The '70s and '80s may not be remembered as Disney's golden age, but there's a certain charm about the lesser-known animated originals they produced during those two decades. Stepping outside the comfort zone of familiar folk and fairy tales, Disney experimented with flicks like The Rescuers, The Black Cauldron, and, of course, The Great Mouse Detective. Since Robert Downey Jr.'s take on Holmes just hit DVD this week, it's no surprise that Disney has announced a coattail-riding release of The Great Mouse Detective (Mystery in the Mist Edition) this April 13th.
Based on the "Basil of Baker Street" books, Mouse Detective sets Basil -- a brilliant detective who, you may have guessed, also happens to be a mouse -- against an evil scheme by his arch enemy, Professor Ratigan. There's no Blu-ray version, which is a shame, but the DVD is a newly restored digital master, so it's bound to look better than it did on screen back when I was eight. The flick was the feature directorial debut of Disney stalwarts Ron Clements and John Musker, who just shepherded the studio back into traditional animation with The Princess and the Frog. So, you know, it's got breeding.
The new "Mystery in the Mist" edition is a bit underpowered compared to Disney's full-blown releases, such as the excellent "Diamond Edition" release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Still, it does include several extras, and since I've got a little one on the way, I plan on adding it my library as part of the kid's eventual cinematic indoctrination.
Special Features
- So You Think You Can Sleuth? -- An animated look at the history of detective work, complete with a crime-solving puzzle for the entire family.
- The Making of "The Great Mouse Detective"
- "The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind" Sing-Along Song
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