Today’s quick review: Oliver & Company. Oliver (Joey Lawrence), an abandoned kitten living on the streets of New York, finds a new home when he meets Dodger (Billy Joel), a street-smart dog who leads a pack of strays. Dodger teaches Oliver how to steal to help out Fagin (Dom DeLuise), a homeless man who takes care of the strays. But trouble strikes when Mr. Sykes (Robert Loggia), a ruthless loan shark, comes to collect the money Fagin owes him.
Oliver & Company is an animated family adventure loosely based on Oliver Twist. Oliver & Company follows a young kitten as he searches for a home on the tough streets of New York. The movie features a colorful cast, a catchy soundtrack, and an unusally serious plot for a family film, although it is still fundamentally a comedy. Oliver & Company is a fun watch that is easy to overlook, but its character work is a step down from Disney’s best.
Oliver & Company gets its appeal from a variety of different sources. Dodger makes a strong impression as a wily, charismatic dog, and his pack quickly establishes itself as an offbeat but utterly loyal family. Mr. Sykes stands out as one of the more menacing, realistic villains to come out of Disney. The story also has some heart as Oliver is torn between his new friends and Jenny (Natalie Gregory), a rich little girl who finds him on the street.
The one real weakness of the movie is that its characters miss the mark. Oliver is overshadowed by his friends and never gets the chance to really prove himself. Dutch is a cheat, a thief, and occasionally a bully, although he remains loyal to Oliver once he warms up to the kitten. While Fagin is sympathetic, his criminal tendencies and poor decisions undercut the goodwill he builds. In general, the cast is easy to like but hard to love.
Oliver & Company is an oddity but an enjoyable one. It has the usual mixture of music, comedy, and heart, but its conflicts are somewhat more mature than the usual kids’ fare. At the same time, it has a harder time figuring out a clear arc for it main character and balancing the virtues and vices of its supporting cast. The result is a nice treat for fans of Disney’s animation, but one that will not resonate as strongly as their best work.
For another heartfelt story about a canine criminal, try All Dogs Go to Heaven. For a different animated adventure about the promise of New York, try An American Tail. For a live-action family comedy that pays tribute to the city, try Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
[6.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095776/). I give it a 7.0 for a fun story with a few rough edges.