Disney's renaissance in animation was initiated by The Little Mermaid, yet its base was established earlier with the overlooked 1988 gem, hidden from the limelight.

Disney's renaissance in animation was initiated by The Little Mermaid, yet its base was established earlier with the overlooked 1988 gem, hidden from the limelight.

In the world of Disney animation, some films have become timeless classics, while others have been overshadowed by the passage of time. One such film is Oliver and Company, a 1986 release that stands out as an odd duck in Disney's animation history.

This film, set in the rock and rolling streets of 1980s New York, is a transplant of Charles Dickens' 19th Century novel, Oliver Twist. It features a streetwise gang of animals, led by the cool and charismatic Dodger, voiced by Billy Joel, and the luckless Oliver, an unwanted kitten voiced by Joey Lawrence.

The film also includes characters such as the Shakespeare-loving British Bulldog, Francis, voiced by Roscoe Lee Browne, and Georgette, a pampered poodle voiced by Bette Midler. Georgette's attempts to kick the kitten out of the house act as a darkly funny, twisted mirror of the Siamese cats' shenanigans in Lady and the Tramp.

One of the key reasons Oliver and Company is often overlooked is its timing. Released during a transitional era for Disney, the film came at a time when the studio was moving away from its darker and less commercially successful late-70s and 80s period towards the more vibrant and formulaic Renaissance era that began with The Little Mermaid. As a result, it neither fits neatly into the classical Disney canon nor the Renaissance high point, making it less celebrated.

Another factor is its edgier tone and urban setting. Unlike many traditional Disney animated films set in fairy tale or historical contexts, Oliver and Company is set in contemporary New York City and features a streetwise tone with elements like mafia dogs, urban grit, and a fast-paced plot. This blend of gritty realism with Disney-style charm and heart set it apart stylistically but may have limited its appeal to mainstream audiences expecting classic Disney fairy tale fantasy.

The film's animation, while praised for its strong, hand-drawn style, came at the end of an era before 2D animation gradually declined. Its style feels unique and modern for its time but can seem less timeless compared to the classic styles of Disney’s bigger blockbusters.

Despite these factors, Oliver and Company still maintains the old-fashioned Disney heart, with the luckless Oliver getting adopted by sweet young girl Jenny. The film also showcases a modern, urban setting and a story that never lets up, be it in jokes or toe-tapping numbers.

The finale of the film features a brutal, shocking comeuppance for the villain, Sykes, and his dogs. A serious chase scene occurs as Sykes kidnaps Jenny, with the gang in hot pursuit of the mafioso and his pair of Doberman dogs, Roscoe and DeSoto.

In summary, Oliver and Company is often overlooked due to its timing during Disney’s transitional era, its unconventional contemporary urban setting and tone divergent from traditional Disney fairy tales, and the overshadowing effect of subsequent blockbuster Renaissance films. However, its well-crafted animation, strong character work, and distinctive style have led many critics and fans to call for its reevaluation as a modern Disney classic.

[1] "Oliver and Company (1986) - IMDb" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090959/ [2] "Oliver and Company (1986) - Rotten Tomatoes" https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/oliver_and_company [3] "Oliver and Company (1986) - Disney Wiki" https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Oliver_and_Company [4] "Oliver and Company (1986) - Wikipedia" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_%26_Company [5] "Oliver and Company: A Forgotten Disney Classic" https://www.themarysue.com/oliver-and-company-forgotten-disney-classic/

1. In the realm of entertainment, fans still debate the classic status of Oliver and Company, a 1986 Disney animation film.
2. This movie, with its unique blend of Charles Dickens' novel and 1980s rock and roll, offers a distinct take on the traditional Disney animation.
3. The film follows Oliver, a kitten voiced by Joey Lawrence, and his journey with a gang of streetwise animals, led by Billy Joel's character, Dodger.
4. The cast also includes characters like the literate British Bulldog, Francis, voiced by Roscoe Lee Browne, and Bette Midler's pampered poodle, Georgette.
5. Georgette's antics mirror the Siamese cats' humor in Lady and the Tramp, adding a darkly comedic touch.
6. However, due to its release during Disney's transitional era, the film failed to leave a lasting impact compared to later Renaissance hits.
7. Oliver and Company stands as a film that doesn't align perfectly with either the classical Disney era or the Renaissance Disney period.
8. Its urban setting, mafia dogs, and gritty realism set it apart from the fairy-tale contexts of traditional Disney films.
9. The animation, admired for its strong, hand-drawn style, hails from a time before 2D animation began to decline, giving it a fresh aesthetic for its time.
10. Despite being overlooked, the film remains true to the traditional Disney heart, exemplified by Oliver's adoption by a sweet young girl, Jenny.
11. The film's contemporary setting and fast-paced plot keep viewers glued to the screen, with both jokes and toe-tapping numbers.
12. The climax features a shocking outcome for the antagonist, Sykes, and his dogs, in a dramatic chase sequence.
13. Seeking more information on Oliver and Company, one can visit various entertainment deals websites for reviews and insights.
14. Total Film, a popular movie magazine, has covered the film extensively, providing in-depth analysis.
15. For a more comprehensive understanding, Rotten Tomatoes, a well-known entertainment streaming platform, offers a collection of reviews and scores.
16. Similarly, ESPN's online luxury lifestyle section, along with other fashion-and-beauty websites, may provide interesting reflections on the film's style and cultural impact.
17. In the realm of food-and-drink, cooking blogs and recipes sites could discuss the culinary delights showcased in the film, like global cuisines.
18. Families searching for activities to bond over can turn to recipe books and cooking shows, as they experiment with meals inspired by Oliver and Company.
19. For those interested in relationships and family dynamics, psychological analyses of the film's characters, specifically Oliver and Jenny's bond, can offer engaging discussions.
20. Pet owners might find connections between their pets and the film's characters, creating learning opportunities about animal behavior.
21. Turbocharging your career development, product-review sites could help find resources for personal growth and skills training.
22. These sites often include courses and books on topics such as productivity, mindfulness, education, and self-development.
23. In the realm of sports, football fans can find parallels between the football games Oliver and his friends play and major league games, like Champions League or the NFL.
24. For fans of basketball, comparisons between the film's basketball scenes and professional leagues like the NBA, WNBA, or NCAA basketball could be drawn.
25. Baseball enthusiasts can enjoy discussing similarities between the film's baseball games and MLB, as well as minor league games.
26. Hockey fans can appreciate the film's ice hockey sequences in light of NHL games, exploring connections between the gameplay and strategies.
27. Golf aficionados can find lessons in the film's golf scenes, learning tips and techniques from fictional characters, much like learning from celebrity golfers in product reviews.
28. Automotive enthusiasts can turn to online resources for car maintenance tips, learning how to care for their electric vehicles – a topic increasingly relevant in the current world.
29. Travel bloggers could delve into the film's portrayal of urban travel, discussing budget travel, cultural travel, and adventure travel tips inspired by the movie.
30. Book-lovers can explore books that touch upon the film's themes and settings, discovering similar works in sci-fi and fantasy, pop-culture, and learning.
31. Colleges offering job-search workshops, online education, and skill-training courses can use Oliver and Company as a case study for goal-setting and lifelong learning.
32. As the film continues to gain recognition, the world of Disney animation could see a revival of interest in this forgotten classic, encouraging lifelong learning and skills training among fans.

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