Oliver and Company Discussion

[Prince Eric]

I haven't seen Oliver & Company ages, but I remember thoroughly enjoying it. The girl looked an awful like Penny from The Rescuers. Here's hoping a 20th Anniversary edition is in the works for 2008!

[Blissey02]

Oliver & Company holds a special place in my heart. Back in '96, during the rerelease, I took a female classmate to see it. It could be considered a date.

I don't know where Crystal Hamilton is these days, but wherever she is, may Blissey's luck be with her.

[Kenai]

I'm pretty sure, as far back as I can remember, that this movie was one of my first Disney movies ever.

But I was also sad to see that, like most of the Disney movies of the 80's, O&C didn't get as much exposure and was in a way, still generally ignored by the Disney marketing machine (maybe not back then, but now yes). I think this movie was very clever. Sure by today's standards it would be considered simple, but you can't resist it's charms for those who've seen it.

I love the characters myself, well, not all, but the ones I don't care for are at least likeable. And the villain detestable. And don't get me started on the excellent voice acting, Billy Joel, Cheech Marin (who gives Tito his charm and wit) and Bette Midler among others, who give great perfomances. Dodger is my favorite.

I think the overall animation style for O&C is what I consider to be the 'true' Disney style. In the same veins as 101 Dalmatians, Aristocats and The Great Mouse Detective in that sense. (this style also seemed to be found even in DA shows like Gummi Bears, Talespin, Darkwing Duck and Bonkers). The first use of computers was referenced here in the cars and the subway chase scene.

Overall, I'm glad Disney re-released it a couple of years ago as a Special Edition DVD (with surprisingly good extras for an 80's Disney movie). I liked this movie and am glad it's part of Disney's animated canon.

Your thoughts?

[Wonderlicious]

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... 52&start=0

That is a similar topic to do with Oliver and Company, so hopefully somebody will merge this to reduce bandwith.

Anyway, it had been a while since I had seen Oliver when I started that discussion, but now I have, I can give a full opinion on it. It's a fun movie, and to an extent underrated, but it's not exactly a classic. Sykes was a horrible villain and some bits were a bit odd for my tastes (it varied between very violent and very cute within the same movie), but the songs were great and Tito and Georgette were a hoot. Recommended.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Well out of the 41 animated classics I HAVE SEEN, this is my third least favorite just behind of Black Cauldron and The Hunchback. I don't know why but I just find it boring. The songs were bad and there was nothing really spectacular or original. I mean talking dogs and cats, Disney had already did 3 movies about that already this just felt like overkill. I even liked The Aristocats better.

[Pasta67]

I love Hunchback, but that's not what this thread is about. I really like Oliver & Company. Every day my like for it increases and if they release a 2-disc for it, I'm pretty sure i'd buy it now. My favorite song is "Why Should I Worry". It's just good. I thought Tito was hilarious and the characters were all momorable. Very good movie.

The only thing I didn't like was how they were able to just get onto and balance on that bridge at the climax. That was just stretching it a little to me.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

I love Hunchback, but that's not what this thread is about.

I agree. If I explained why I didn't like Huchback, this would be the third time on UD to do so!

[deathie mouse]

I love Hunchback, but that's not what this thread is about.

I agree. If I explained why I didn't like Huchback, this would be the third time on UD to do so!

So Timón, why post this here then at all?

Should i delete it?


Anyway , Kenai's thread megamerged to the other two 1-page threads, to make one master 3-page thread

As acompaniement to da Oliverancia there's this other sligthly different angled <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... 88">Anyone remembered seeing Oliver and Company in a theater?</a> thread.




That could be merged too at any moment!

[Teede]

I hope Oliver And Company 2 should be out any minute.

[Pasta67]

I hope Oliver And Company 2 should be out any minute.

Don't you worry. It will be.

[katiekat]

anyone remember the fast food (mcDonalds i think) oliver & co. finger puppets?

AH! I have a couple of those... I've got Oliver, Dodger, and Georgette!

Anyways, I like Oliver and Company. I have the video... I don't watch it often, but the music is great. I'm a cat person, so I really like this one... it's cute. Not the best Disney movie, but sweet nonetheless.

[anger is pointless]

id like to know why it took so long to come to video too

i called and called beuna vista and ask them to release it several times and when they finally did release it in theatures i was bouncing off the walls cause i was so happy

[Sunset Girl]

Well, I believe that when Oliver & Co. was released, Disney had not yet developed the pattern of releasing a VHS of the film by the next year, since that didn't seem to happen until The Little Mermaid.

Heh, and I remember being very afraid that The Little Mermaid was going to be treated like Oliver and Company with no following home video release. Whew!

Oliver & Co. was actually one of the few Disney films that I never got to see when I was younger since I wasn't able to catch the 1988 theatrical release and because it wasn't immediately released to home video the first time around.

I did have the soundtrack on cassette, though. My mom loved it just as much as I did, especially the Huey Louis song. One of our first exposures to Howard Ashman! We also loved the fact that Bily Joel was on there. I grew up on his music and I'm still a big fan of his. We brought that tape with us to listen to on our many trips to Springfield.

I also had the "Fun With Music" sing-along video, which was watched endlessly.

Oh, and not only did I have the finger puppets, I also had the Christmas ornaments!

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it when it was rereleased in 1996, either. The last thing I had time for was running off to see "some dumb kids' movie."

It was kind of a weird experience when the VHS finally came out as the songs made it really hard to watch. I upgraded it to DVD when I got the chance but I've only watched it a handful of times. I still get a lump in my throat.

Which I guess just goes to show how powerful the memories you have attached to something can be.

[Captain EO]

I didn't realize until like last year this was a Disney movie! I saw it in theaters and everything, but I guess it has more of a Don Bluth (All Dogs Go to Heaven) feel rather than Disney. I never really liked it anyway...

[StickDan]

this was my favorite disney movie for a long time

[Kenai]

this was my favorite disney movie for a long time

Mine too! ^^

Off Topic. That reminds me, whatever became of Don Bluth? Ddi he fall into a rut or something?

[Isidour]

I hope Oliver And Company 2 should be out any minute.

But you´re missing GMD II!
don´t forget that sequel

[Nala]

this was my favorite disney movie for a long time

Mine too! ^^

Off Topic. That reminds me, whatever became of Don Bluth? Ddi he fall into a rut or something?

Here's a whole list of what Don Bluth had done. Didn't know he was involved with Pete's Dragon and Xanadu.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0089940/

[ichabod]

Didn't know he was involved with Pete's Dragon and Xanadu.

I knew that, but I found it more surprising thta he worked on Slepping Beauty!

[purplebluelove99]

I enjoy anything with animals in it. I collect animal movies. I also like Cheech. And the soundtrack is pretty good. I didn't like it that much when I first seen it on video about 6 or 7 years ago. But I recently bought a copy and I absoultely loved it.