The Rescuers
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Movie Reviews of The Rescuers
Movie Review: Outstanding Disney animated classic, but a disappointing DVD release!
Summary: 5 Stars
Disney's 23rd animated classic, The Rescuers, ranks high at the top in the list of my favorite Disney animated features, followed by other grand masterpieces like Bambi (1942) and Lady and the Tramp (1955). I've owned "The Rescuers" on VHS since I was very little and as I grew up, I came to love the film, more and more, also, I was beginning to pay more attention to quality and details, that's why I was very disappointed with this highly anticipated DVD debut. Right off the bat, I'll state that it is obvious that Disney spent less time on this film's release than that of one of their new animated sequels. This DVD was an absolute disgrace to the classic and I know the film has more to give then what's here.
I'll start off describing the film. Based on two children's novels by Margery Sharp, "The Rescuers" and "Miss Bianca," Disney's The Rescuers is the story of a mouse organization called the Rescue Aid Society, in search for a lost little girl, who they find has been kidnapped by wicked treasure-seekers. The black-hearted Madame Medusa has taken a young orphaned girl named Penny away from her home, Morningside Orphanage in order to keep her captive hoping that she will be able to find a large diamond in a dark cave by the shore. After months of being forced into dangerous diamond-finding missions, Penny sends a plea for help which arrives in the shores of New York City. The heartbreaking plea has beautiful mouse Miss Bianca begging to be assigned onto the mission and chosing for a partner, the shy janitor mouse, Bernard. Meeting several characters along the way, Bernard and Miss Bianca think up an elaborate plan to rescue the little girl and have her safely back at the orphanage.
Besides a warm and soft storyline, memorable and colorful characters, The Rescuers also features a very beautiful soundtrack. Dark and sinister music creates the scary mood of swamp waters, while soft, lullaby melodies caress the sometimes heart-breaking scenes including the lonely little girl and the reading of the embottled plea. Although its hard to tell from this DVD, the film features sharp and believable animation, with lively movement. The art in this film varies in quality, the film opens beautiful with an artistic song sequence ("The Journey") which combines beautiful ocean-view paintings with a very moody song making a very breath-taking scene indeed. While the backgrounds are very artistic in the swamp and cave scenes, they somehow seem to get kind of murky and sketchy in the "modern scenes" such as the visit to the airport or the New York streets. Besides "The Journey," The Rescuers includes 4 other pretty songs, "Rescue Aid Society," "Tomorrow is Another Day," "Someone's Waiting for You" and "For Penny's a Jolly Good Fellow."
Now, about the DVD release. Absolute trash, one of the worst Disney DVD releases ever. It really shows, as soon as you look at it, that there's nothing special in this DVD edition, and that is as soon as you look at the cover, which is a re-use of the previous VHS Masterpiece Collection cover with a few things changed. The back of the DVD states the film received a "snappy new remastering," a pretty embarrassing remark may I say, the 1992 video release looked better, and I mean it. The DVD includes poor bonus features, one of them a short, 2 minute game that is sure to bore the lights out of the youngest of children. Picture quality for the film looks absolutely terrible, the colors are washed out and the picture isn't too sharp, very blurry and shaky sometimes. The darker scenes are the worst, the animation looks solid and bland and the backgrounds look pretty much black, without any life. Of course, that isn't the way the film was meant to be, but sadly, that's the way it has grown to look like after almost 30 years. A shame, when much older films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs look like jewels even after 68 years. Many other flaws make this DVD edition not worth your money. Other reviews state, "fans should be pleased," but I think:
Disney fans want more, film fans deserve more.
Movie Review: A charming and overlooked Disney animated classic!
Summary: 5 Stars
In the grand Disney library of classics there are a few that you could consider sweet and simply sweet, a few of those would be Disney films that easily bring a tear to your eyes, like Dumbo, Bambi, The Fox and the Hound and this timeless Disney adventure, The Rescuers. There's something so sweet surrounding the adventurous tale of a little orphan girl, being forced into a dangerous underground cave by an evil woman, you get to feel for this character in every angle and with that love the entire film more and more each time to watch it. I mentioned this being a sweet and charming film mainly because of the character of Penny, the little orphan but certain scenes jump out as most charming, one of them takes place in Penny's home, Morningside Orphanage where she shares her feelings and emotions with the local cat, Rufus, crying because she longs for the love of a mother and father. Another one happens while Penny is lonely and feeling hopeless, praying for help, the whole scene in her bedroom is absolutely beautiful, surrounded by lovely music and a sad and blue atmosphere. All of these things make Penny not only one of the most well developed Disney children in their history but also make her deserve everything she gains at the end of the film, which is happiness.
Opposite to Penny and the sweet animals in the film is the main villainess, Madame Medusa. Now, she is not often considered one of the greatest Disney villains but that is because few take the time to look at her from the film's point of view, now if Madame Medusa is not as evil as Maleficent or the Evil Queen is because she is expected to be defeated by a bunch of small critters which would have never been able to defeat a more dangerous and malicious villain like Shere Khan or Judge Claude Frollo, that's why characters like Madame Medusa and Mr. Snoops are just what a story like this needed for villains. Brutus and Nero, the aligators were also very challenging villains to deal with, as they followed orders from Medusa and their natural instincts, even with these, the rescuers where able to defeat them, making them even greater heroes.
It is a real shame that this wonderful film is often put aside and looked over when considering Disney's animated classics, for this film is a true jewel. Animation here is that sketchy style that Disney used after failing financially with Sleeping Beauty in 1959, but don't get scared, the film's sketchy style sort of adds to the mood of the story, you won't get cheap and dirty looking animated scenes like in Robin Hood, where animation was awful. The main problem here is this is one of those older Disney films which are desperate for a deep digital restoration, for some reason it isn't being given one, this is a big problem since they make the movie seem dirty and grainy and the colors seem washed out and faded. Let's keep hoping that Disney will make this their next grand release, many would love to see what this film has to offer in its original brilliance (Or beyond it, like in the recent restoration of Bambi (1942). Just a quick note, if you are thinking of buying the DVD, don't bother, any of the tape releases is just as good and the bonus features here are pretty dull and not too interesting, few even relate to the film.
Disney behaves pretty ungratefully towards this film, they have probably forgotten that it was The Rescuers that brought back to critics an interest in animation, perhaps without this lovely jewel, critical failures like The Fox and the Hound (1981) or The Black Cauldron (1985) and perhaps the beloved The Little Mermaid (1989) would have never been the same since some of the backgrounds during the soft "Kiss the Girl" scene came from this feature.
As closing thoughts, I will say that if you have never seen this film, you should give it a try, especially if you loved other sweet animated features from the studio. The film was followed by a terrible and weak sequel which never showed half the heart and warmth achieved with the original film. Greatly recommended, a winner in the Disney library!
Movie Review: Miss Bianca and Bernard to the rescue
Summary: 5 Stars
The Rescuers is one hour and seventeen minutes and was released on June 22, 1977. The movie mainly deals with two mice named Bernard and Miss Bianca and a small girl named Penny. The movie opens up with Penny dropping a bottle with a note inside it into the swamp waters and out to sea. The bottle makes it way to shore and is brought to the Rescue Aid Society. There the society reads the letter and Miss Bianca decides she wants the assignment and enlists the help of Bernard. Bernard has a fear of the number thirteen which is reference through the movie and he hates to fly and rather takes the train. There first stop is at the Morningside Orphanage where they meet Rufus; an elderly cat. Rufus tells about his last meeting with Penny and where she might be. Bernard and Miss Bianca then head to Medusa's Pawn Shop. They find a first grade reader's book and the two come to the conclusion the Medusa had kidnapped the child. Bernard and Miss Bianca prove themselves correct when they overhear Medusa talking on the phone to Mr. Snoops about Penny throwing bottles with notes into the swamp. The two try to hide in Medusa's suitcase when she leaves for the Devil's Bayou; though it is never mentioned where Devil's Bayou is, it is assumed it is located in Florida or Louisiana. Medusa's suitcase flies out of the car and Miss Bianca and Bernard must find another way to get there. The two fly down to the Devil's Bayou on Albatross Airlines. Once the couple arrives at Devil's Bayou, the race is on to find Penny. Along with Evinrude, Miss Bianca and Bernard head to an abandon riverboat where Medusa and Mr. Snoops are holding Penny hostage. Penny, Miss Bianca, and Bernard come up with a plan so Penny can escape and send Evinrude to round up the team. Since Evinrude did not arrive in time Penny must go back to the cave and find the Devil's Eye. Penny, Miss Bianca, and Bernard are lowered down into the cove and the three begin the look for the diamond. The three find the diamond and are brought back to the surface. It is back on the surface that Medusa shows her true colors. She has planned all along to keep the diamond all to herself and not split it 50/50 with Mr. Snoops as they original agreed. Back at the riverboat, the swamp animals, Miss Bianca, and Bernard put their rescue plan into place. In the end Penny is rescued and is adopted. The Rescuers marked the end of the Silver Age of Disney films and the last one to be nominated for an Oscar; it would be another twelve years until the Little Mermaid that a Disney movie got an Oscar nomination. Also it was the last movie to feature Disney's "nine old men" team. The Rescuers was also the first Disney movie to have a sequel. The Rescuers gets an AAAAA+++++.
DVD FEATURES
Play
Bonus Features
1. The Ultimate Case Game
2. Three Blind Mouseketeers-Animation Short
3. Water Birds: A Walt Disney True Life Adventure
4. Under The Hat-Villains
5. The Rescuers Scrapbook
6. Someone Waiting For You
Scene Selection
Sneak Peeks
1. The Lion King-Special Edition
2. Air Bud Spikes Back
3. Stitch! The Movie
4. Piglet's Big Movie
5. Jungle Book 2
6. Sleeping Beauty-Special Edition
Set Up
VHS PREVIEWS
1. Mulan
2. Winnie the Pooh-Sing a Song with Pooh Bear
3. 101 Dalmatians
4. Frank and Ollie
5. The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit
Mouse Works
-Pluto Gets the Paper
Movie Review: Utterly Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Rescuers" is still a movie shown to animation students everywhere; the animation in it is simply that stupendous and magical. This 1977 animated movie still delivers. Strong characters and story help it to shine as brightly today as the diamond on which the whole story centres.
At the Rescue Aid Society in New York (beneath the UN Headquarters), a message in a bottle pleading for help is examined. Bianca, a foreign representative, takes the case and selects timid but moral janitor Bernard for the job. They set out to find the girl, Penny, and help her all they can. That the two are mice won't distract them from dealing with larger-than-life foes such as the incredible Medusa, her bumbling partner-in-crime Snoops and alligators Brutus and Nero. Penny, whom Medusa uses to search for the legendary diamond the Devil's Eye due to her small size, needs all the help she can get. But the Rescuers are up against formidable foes.
The Rescuers is a short movie, only about 75 minutes, but it packs its punch into its short time frame. The characters really make the movie shine. Bernard and Bianca work wonderfully together, as does the troupe of supporting characters such as the swamp rodents. The only character I don't like is Evinrude the dragonfly, who has a large part in the movie. Penny is adorable and we totally feel for her in the horrible situation she finds herself in.
However, the star of the movie is Medusa, the sort of character who only occurs once in cinema. Medusa is despicable and repulsive, yet beautifully so; she is fascinatingly and charismatically evil. Here is a person who has pet alligators and deals with rodents by shooting them with a shotgun. Geraldine Paige nails the voice role, but it's the animators who bring her so fantastically to life. Disney was using another sort of production style at the time, where they xeroxed their drawings, resulting in the rough pencil style also seen in the Aristocats and Robin Hood. Some reviewers here don't like it, and I couldn't disagree with them more. I personally love this style, as it draws out the true rawness and beauty of the animation; it isn't trying to hide the draftsmanship behind it all. As I stated above, The Rescuers is still noted for its animation. More than once, in my animation school, have my teachers liked to show us Medusa's first clip, on which you could model a whole animation class. Medusa's gestures, moves, looks and little mannerisms represent a level of animation that only a master can stout at possessing. What did you expect, from someone like Milt Kahl? All this makes Medusa not only a marvel in animation, but a timeless and electric character that will live on in our minds for a long, long time.
Interestingly, the villains in the movie attracted all the best animators. Not only Medusa but her "sweetheart" Snoops is fantastic. Pet alligators Brutus and Nero are then simply astounding, doing for animal animation what Medusa does for human animation. The scene where they're playing the organ is simply delicious to behold.
The Rescuers is an amazing animated movie for the ages. It's got something for everyone; great story, awesome characters, stupendous animation (which brings both of the aforementioned to life). This is one of those times when animation fully reveals its potential. Let it be forever heralded.
Movie Review: A different kind of Disney magic!
Summary: 5 Stars
Boy, was I pleased with this lovely adaptation of Margery Sharp's novels. I've heard a little critizism saying that the film didn't follow Margery's work, which is true, but those who see beyond basic storyline will find Margery Sharp's work sparkle in this beautiful Disney Classic. The elements that made Sharp's work so pure and memorable are all found here. Simple charm, soft drama, simplicity and sophistication.
Charm is all over this little gem. Most of these moments include the little girl Penny. In specific a scene in which she is being remembered by Rufus the cat at Morningside Orphanage, when they look out the window and in the light of day can point out a simple shining star. The little poem "Faith is a Blue Bird" is magical. This is one of the most emotional scenes in the movie. Another example of this is when Penny is getting ready for bed at the riverboat in which she is being held hostage and gets down on her knees to pray. That whole scene was done beautifully, with soft music and lots and lots of emotion. Simple charm like this was a huge part of Margery Sharp's works, and it is also a big part of this film. This kind of magic is what Disney should aim for now-a-days. You don't need masterful animation, or bright colors or powerful songs, The Rescuers was so magical even without the "usual" meaning of magic.
Drama! After over 10 years of comedy after comedy, The Disney Studios finally returned to shape with this soft drama. Drama is needed in every film to make it memorable and The Rescuers has that from its very opening. You can cry just from watching the opening of the film, in which a little bottle (Yes! A bottle!) desperately sings the beautiful "The Journey" as it tries to survive the raging oceanic waters. Is that magic or is that pure magic? Of course, you shouldn't just go with pure drama, which was Disney's mistake once this film was completed. The '80s, sometimes called Disney's dark era saw way too much darkness, gloom and depression for audiences to be able to fully enjoy the film. The movies need a balance between light and dark to fully work and that's what makes The Rescuers so great. A good example is "Someone's Waiting for You", as Penny cries, hoping and waiting for help and then seeing the star of faith shine and brighten the bayou with beautiful purple light; Or purple magic.
There was sophistication to this movie that isn't always seen in Disney movies nowadays. The characters seemed so secure and proud. From the wicked Madame Medusa, to sassy little girl Penny, not to mention the glamarous Miss Bianca. Taken straight out of Sharp's novels right into the Disney film. Another perfect Margery Sharp element beautifully added to the film. I have my theory as to why this film is often viewed as the only "good Disney animated film from the '70s and '80s" and I think it was because it combined the trademark of both eras, keeping a balanced combination of both '70s comedy and '80s drama. Not to mention, featuring the most Disney magic in years. Recommended for anyone! But I'd buy the VHS over the DVD, as the DVD quality is quite poor. Hopefully Disney will be sure to re-release this classic gem in the future.