Film Review #18 The Rescuers

The Disney Animation team was getting old.  That is the
only reason as to why the film is kind of, boring.  The older animators who created Cinderella and The Jungle Book were nearing retirement at this point.  The Rescuers was one of the groups last films they would ever make, and it's pretty safe to say that this one is in the same vein as The Aristocats and The Sword in the Stone.  But at the same time, it does have a certain something about it that makes it, watchable.

Plot: A little girl named Penny is kidnapped from the orphanage by a greedy hag named Madam Medusa and her bumbling sidekick, Mr. Snoops.  The girl is able to write a letter calling for help, which makes it's way to New York, where a group of mice called the Rescue Aid Society finds it and sends out two mice to save them, Miss Bianca and Bernard.

Medusa kidnapped Penny in order to have her obtain a very valuable diamond from a deadly cave they can't fit in to.  Bernard and Bianca arrive in the bayou and meet up with some of the swamp critters that live nearby and try to help Penny out whatever way they can and find her a home to live in.

What's Bad?: After the first half hour, which can either grip you or bore you, the rest of the movie moves at a very slow pace.  The characters aren't very interesting.  The songs are at the very most, passable.  The animation is gritty and raw.  Luckily, this would be the last Disney film to adhere to this low production value.

What's Good?: I can't quite put my finger on what makes this film work.  There is a reason, but it is like a feeling about the movie that makes one glad they saw the film to begin with.  Maybe it's the theme, or maybe it's childhood nostalgia, but I am not entirely sure.

Overall: In the same lines as The Aristocats, it is watchable for kids and for adults who grew up with it.  On it's own, the film is pretty weak, but decent.  Luckily, Disney had a great deal of magic brewing in their company, and we didn't even know it (neither did they!)  A sequel was planned...but more on that later.

Report Card:

Hero:                           C+
Heroine:                      B-
Villain:                        B-
Side Characters:        C-
Songs:                         B-
Musical Score:           C-
Animation:                 C
Special Effects:          C-
Themes:                     B
Story:                         B-

Final Grade:            C+