 cropped-thumb-62x62-29482.jpg)
A lesser-known entry in the world of Disney animation -- but an endearing one nonetheless -The Great Mouse Detective is based on the children's book Basil of Baker Street, in turn a kid-ification of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, with a hyperintelligent mouse investigating crime in London.
At 72 minutes in length, it's a quick hop, skip, and jump across London, from a toy store to a pub to Big Ben, while Basil searches for poor Olivia's kidnapped father. The crook: Ratigan, voiced masterfully and inimitably by Vincent Price. With appropriately vintage, late-1800s period music and sets, the movie may not offer children the goofy stimulation of a Shrek or a Toy Story, but it's harmless enough that any kid ought to be entertained for the full running time -- even if the movie's hero is a bit too stuffy to relate to.
On DVD, you get a making-of short and a few extra Disney short films, plus the ubiquitous sing-along feature.
Aka The Adventures of the Great Mouse Detective.
