Animated Antic Not long ago, I had to sit through the Sherlock Holmes inspired animated film "Sherlock Gnomes" and I really didn't like that experience. Not only was it a boring and unnecessary sequel to a film that few remembered, but it was also a poor excuse of a Sherlock Holmes inspired movie. I just remembered the characters being unlikeable and having no charm to them whatsoever as well as the mystery elements being very poor. After watching that film, I began to wonder why couldn't there be a fun animated movie that had been influenced by the Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle when I realized there was already one that was done by Walt Disney Animation Studios back in 1986 called "The Great Mouse Detective". This film is a massive improvement over the former as it's not only a fun Sherlock Gnomes inspired flick, it's also a great animated movie.When mouse toymaker Hiriam Flaversham (Alan Young) is kidnapped by a peg legged bat, his young daughter Olivia (Susanne Pollatschek) goes off looking for help in hopes of finding the famed detective Basil of Baker Street (Barrie Ingham). Along the way, she meets Dr. David Q. Dawson (Val Bettin) who has just returned from service in Afghanistan and is looking for a place to stay. The two together meet the eccentric detective and discover that her father was taken by a bat named Fidget (Candy Candido) who in turn is working for the evil Professor Rattigan (Vincent Price) a rat who has constantly slipped from Basil's fingers and is planning on using Faversham to create an evil device in time for Queen Mousetoria's Diamond Jubilee. With the help of Dr. Dawson and young Olivia, Basil plans on stopping the evil rat and save Flaversham before it's too late. I'm not going to give out any more of the plot, because you should probably see this movie yourself.At a time when Disney was really struggling to get back to their golden era, this a great animated movie. It was made one year after the disaster that was "The Black Cauldron" which felt nothing like a Disney film and turned out pretty unpleasant. This film on the other hand has so much more passion and energy put into it by it's crew compared to that film and there's reasons it shows. One reason why is because the film has fantastic directors helming it including John Musker and Ron Clements, who would later go on to do "The Little Mermaid", "Aladdin", "The Princess and the Frog" and "Moana", as well as story artist Burny Mattinson who had previously directed the charming short "Mickey's Christmas Carol". Another reason it works well is because the story feels like classic Disney as well as classic Sherlock Holmes. It has the charm you expect to see in a classic Disney movie while also having the excitement and suspense from a Sherlock Holmes story. The animation is also a fantastic. The problems that were seen in "The Black Cauldron" like some terrible multiple camera shots were nowhere to be found in this film because the character animation is once again lively and full like a Disney movie with Glen Keane's animation of Rattigan really stealing the show. I also like how well some of the computer animation in the finale has held up all these years later. It was also pretty revolutionary too as although "Black Cauldron" was released first, this was the first animated movie in production to use computer animation. The best part of this movie were the characters who were all likable. The way Basil acts like Sherlock Holmes with his eccentric attitude and Dawson acting like Dr. Watson with his bumbling personality is perfect and even young Olivia is also cute and likable which is saying something because some children characters can turn out annoying at times. The real highlight of the movie though is Professor Rattigan though. Vincent Price's performance is delightfully wicked and is prime example of when a character and voice blend together perfectly. I don't think any other actor could pull of his character as well as Price. If I did have one complaint with the movie, it's that it does feel like it needs a clean up with the animations colors. I remember how well remastered some older Disney movies were and I think this film might be due for a remaster.So to end things off, I highly do recommend "The Great Mouse Detective". It's the best Sherlock Holmes inspired animated movie I've seen so far with a fun story, animation worth of the Disney name and characters that are bouncy and fun. If you like Sherlock Holmes, I guarantee that you'll like this film. Check it out sometime when you have the chance.

alcantaraj-16594 First off, give credits to where they are due: Basil and Professor Ratigan (Oh, Ratigan. Oh, Ratigan) are very entertaining characters voiced perfectly by Barrie Ingham and Vincent Price, respectively.Second, I'd like to praise the film's animation. Considering its a 1980s film, the animation is mostly not outdated.Lastly, I'd like to say that "The Great Mouse Detective" is very entertaining. It's fun from start to end, mostly thanks to the characters whom I cared for. I cared for them so much, I found myself cheering for them at a certain scene in the movie. (I never thought I'd cheer for them, but I did!).THIS IS A MUST SEE ENTERTAINING FILM!

MartinHafer "The Great Mouse Detective" was a very important Disney film for two important reasons. First, the studio was in horrible shape in the 1980s and it needed a hit badly...and the film was a considerable improvement in quality of some of the previous films (such as "The Black Cauldron"). Second, it was the first full-length Disney cartoon to have any computer animation and was way ahead of its time.As for the film itself, this is an enjoyable film and should please everyone. However, it's also a bit slight--easier to forget and not one that is what I would consider a must-see. The animation is about that of the Disney TV shows of the time (such as "Duck Tales" and "Gummi Bears") and the characters decent but derivative. Let's face it-- it's essentially Sherlock Holmes in mouse form. Also, the sexy singing mouse scene was unnecessary and a little bit gross (as is Ratigan's sidekick). On the plus size, Vince Price is terrific and the Olivia character quite cute. Worth seeing, of course, but not quite on par with their great films of the next two decades.

Terryfan One of the most underrated films from Disney that never got the respect it deserves.The Great Mouse Detective is like Sherlock Holmes but as a mouse, making him the greatest detective of all moused om. It's such a shame that this film doesn't get much star treatment as it deserves because it is such a good film.The story centers around Basil of Baker Street (Voiced by Barrie Ingham) who is hired by Olivia Flaversham (Voiced by Susanne Pollatschek)to help find her father Hiram Flaversham (Voiced by Alan Young) Basil along with Dr.David Q.Dawson (Voiced by Val Bettin) begin the investigation against Professor Ratigan (Voiced by Vincent Price) who is the criminal mind behind the kidnapping of Olivia's father. This film is what I best know Vincent Price for and listening to performance in the film he was the right choice to voiced Professor Ratigan. Barrie Ingham sold the role of Basil very well his performance was like seeing a stage actor during a play he did a very good job as the Greatest Detective of Mousedom. The Great Mouse Detective had a lot going for it and of course it being a Disney animated film you would expect nothing less.Animation for this film is so well done with great background, the fog effect really helps tell the story of the film. And the water effects are very detail as well. Lighting and thunder is very well time.The Characters are very well animated and when you watch the film it feels like you're watching a play like the animators watch each actor during the recording sessions.The voice acting is very well done and the cast helps sold the story with their performances.The music is so well done I love the score that was written for the film it is some of the best work ever in animation. Another reason to watch the film because of the music helps sold the story of the film and can build up the next scene. The setting for each scene is like the classic detective story of Sherlock Holmes and all the famous detectives in fiction.The Great Mouse Detective is one of Disney's most underrated films in their collection of animated films but once you watch the film you will appreciate the story telling and animation along with clever voice acting with strong performances by Barrie and Vincent.The whole family will enjoy this classic film and it's one of my favorites as well.Do yourself a favor and check out this classic film.I give The Great Mouse Detective an 8 out of 10