There isn’t a whole lot I don’t like about this film. I’m not too fond of how most of it takes place at night, but it’s certainly not as dark as The Rescuers. Most of that has to do with the animation, which is actually not all that bad. There are a few segments I thought fell short, but then there are others I felt were really strong. The scene in the clock tower in particular was very well done. It made great use of CGI, and was a very captivating final battle between Basil and Ratigan. The segment where Basil and Dawson are caught in the death trap is also a fantastic segment, and probably one of my favorites from the film. It’s perfectly used to showcase Basil’s thinking process, something not done very well through most of the film. We know he’s very intelligent, but this scene actually shows it to us.
I would have liked more music to be included, but it’s not too big of a complaint. As you can tell by my previous write-up for Pocahontas, a great soundtrack really helps me enjoy the film as a whole. The Great Mouse Detective has “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind,” but is otherwise lacking in good songs. The song playing when Basil and Dawson are disguised in the bar in particular is pointless in the overall scheme of the film. Nothing is really accomplished in the scene at all, and the song is entirely forgettable. The Great Mouse Detective needed fewer scenes like that and more with Basil being awesome and/or better songs.
Thankfully this film was fairly successful at the box office. Its success convinced Disney to continue driving its animation staff and to continue seeking out new talent. This recipe ultimately culminated in the beginning of the Disney Renaissance with the release of The Little Mermaid. Historical significance aside, The Great Mouse Detective stands up quite well on its own. It has plenty of great characters, good development, and a clear arc.
Next Up: A classic era princess falls!
It had better ****ing be Snow White.
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From: Regaro_Ukiera |
MWC is god-tier