A Year With Walt: The Great Mouse Detective

Eeek! I am so sorry that this post is so late. Unfortunately life (and Disneyland!) intervened, but nevertheless I am back on track. This week's Disney movie takes us to London. It's The Great Mouse Detective.

The film premiered in 1986 and is our 26th movie stop on this year through Disney films. The film centers on Basil of Baker Street (aka the Great Mouse Detective) and a mystery that leads him to the opportunity to take down his nemesis - Ratigan (a rat (in EVERY sense of the word) who wants to take over the mice-dom throne). Olivia Flaversham's father, a toymaker, has been kidnapped. Seeking help, the young Olivia sets out to find Basil and on her way meets Dr. Dawson. The trio soon find themselves on an adventure to find Olivia's father, stop the evil Ratigan, and save the Queen (of the mice). Has anyone else noticed how many Disney movies have mice in them? I've rather lost count... Moving on.

This film is much more enjoyable (and a greater success!) than it's unfortunate predecessor. The Great Mouse Detective is fun, lively, and cleverly comedic, with a sufficient pinch of heartwarming content as well. While not as rich as some Disney films musically, there are still a few tow-tapping numbers. (Watch out for the Ratigan song though! That one gets stuck in your head!)

Basil, of The Great Mouse Detective, is fashioned after the famed, fictional Sherlock Holmes detective. Basil was actually named after Basil Rathbone, an actor known for his role as (you guessed it!) Sherlock Holmes. One of the greatest points in the movie has got to be the cameo of "Sherlock Holmes" that briefly appears while the mice hurry to solve their own mystery. The voice of Sherlock Holmes in the film is taken from a 1966 reading by none other than Basil Rathbone. Disney details! They're the best!

Perhaps my favorite part of this movie was Toby, Sherlock Holmes' dog and Basil's somewhat obedient transport and tracker. His scenes always add a touch of humor. :)