The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Number Rolled: 9

Movie Name/Year: The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Genre: Children & Family

Length: 74 minutes

Rating: G

Director: Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson, Dave Michener, John Musker

Writer: Pete Young, Vance Gerry, Steve Hulett, Ron Clements, John Musker, Bruce M. Morris, Matthew O’Callaghan, Burny Mattinson, Dave Michener, Melvin Shaw, Eve Titus, Paul Galdone

Actors: Vincent Price, Barrie Ingham, Val Bettin, Susanne Pollatschek, Candy Candido, Diana Chesney, Eve Brenner, Alan Young, Basil Rathbone, Laurie Main, Shani Wallis, Ellen Fitzhugh, Walker Edmiston, Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo, Melissa Manchester, Frank Welker

This tribute to Sherlock Holmes is Disney-fied and adorable. Of course, that’s being a little redundant since Disney is pretty much synonymous with adorable.

Basil, the hero of this story, is a mouse that lives in Sherlock’s home. Having picked up all the famous detectives mannerisms, he has become a renowned detective in the world of mice. Dr. Dawson, the new mouse in town, finds a stray girl and brings her over to Basil when the girl reveals her father was kidnapped. It isn’t long before Basil and gang are hot on the trail of the devious, deadly, and self hating, Professor Ratigan.

Old Disney movies are something I am always in the mood to watch and, likely, always going to love. There’s something about the simple animation, the semi-relevant songs and adorable creatures that steals my heart every time. Not to mention, Disney is the very best at making creepy, insane villains that are still somehow appropriate for kids.

When Disney was more reliably coming out with original cartoon creations, their stuff was amazing. Within five minutes of watching any of those films the audience could tell three things; the story was in depth enough for kids and adults to watch together (without either group getting bored), the movie was going to be completely enthralling and, on top of that, one could even tell that the movie about to begin was going to someday be a classic. Old Disney movies stayed with us as we grew up; Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, etc. This movie is one of the lesser known, but no less memorable and spectacular.

I don’t believe this movie should be rated G. It should definitely be closer to PG – with insinuated death/murder and a nod to burlesque shows. But that was really my only problem with the film. Not that I minded the morbid aspect, but if a movie is going to be rated G, I expect the content to fit the label, especially when it’s directed toward children.

Overall Opinion – 4.5/5

P.S. – This movie is based off the book titled, “Basil of Baker Street” by Eve Titus.