Just because Walt Disney created contemporary and traditional classics of animation doesn't mean the studio is out of ideas--not by a long shot. The Great Mouse Detective is richly animated and offers a clever tale. It may not be as easily recognized a title as Aladdin or The Little Mermaid, but all three share the same director, Ron Clements. Originally released theatrically in 1986, the mystery borrows easily from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and is based on Eve Titus's book Basil of Baker Street.

When a brilliant toymaker is kidnapped by a creepy peg-legged bat, his daughter, Olivia, enlists the aid of the legendary Basil. Basil, Olivia, and Basil's assistant, Dr. Dawson, are part of an intricate city system of Victorian-era London mice. Basil quickly realizes his archenemy, Professor Ratigan (a rat who wants to be a mouse), is behind the abduction. Ratigan (voiced by Vincent Price) fiendishly aspires to take over London rodents--and will stop at nothing to achieve his greatest desire. The unlikely trio of good guys become heroes, of course. The engaging story line is a perfect introduction to Doyle's work and mysteries in general. Look for a very cleverly executed voice-cameo by Basil Rathbone (as Sherlock Holmes, natch). Alan Young (Mr. Ed) also provides a voice. Ages 4 and up. --N.F. Mendoza

Customer Rating:
Summary: great
Comment: I enjoyed this very much as a child as it was dark and exciting. Now that I am older I still enjoy it, though not as much (i remember the plot way too well, saw it a billion times). I think kids around 10 will enjoy this a lot.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A Bar Scene I Will Never Forget
Comment: Smoking, drinking, stripping and even gun violence. These are things you wouldn't expect from a Disney film. I saw the film when I was about 5 years old and remember thinking about how much fun it would be to be in the midst of a bar fight like the one in this movie. I will never forget how shocked I was to see the burlesque dancer take off her seemingly modest attire to reveal an hour glass half-dressed figure with a garter and blue fishnets. The reaction from the crowd, the sexual tension she created with her stripping- I wanted to be there!

Here's a quote from the song Let Me Be Good To You
"Hey fellas- i'll take off all my clothes. Hey fellas- there's nothing I won't do just for you!"

But apart from the bar scene, there were multiple depictions of drunkeness and more smoking than i've seen in any movie.

Regardless. . .it is an absolute CLASSIC and the kids will love how edgy and timeless it is.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Keeper
Comment: My 17 year old son loved this movie so much when he was younger that he asked that we get on DVD.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: classic Disney
Comment: It is classic Disney cartoon. It is just fun to watch over and over. It also marks the beginning of the end of hand drawn animation. It was the first relase of Disney to use computer animation (only one scene).

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Slightly Dated but Still Enjoyable
Comment: I can see why some reviewers thought this film was slightly boring. Clearly the production techniques weren't up to par with the likes of "The Lion King" and "Aladin". It is interesting to note how Disney progressed from "Mouse Detective" to "The Little Mermaid" in four short years. Nevertheless, I find the movie charming, and thought the plot was well planned out, and the characters well developed. True, you don't have the stunning camera effects and music score that was to come with later Disney features, but this is animation at its finest at the fundamental level. Most traditional Disney animation is a work of art, and for those who study the craft, this movie is no exception.

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