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Movies / On DVD / Oliver and Company
Oliver and Company

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Oliver and Company (1988)

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Reviews Counted:33

Fresh:14

Rotten:19

Average Rating:5.4/10

Consensus: Oliver & Company is a decidedly lesser effort in the Disney canon, with lackluster songs, stiff animation, and a thoroughly predictable plot.

Runtime: 74 mins

Genre: Childrens

Synopsis: This animated Disney film, loosely based on Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," revolves around a cute orphaned kitten named Oliver, who is given shelter by a streetwise gang of dogs. A human beggar... This animated Disney film, loosely based on Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," revolves around a cute orphaned kitten named Oliver, who is given shelter by a streetwise gang of dogs. A human beggar named Fagin does his best to provide for these homeless (and tuneful) animals. But Fagin has a problem: he owes the wicked loan shark Sykes a lot of dough, and has only three days in which to cough it up. Oliver and the pooches take it upon themselves to help Fagin out of the doghouse. Meanwhile, Oliver is adopted by a lonely (and rich) girl named Jenny -- who Sykes later kidnaps. Can Oliver and his canine cohorts find a way to save both Fagin and Jenny? [More]

Starring: Joey Lawrence, Billy Joel, Cheech Marin, Bette Midler

Starring: Joey Lawrence, Billy Joel, Cheech Marin, Bette Midler, Dom DeLuise, Robert Loggia, Roscoe Lee Browne, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Richard Mulligan

Director: George Scribner

Director: George Scribner
Screenwriter: Jim Cox, Timothy J. Disney, James Mangold, Roger Allers

[See More Credits]

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Release:

May 28, 2002

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Oliver & Company: Special Edition
  • A timeless classic inspired by Charles Dickens' novel "Oliver Twist," OLIVER & COMPANY is a fun-filled, action-packed musical adventure voiced and sung by one of the most talented casts in Disney history! And now you can own this Disney masterpiece on DVD! The film artfully blends lovable characters, cool songs, and action-packed adventure into a contemporary classic that's "charming, funny, musical, and thrilling!" (ABC-TV) Disney's hip, high-energy tale begins in the concrete canyons of New York City, where Oliver, an adorable orphaned kitten, is befriended by Dodger, a carefree mutt with a certain street savoir faire. The mischievous little cat is welcomed by Dodger's pack of pickpocket pooches, including dim-witted Einstein, ravishing Rita, and live-wire Tito. This ragtag family of misfits runs into trouble when the evil mastermind Sykes -- aided by his two daunting dobermans -- schemes to kidnap the lonely little rich girl who just adopted Oliver! It's up to the brave kitten and his newfound friends to race to the rescue in an electrifying chase through the city's subway system. Boasting five outstanding original songs and the musical talents of Billy Joel, Bette Midler, and Huey Lewis -- and overflowing with brilliant animation, OLIVER & COMPANY is a modern masterpiece.
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Oliver and Company

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    Quite insipid and wretchedly unengaging.

    Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy | comment Comment
    11/24/09
    Tim Brayton
    Tim Brayton
    Antagony & Ecstasy

    The computer-assisted animation is relatively stiff and inexpressive.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    11/13/09
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    Lacks the classic Disney charm that works for adults as well as kids

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    11/13/09
    Empire Magazine

    The animation is fairly unexciting though serviceable, and the overall mystification of class difference would probably have made Dickens shudder, but kids should find this tolerable enough.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    11/13/09
    Jonathan Rosenbaum
    Jonathan Rosenbaum
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The general quality of the animation and script would disappoint more sophisticated viewers.

    Full Review Source: Film4 | comment Comment
    11/13/09
    Film4

    Even as a cartoon poodle, Bette Midler stops the show.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    11/13/09
    Rita Kempley
    Rita Kempley
    Washington Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The last gasp of Disney Animation's post-Walt malaise before the 1990s Disney renaissance … retains Dickens's seamy milieu, but not his morality-play tableau.

    Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide | comment Comment
    03/17/09
    Steven D. Greydanus
    Steven D. Greydanus
    Decent Films Guide

    Far from classic but it is interesting to watch for its take on the pre-Disnified New York landscape following the company's real estate foray into the iconic downtown core.

    Full Review Source: Movie Views | comment Comment
    02/17/09
    Ryan Cracknell
    Ryan Cracknell
    Movie Views

    The animation is clumsy, the songs are forgettable, the attempts at late-80s relevance now come across as dated and slightly embarrassing.

    Full Review Source: DVDTalk.com | comment Comment
    02/10/09
    David Cornelius
    David Cornelius
    DVDTalk.com

    I guess I can cut the Mouse House a little slack when it comes to paint-by-numbers mediocrities like Oliver & Company.

    Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
    02/02/09
    Eric Henderson
    Eric Henderson
    Slant Magazine

    More notable for what it isn't than what it is, it's one of the gangly middle children of the Disney animation family, not quite sure how to fit in, or even if it's valued.

    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    01/30/09
    Brian Webster
    Brian Webster
    Apollo Guide

    Surely one of Disney's weakest full-length animated features, Oliver and Company features terrible, badly dated songs and some shoddy, patchwork animation with precious few dazzling moments.

    Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
    01/29/09
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Combustible Celluloid

    Much cornball adventure ensues, punctuated by healthy helpings of singing, dancing and general merriment.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    01/26/06
    Time Out

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    08/17/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    Animated Dickens makes for a surprisingly successful translation, and in my book Billy Joel can do very little wrong.

    comment Comment
    06/13/05
    Gregory Weinkauf
    Gregory Weinkauf
    ÜberCiné

    Cute but forgettable cartoon musical; a solid voice cast does a decent job.

    comment Comment
    04/06/05
    Scott Weinberg
    Scott Weinberg
    eFilmCritic.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    02/25/05
    Philip Martin
    Philip Martin
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    Pure ‘80s drivel.

    Full Review Source: Movie Gurus | comment Comment
    06/10/04
    James O'Ehley
    James O'Ehley
    Movie Gurus

    ...the virtual nadir of the Disney oeuvre.

    Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
    08/01/03
    David Nusair
    David Nusair
    Reel Film Reviews

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
    05/14/03
    Jeanne Aufmuth
    Jeanne Aufmuth
    Palo Alto Weekly
     
     
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