One of Disney’s latest offerings on Blu-ray is the classic animated feature “The Aristocats.” It’s interesting that the Mouse House released two 1970s era films in the same month. This one boasts a jazzy soundtrack that will have viewers of all ages tapping their feet. It’s of note that this was the last movie Walt Disney approved before his death in 1966.
The scheming butler of a rich Parisian socialite kidnaps her beloved mother cat and kittens after overhearing the woman’s plans to leave her inheritance to the pets. A smooth-talking tomcat helps the high-society house cat and her family finds their way back home. They meet all kinds of interesting characters along the way.
This is standard Disney in all its shining glory. It promotes family and shows the audience that good always overcomes evil in the end. The story comes off as a “101 Dalmatians” for cat lovers, but doesn’t completely duplicating it. The pacing is good and keeps the action moving forward.
The characters are all memorable and quirky in their own ways. Eva Gabor voices the feline Duchess with her usual refined Hungarian accent. Phil Harris is fabulously sassy as the free-spirited and swinging alley cat Thomas O’Malley. Scatman Crothers is perfectly cast as Scat Cat, the leader of an interracial jazz group.
The high-definition picture and audio will please Disney enthusiasts. All the colors are more vibrant than they’ve ever been. The 5.1 surround sound guarantees you’ll hear every line of dialogue and every instrument strummed or banged on during the musical numbers.
Disney packed the Blu-ray edition full of bonus material. It features a lost opening sequence, the “Oui Oui Marie” music video, and a classic deleted song entitled “She Never Felt Alone.” There are also featurettes including “The Sherman Brothers: The Aristocats of Disney Songs” and an excerpt from “The Great Cat Family” hosted by Walt Disney. It also contains the classic short bonus “Bath Day,” “The Aristocats” Scrapbook, and a language game. You can choose to play the movie with on-screen lyrics as well.
The 2-Disc Blu-ray + DVD Special Edition of “The Aristocats” is a must-have for every collector of Disney movies in a high-definition format. A new digital transfer and new special features makes it highly recommended. It’s a true classic that fits perfectly next to “Lady and the Tramp” and “The Rescuers” in your movie library.
For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:
Blu-ray Review: “The Rescuers” and “The Rescuers Down Under” 35th Anniversary Edition
Blu-Ray Review: “The Lorax”
DVD Review: “Scooby-Doo! Laff-A-Lympics: Spooky Games”
