This movie actually saved Disney. It came after The Black Cauldron (1985), which turned out to be a costly flop for Disney, nearly killing them. Luckily, they were back on track with this one. We wouldn't have gotten the Disney Renaissance without this one. It practically kicked it off!So, it's a Sherlock Holmes spoof with mice. The story works fine enough: Olivia, the daughter of a renouned toy maker, finds her way over to detective Basil of Baker Street, a mouse Sherlock Holmes, who lives in Sherlock's home, Tom & Jerry style. She convinces him to help her find her father, who's been kidnapped to assist Basil's arch enemy Professor Ratigan, in a plan to take over mouse-England. Assisted by Dr. Watson, Basil, unwillingly, takes the case.So, it's Sherlock for kids, with mice instead of humans. While that may sound stupid, it's an enjoyable stupid. Ratigan is probably one of Disney's most fun villains (with one of my favourite Disney villain songs "The World's Greatest Criminal Mind") , and there's a kind of charming running gag with him hating to be call a rat, despite him very clearly being one. And another one where Basil's trusty friend, a dog named Toby, will only obey Olivia. And some comic relief in the form of Ratigan's assistant Fidget. (I swear to GOD that Bartok from Anastasia (1997) is based on him!) He's probably one of Disney's creepiest, AND funniest sidekicks.Over all, mainly for kids, with some adult stuff mixed in (Including a scene at a bar, that DEFINETLY could have been a prelude to Jessica's introduction, in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)), and a fun bad guy, with a not too bad plan.Earns a 5/6 for me. (Based on the roll of a dice.) via /r/movies https://ift.tt/3kTmGRO
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