Don't Believe the Hype

Best movie ever!

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

This is so clearly within the lazy years of Disney; lifeless settings, chaotic lines, blatant character copies. Yet because of its simple, quiet nature, it stands out. Bernard and Bianca are completely endearing characters, and their mission (though wrought with manipulation) is admirable and tearful. (Side note: it's so weird to me that this is the only Disney Animation Studios film to get an official sequel)

I actually enjoyed this movie as a child, but after watching it as an adult I was disappointed. The songs are really bland and every time they had the girl on screen I just wanted to get back to the mice rescuers. They are the heart of the film but they never reach the summit like other Disney classics. The music is bland and the villain is a copy of other Disney villains. The movie just does not make sense. However, I have to stress that the kids will love it just as I did as a child. Who doesn't want to be rescued by little mice. So put into context as a child film, this one will hit all the right notes, but for adults it's a miss.

The Rescuers (1977): Dir: Wolfgang Reitherman, John Lounsbery, Art Stevens / Voices: Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, Geraldine Page, Joe Flynn, Michelle Stacy: Disney animation about small factors making a big difference. The heroes are rodents who tackle larger than life challenges and they have just received bottled messages from a kidnapped orphan named Penny held by the evil Madam Medusa. Of these mice there is the humble and resourceful Bernard and the charming Bianca. They are assisted by Orville the wise-cracking Albatross who flies them to the everglades where Penny is being held. Meduca is searching for the biggest diamond in the world and using Penny to find it. Adventurous plot with dazzling images that only goes astray during its chaotic climax. Bob Newhart and Eva Gabor voice Bernard and Bianca who lead the mission and take a variety of risks. Geraldine Page voices Madam Meduca as an intimidating villain. Penny seems unsympathetic though. Other voices include Joe Flynn voicing Meduca's standard henchman who ends up the product of deception. Michelle Stacy voices that dimwit Penny who sabotages more of the film than not. Fine directing by Wolfgang Reitherman and John Lounsbery with colourful animated spectacular. Entertaining Disney adventure that renders a bold statement about the fact that size does count, even if it isn't very big. Score: 7 ½ / 10

Adapted and embellished from a series of children's stories The Rescuers is certainly an unusual entry in Disney's animated classics canon. Most Disney animations focus on spectacle, fantasy, and iconic, lasting imagery, while the Rescuers finds a comfortable groove in gloom and darkness.Shadowing the UN building in New York is an organization called the Rescue Aid Society run by mice. A message in a bottle has floated up the Hudson and made it into their HQ. The letter is written by Penny who has been kidnapped.Miss Bianca, representing Hungary at this organisation, volunteers for the mission of retrieving her and recruits bumbling janitor Bernard as her sidekick. Eva Gabor and Bob Newhart provide the voices, and they have decent chemistry together.They soon make their way to the Bayou where Penny is being held by her captors and forced to look for a hidden treasure underground. This is where the movie ends up making no sense at all. Why would Louisiana-based crooks be so keen on kidnapping a New York-based girl to do their dirty work for them? Why did they not just get a local kid to do it? Or dig it out themselves with bigger tools? There's no logic to it all all. I kept waiting for an explanation like Penny's dad was the dead pirate buried down there but...nope!Morose, atmospheric backdrops such as windy and cold New York, tangled forests, and dark, brooding bayous sets apart the Rescuers. It's a very involving style and it makes it perfect viewing for grey Sunday afternoons.In many ways this movie feels like a prototype of Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers, and any fans of that show will no doubt enjoy the exploits of the Rescue Aid Society.