THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE. Directed by John Musker, Ron Clements, Dave Michener and Burny Mattinson; written by Pete Young and others; produced by Burny Mattinson for Walt Disney Pictures. Animated. Rated G.
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I'm glad to see that the Disney studios are cranking out good animated features again. Bringing back the classics every year or so is commendable. But the list of movies suitable for children of all ages is so skimpy. Adding titles to it is really worthy of praise.
The Great Mouse Detective isn't the best product of the Disney factory. But it is as well made and imaginative as most. The characters' features are lively and amusing. And the backgrounds and settings are given much more than just cursory attention. For today'a kids, raised on Smurfs, Transformers and Bugs Bunny reruns, that's important.
The story of The Great Mouse Detective is a strong point as well. It's based on an intriguing idea. There's this sub-culture of mice and rats, duplicating that of humans. So in late Victorian London, in a mouse hole just below 221 Baker Street, lives Basil. He's the detective of the movie's title and bears more than just a passing resemblance to his neighbor, Sherlock Holmes.
Damsels in distress beat a path to his door, just as to Holmes'. And the movie concerns a young lady whose father, a toymaker, has been kidnapped by evil Professor Ratigan—for no good purpose, you may be sure.
Younger children, who have yet to meet the real Great Detective in their reading and movie-going, will naturally miss the clever references to Sherlock Holmes. (There are even a couple of silhouette shots of the old boy in the window above Basil's door. And guess who does his voice? None other than Basil Rathbone himself, who IS Holmes to most adults who have seen his series of movies from the 1940's.)
If some of the kids (and some of the grown-ups) don't appreciate the similarities between Basil and Holmes, they'll still enjoy the movie. But, unfortunately, they may find Basil's character a little hard to understand, precisely because it's so much like the human detective's. He's moody, egotistical and not particularly polite. In short, he's not always very likeable.
Sherlock Holmes fans will be amused by this miniature version of their hero. But those unfamiliar with his quirks may be put off.
There is enough that is delightful in The Great Mouse Detective, though, to outweigh this little problem. The supporting mouse characters are well-drawn and instantaneously recognizable as good or evil.
And the characters of other species are even more amusing. My son's favorite is the big dog, Toby, who speaks not a word but rescues the heroes more than once. And the cat Ratigan uses to finish off those mice who displease him is a classic of goofy gluttony.
The Great Mouse Detective is a little long for movie-going toddlers, I suppose. But all other ages will enjoy it. Viva Disney! Keep them coming!
July 23, 1986