Product: The Rescuers Down Under [VHS] (1990)
Rating: 5.0
One of the Greatest Animated Films of All Time
A lot of reviews for "The Rescuers Down Under" seem to be focusing on the fact that it's a sequel; as a result, their reviews tend to be biased: either they are in favor of Disney sequels, or they detest the very idea of Disney sequels.Please disregard these reviews.Contrary to other reviewers' suggestions, "The Rescuers Down Under" was by no means intended for a straight-to-video release. In fact, the production value in this film is just as high if not even higher in some aspects than the Disney box office giants that followed it, such as "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," etc. The film uses CGI subtly and is chock full of fantastic imagery--not even just of the Australian Outback--a wide variety of sound effects, and boasts Bruce Broughton's incredible score--which I would consider to be among the best Disney feature scores of all time."The Rescuers Down Under" was the first Disney film in what might be referred to as the "Disney Renaissance" (1988-1999). Its uniform finish and faded shading on characters is the result of a new digital painting technique called the Computer Animation Production System (CAPS); this computerized production system was utilized for the last scene of "The Little Mermaid" (the previous Disney film) but was only first used 100% for the production of "The Rescuers Down Under."The fact that the film wastes no time with musical numbers--a stereotypical Disney and animation element, as the only previous Disney Classic film to lack musical numbers was "The Black Cauldron"--is a plus; the story drives itself and there is a definite synergy between the fantastic voice acting, the high-quality animation, and the breathtaking Australian scenery. Moreover, "The Rescuers Down Under" defies most stereotypical Disney standards, giving it a very mature and refined feel; there are ZERO cringe moments in the film, and none of the humor is overly childish.If you have a child who is interested in flying (i.e.- riding in airplanes) and/or exploring the world (namely the Outback, which is one of the most fascinating locations on the planet and is well represented here), "The Rescuers Down Under" could easily become his/her favorite film. Throughout the film there is a sense of adventure and much of the "camera work" has utilized digital effects to create a fantastic sense of flying; the "animated cinematography" of the film is flawless, and the overall appearance is consistently pristine.In conclusion, allow me to reiterate: what makes "The Rescuers Down Under" so phenomenal is the plain and simple fact that it defies expectations, namely what one would expect from Disney and particularly from a Disney sequel. This film is not even comparable to "The Rescuers" because they are completely different in style."The Rescuers Down Under" followed on the heels of some above-standard programming from Disney, including "Ducktales" and the unique theatrical release "Oliver & Company," and it was followed closely by "Talespin," "Darkwing Duck," and "Goof Troop," all Saturday morning cartoon shows that were by no means dumbed down to pander to little children--who are by no means as lacking in intellect as previous and subsequent children's entertainment seem to anticipate.BOTTOM LINE: "The Rescuers Down Under" is a sharp-looking and sharp-feeling film that is suitable for ALL ages, young and old. I consider myself to have especially refined taste when it comes to animated features, and I say this one ranks among THE BEST.Most critics agree; the only reason "The Rescuers Down Under" flopped at the box office was because of competition ("Home Alone," apparently) and some aversion to sequels on the part of moviegoers...which incidentally prompted Disney to avoid theatrical release of sequels for over a decade after that. "The Rescuers Down Under" did have a successful video release, which would have led to a third film in 1996, had Eva Gabor not died before it could be made.