Disney’s new high definition transfer really breathes new life into it. The visuals are so impressive that those familiar with the film will pick up on things they never realized were there before; details and backgrounds literally pop out at you.
Inspired by the Charles Dickens classic Oliver Twist, Oliver & Company first hit American theaters in November of 1988; Oliver Twist had been adapted for the screen several times before, but Walt Disney Pictures put their own unique twist on the story. Writers Jim Cox, Tim Disney, and James Mangold moved the story out of Victorian London and set it in the heart of eighties New York City. As further evidence that this was indeed the eighties, The Oliver & Company soundtrack is full of songs from big stars of the day: Huey Lewis, Billy Joel, Ruth Pointer (of the Pointer Sisters) and Bette Midler
Oliver & Company did okay at the box office, earning $53.2 million domestically during its initial run. However, audience and critical reaction to the film was decidedly mixed. By the mid-to-late eighties, many of the folks referred to as the “Original Nine Old Men” had migrated away from the studio and the new generation of great Disney animators wouldn’t come to the fore until 1989’s The Little Mermaid. As a result, Oliver & Company sort of fell through the cracks and has never gotten the respect it deserves.
It’s true; the animation in this one seems a bit crude and amateurish. However, it couldn’t have been easy to convey the squalor of Dickens’ novel to gritty New York City. While the animation, characters, story and music were not as good as several Disney Pictures that came before it and can’t touch The Little Mermaid that would hit theaters in 1989, Oliver & Company is still above average. The problem for Disney was, after years of excellence, “above average” wasn’t good enough.
Singer Billy Joel voices Dodger, a carefree, cocky mongrel who claims to have a lot of street smarts. Dodger is the leader of a thriving stealing operation. The rest of the “gang” includes: a Chihuahua named Tito (Cheech Marin), an well mannered bulldog (Roscoe Lee Brown), and a dumb Great Dane named Einstein (Richard Mulligan), with Bette Midler voicing a poodle and Joey Lawrence giving voice to the title character, Oliver. In this film, Oliver is an orange kitten, abandon in a box and left to fend for himself on the streets of New York City. Oliver is struggling, until Dodger comes along and helps him out. Eventually, Fagin welcomes Oliver to the gang. However, during one of the gang’s capers, Oliver gets separated from them. Oliver is rescued by Jenny Foxworth (Natalie Gregory), who takes him home and treats him as a pet. Jenny is a girl of privilege and wealth, and so it’s not long before Dodger and the gang “rescue” her and Fagin gets involved in a plan to rob that rich family blind.
Oliver & Company is really quite an entertaining film. Director George Scribner does a good job at moving things along, so boredom never sets in. However, he doesn’t move things so fast that there’s no time for some good old fashion Disney emotion. As a viewer, you feel for Oliver and you want him to find a safe and happy home. Scribner seems to have a good feel for how to make the story, characters and music blend together. While I wouldn’t call Oliver & Company a bonafide classic, this 25th Anniversary Edition still deserves a place in any Disney fans Blu-ray collection.
Disney clearly gave Oliver & Company a thorough makeover. Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the animation and artwork look simply stunning. There’s the slightest hint of banding early on, but that is a minor issue.
The audio is presented via an English DTS-HD MA 5.1 track that spreads across the soundfield remarkably well. The pop soundtrack really comes to life with great clarity. Occasionally the dialogue seems a bit contained to the center speaker, but it doesn’t affect overall enjoyment of the film.
Additional audio options are in French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, with subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.
The following special features are available:
- The Making of Oliver and Company (SD, 5:31) A brief look at the film’s 30-month production, with sound bites from Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Huey Lewis, and director George Scribner along with comments from Roy Disney and animator Glen Keane on the use of computers to aid in background animation.
- Disney’s Animated Animals (SD, 1:29) A look at the memorable animal characters who have appeared in Disney’s (then) twenty-seven animated features.
- Lend a Paw (SD, 8:08): The 1941 Oscar-winning short featuring Mickey and Pluto.
- Puss Café (SD, 7:10) the 1950 Pluto cartoon.
- Trailers and Spot Ads (SD) A TV spot ad (0:32), the theatrical trailer (1:33), and the 1996 reissue trailer (1:40).
- Sing Along With the Film: Turns on the subtitles only for the song portions of the movie.
- DVD Copy.
