discussion a million times but Disney still doesn't not seem to understand. With the high price at amazon, I'll either be picking this up at Best Buy or Target (I think that they are both $19.99, so about $21.29 where I live).

[toonaspie]

Does anyone have a picture of the disc artwork of either or both editions for comparison purposes?

Does anyone have a picture of the insert from the Special Edition?

I will probably crack under pressure and get the 20th Anniv Edition only because that having Tito at the top of the logo in the SE really makes the SE cover look uuuugly!

I'm just curious!

[Goliath]

The only reason this film doesn't get the recognition it deserves is because of the lack of money made at the box office, not because of The Little Mermaid.

As of 2008, Oliver made a total domestic gross of $74 million at the U.S. box office though it grossed $53.2 million of which came from its original run.[4] Its success prompted Disney's senior vice-president of animation, Peter Schneider, to announce the company's plans to release animated features annually.[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_&_Company

Read that? It was the box-office succes of Oliver that prompted the decision to put out Disney Classics annually (something of which walt Disney dreamed in 1940, but could never achieve himself).

[Simba3]

Does anyone have a picture of the disc artwork of either or both editions for comparison purposes?

Does anyone have a picture of the insert from the Special Edition?

I will probably crack under pressure and get the 20th Anniv Edition only because that having Tito at the top of the logo in the SE really makes the SE cover look uuuugly!

I'm just curious!

I already have the 20th Anniversary. The disc art is non existent. It is a silver disc with the title written in shiny metallic writing. The insert is also non existent - at least, there is not chapter guide or anything. The only insert is the DMR flyer. I only bought this one because I never had the Special Edition. I'm glad to have it in my collection, but if you already have it, you probably don't need to upgrade.

[jediliz]

I thought this was out this past week (the 27th) instead of the 3rd. And it makes me SOOOOO mad that they'll put a dumb DTV movie like SPACE BUDDIES on BLU RAY, but they won't put THIS on BLU RAY.

Not sure when I'll be able to buy it, though, as its not on "sale" anywhere on the 3rd. And no, $19.99 is NOT a sale price. Its the regular price.

[blackcauldron85]

Maybe Disney is taking its time making amazing Blu-ray versions of the DACs?

Maybe?

Possibly?

[goofystitch]

In another topic, buffalobill posted that another review site contradicts UD's review, stating that it is a different transfer of the film on the 20th Anniversary Edition. I purchased it for this reason and compared the intro for both versions. The Special Edition has some interlacing issues when I watched it on my computer. Compared to the 20th Anniversary, those issues have been corrected. However, it does not appear to be a new restoration. All of the colors are the same and the grain is present (which isn't a bad thing, as it retains the 80's feel).

It was $19.99 at Best Buy today and if you bought it with Space Buddies, you got a free plush of Spudnick, a character from the new Buddies film. Also, through Disney Movie Rewards, if you buy both films, you get two Buddies plushes for free, plus shipping and handling. I did not take them up on this offer as I am not a fan of Air Bud sequels, but if any of you were considering buying both, now would be the opportune time if you are interested in freebies.

[toonaspie]

It was $19.99 at Best Buy today

Don't Disney Dvds usually do a sale at $16.99 during their first week of release at Best Buy?

I would go and check it out right now but there's 12 inches of freakin snow outside my house!

[SpringHeelJack]

And no, $19.99 is NOT a sale price. Its the regular price.

Well, as the MSRP is $29.99, technically, yes, $19.99 is a sale price. It may not be the price we want, but it's still a sale price.

[gardener14]

And no, $19.99 is NOT a sale price. Its the regular price.

Well, as the MSRP is $29.99, technically, yes, $19.99 is a sale price. It may not be the price we want, but it's still a sale price.

MSRP is just what it says, manufacturer's suggested retail price. The regular full price at most retail stores is rarely the MSRP. At Best Buy, the regular price is typically $19.99, so $19.99 is not a sale price regardless of what MSRP is. Usually Best Buy discounts new releases during the first week of their availability. They are typically $15-16. I found it notable that this week's circular for Best Buy does not advertise a discounted price.

I just returned from my local Walmart, and I bought Oliver and Company for $14.97. They are offering their usual first week discount. The sign said the regular price will be $19.99.