Oliver and Company
1988
I’m never going to be able to escape this story. In my last blog, I had to watch Oliver! the musical version of the classic novel Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens. In ninth grade I had to read the actual novel multiple times. And now I get to watch the animated version. Oh joy.
It could be worse though. It could be a story I don’t like whatsoever, like Twilight! I’d complain quite a bit if that were the case.
This time around Oliver is a pathetic kitten living on the streets of New York City. Dumped in a box with a dozen or so other kittens, he was the only one not picked. Poor little guy. I would have taken him home! But alas, he's not real. So off he must go to wander the streets of NYC all alone.
Until he meets Dodger, a sunglass wearing dog, played by BILLY JOEL! Billy Joel is one of my favorite musicians ever and I don’t care what anyone else’s opinions on him are, I love him and always and forever will.
So anyway, Billy Joel (or Dodger, whatever) teaches Oliver some of the ways of the street, and Oliver follows him back to his place. There Oliver meets some other street dogs who live with Dodger and Fagin. Fagin is the “owner” of all these dogs, and he uses them to help pickpocket the people of the city.
Unfortunately for Fagin, he has run into a problem. He borrowed money from one of the most vicious men, Sykes, in the whole city, and possibly the whole world. He’s quite nasty, demanding that Fagin must pay him back immediately the amount that he owes, which apparently quite the hefty sum.
Since Fagin is just a lowly thief, he has nothing to pay Sykes at the moment. Angry, Sykes gives him three days to come up with the money, or else. Dun dun DUNNNN.
While out around the street the next day, the gang decides to use Oliver to help out in their devious ways. In a scheme gone wrong, Oliver winds up tangled in a car’s electrical wires. Luckily for him, the occupant of the car, Jenny, is a kind young girl who takes him to live with her at her fancy apartment. Oliver is really okay with this new change in situation, and begins to enjoy the easy life.
All of Fagin’s dogs however have come to the conclusion that Oliver was kidnapped and that they must rescue him. With the help of Jenny’s pet poodle Georgette, who absolutely despises Oliver, the dogs are successful at taking him away from his new found home and back to their hideout.
Once back, Fagin observes that Oliver is in possession of a new collar. This collar states his address, which Fagin notices is in the upscale part of the city. This leads Fagin to determine a brilliant way to get the money he owes Sykes is put a ransom on Oliver. He writes the owners a note and waits for them to come.
Heartbroken at the loss of her new friend, Jenny receives the note and takes her piggy bank full of all of her life savings to the place Fagin told her.
However, once he sees that it’s just a little girl, Fagin softens up and “finds” the kitty for her, making Jenny elated. This infuriated Sykes though. He goes off on a rampage after he realizes that Fagin won’t be paying up, trying to run everyone over with his car. As this he is going bezerk, he runs his car into a train and dies. Oh well.
Now that Sykes is out of the picture, everyone can return to living the life they want! For Oliver that means going back to Jenny, and for the rest of the dogs that means going back to the streets. Yay? The end!
Well. Did I mention that Billy Joel is in this movie? Because AAAAHHHHBILLYJOELISINTHISMOVIE!!!!! I don’t care if I sound like a deranged fan girl, because that’s pretty much what I am!
Other than that fact, this movie is not that great. It’s kind of boring, and it doesn’t do justice to the book it was “based” on. Dickens was probably rolling around in his grave after this movie came out. The art isn’t very memorable, and overall neither is this movie.
But oh my goodness. Billy Joel. Eek!
Movie Watching Budd(y)(ies): My whole family this time! Including my dad for the first time this blog! Oh and Leslie was there too.
Best Song: “Why Should I Worry?” Um. It’s sung by BILLY JOEL! ‘Nuff said.
Best Part: BILLY JOEL. He was in this movie! Yay!
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