Writer: Ken Anderson, Larry Clemmons
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Cast: Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, Liz English, Gary Dubin, Dean Clark II
Rating: G
Studio: Walt Disney
Release Date: February 5, 2008
It took me quite a bit of time to figure out what to write in this review. Disney is celebrated around the world. Walt was an animation genius and most of the ideas of Disney are made in gold. Kids love them and parents love them just as much.
That is such a rarity in a world filled with annoying animations and cartoons that parents just do not get. So, when there came a time when I found a Disney movie that I wasn’t in love with and could only tolerate, I didn’t know how to handle that. Furthermore, when there was little reason why I didn’t like it, I didn’t know what reasons to give for my dislike of a perfectly good Disney movie.
After some time I realized that the reason I dislike it is because I love 101 Dalmatians. At first glance, this may seem a bit odd to you as you read this review, so let me explain. I cannot help but feel that The Aristocats are a somewhat cheap knockoff of 101 Dalmatians. The stories are incredibly similar with the animals being taken from home and forced to find their way back. The only real difference is the musical changes and the fact that there aren’t as many cats as there are dogs. However, I realize that children love this movie and with that in mind, my assessment as an adult will not be as harsh as it could be due to the fact that my own perception should not ruin things for kids who will want their parents to buy this for them.
Release Information:
The Aristocats was released by Disney Home Video on February 5, 2008. This is a re-release version that is a collector’s edition and it’s only out for a limited time. The set includes a slew of extras in addition to the full film. Children will love this film especially if they love kittens and cats. The music is cute and the cats are adorable. You can pick this up at most major retail spots, including Amazon where it sells for $17.
The The Aristocats Plot
The Aristocats is the 20th film in the Disney lineup. It was made back in 1970. It was the last film to be given the go-ahead by Walt Disney and the first to be completed after his passing. Adults will notice how there are many similar elements that they love in other Disney movies, such as I mentioned with 101 Dalmatians. The kids will love it because it’s a wild and comical romp with kittens.
The Aristocats revolves around a French actress (Hermione Baddeley) and her cats. The Duchess (Eva Gabor) is about as spoiled as they come, though she is a well behaved and humble cat. The Duchess is a mama to three kittens named Marie Antoinette, Berlioz, and Toulouse. Madame, as she is often called by Duchess plans to leave her fortune to Duchess and the kittens. Naturally, they cannot physically take the money so the butler Edgar (Roddy Maude-Roxbury) would be staying on to care for the cats and their needs. The good news, for him, is that when the cats pass on, he will receive the rest of their estate.
Naturally, Edgar is in no mood to wait around so he drugs the lot of the felines and plans to dispose of them deep in the country. His plans are foiled by a pair of farm dogs. Luckily for the cats, they are now free and Edgar did not get to go through with his entire plan. Unfortunately, they are stuck in the countryside and have no way of how to make it back home to Paris.
Enter Abraham De Lacey Giuseppe Casey Thomas O’Malley. Voiced by Phil Harris, O’Malley as he is called in shortened form is an alley cat who is as free as the wind. He has no commitment and goes where his paws take him. O’Malley is enlisted to help the family of cats and kittens find their way home. In the process, they have some dance numbers and he takes them to a jazz session that they are not used to seeing from their lovely Parisian home.
All in all, this is a movie that kids will love. The animation is good and the attention to detail is definitely impressive. Perhaps this is not my favorite because I am more partial to those lovable Dalmatians. Either way, my own specific opinion aside, I can see that this is one of the features that fans of Disney will love and want to own.
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Replayability:
Acting: 
Directing:
Audio/Visual:
Even if you own the previously released version of this film you may want to succomb and purchase this one to replace the old one. The video quality here is 1.75:1 anamorphic widescreen, which is much nicer than the last versions specs. The colors are vibrant and the complete picture looks quite beautiful. Like most Disney films, this includes Fast Play. That means you won’t technically have to hit play. If you let Fast Play run it will show the trailers, movie into the main movie, and then run the special features. Hitting your menu button on your remote will turn off this function immediately.
Like the video, the sound also received an upgrade and is now available in Dolby Digital 5.1. It sounds great and offers wonderful support for music and dialogue. The disc offers subtitles, as well as French and Spanish dubbing in 5.1.
Visual:
Audio:
Bonus Features:
There are a ton of special features available here. The Virtual Kitten interactive game is a way for your kids to see what goes into taking care of cats. You can use this in the DVD player or on your computer, permitting you have a DVD-Rom drive. Fun with Language is another fun game that gives you a chance to learn the names of every instrument that is played in Scatcat’s band.
“Backstage Disney” offers three features including a gallery of production art, photos of the cast, and posters and promo items. The two featurettes include “The Sherman Brothers: The Aristocats of Disney Songs” and “The Great Cat Family”. There is also a deleted song, “She Never Felt Alone” and a vintage short, “Bath Day” starring Figaro the cat.
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Bottom Line:
Whether I like it or not, The Aristocats are here to stay. The upside is that these cats are utterly adorable and the kittens are quite amusing. The music wasn’t my favorite, though I realize many people do love it. In the end, I fully recognize that while it isn’t for me, it might be for you, and it’s most definitely going to be for your kids. This one is highly recommended on the basis that the kids will love it.
Overall Rating: Overall Rating:
Technorati Tags: Cartoon, Animation, Disney Movie, Childrens Movie, Cats, Aristocats, Paris, DVD Review, Movie
Written by Ashtyn Evans – Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn attends Wright State where she is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.
