This animated take on Oliver Twist re-imagines Oliver as an adorable orphaned kitten who struggles to survive in New York City and falls in with a band of canine criminals led by an evil human. First, Oliver meets Dodger, a carefree mutt with street savoir faire. But when Oliver meets wealthy Jenny on one of the gang's thieving missions, his life changes forever.
Joey Lawrence
Oliver (voice)
Billy Joel
Dodger (voice)
Cheech Marin
Tito (voice)
Richard Mulligan
Einstein (voice)
Roscoe Lee Browne
Francis (voice)
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Rita (voice)
Dom DeLuise
Fagin (voice)
Taurean Blacque
Roscoe (voice)
Carl Weintraub
Desoto (voice)
Robert Loggia
Sykes (voice)
Natalie Gregory
Jenny (voice)
William Glover
Winston (voice)
Bette Midler
Georgette (voice)
Deborah Gates
(voice)
Charles Bartlett
Additional Voice (voice)
Jonathan Brandis
Additional Voice (voice)
Kal David
Additional Voice (voice)
Marcia Del Mar
Additional Voice (voice)
Victor DiMattia
Additional Voice (voice)
Judi M. Durand
Additional Voice (voice)
Greg Finley
Additional Voice (voice)
Javier Grajeda
Additional Voice (voice)
Frank Welker
Louie the Sausage Vendor (voice)
Nancy Parent
Additional Voices (voice)
Ruth Pointer
Rita (singing voice) (uncredited)
J.D. Hall
Additional Voices (voice)
Director
George Scribner
Novel
Charles Dickens
Screenplay
James Mangold
Screenplay
Tim Disney
Screenplay
Jim Cox
Story
Joe Ranft
Story
Kevin Lima
Story
Roger Allers
Story
Vance Gerry
Story
David Michener
Story
Peter Young
Story
Gary Trousdale
Story
Kirk Wise
Story
Mike Gabriel
Story
Chris Bailey
Story
Leon Joosen
Story
Michael Cedeno
Story
Jim Mitchell
December 24, 2023
6
I suppose it was only a matter of time before this classic Charles Dickens story got the Disney treatment - but given that it's completely devoid of any darkness or eeriness, this rather too cheerful and vibrant pet-fest doesn't really work for me. The eponymous kitten is adopted by a gang of dogs that, much like "Fagin's Boys" in the book, engage in a bit of petty crime for their boss "Fagin" who, himself, lives in terror of the malevolent "Sykes". When the latter cottons on that "Oliver" has been adopted into a wealthy home, he insists that "Fagin" enact a trap to lure "Jenny" from her luxury mansion so he can ransom her back to her dad. It falls to "Oliver" and his canine companions to thwart this dastardly plan. You can't really fault the quality of the animation and an array of musicians including Barry Manilow and Dan Hartman are behind the songs that won't exactly stick in your mind afterwards, but that do help to keep this amiable production rolling along. Sadly, though, it's all just way too predictably light and fluffy and takes just a little too much of a factory approach to one of the more substantial stories of English literature. Younger kids may like it though - it's pretty joyous and extols the virtues of loyalty, team playing and friendship and it's not without the odd laugh to two.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$31,000,000.00
Revenue:
$121,000,000.00