Although, The Aristocats is perhaps too laid back for its own good, it still makes for a charming and gratifying viewing experience. Children will love it, and, hey, adults might find it not too shabby, as well, and will be able to enjoy it alongside their kids. Obviously, this doesn't exactly make it a Disney masterpiece, but it is saying something when a movie full of colorful characters and light-hearted fun can manage to not make a parent want to tear their eyes out.

However, I think that all its lightness is the same thing that just makes it so conventional. Even for all the fun that it does offer, it's not one of Disney's more captivating films.

There are some great scenes in this film and the characters are engaging, even if the story development is very minimal. Some characters are unneeded, but nice to have around. The two geese, Abigail and Amelia, and their drunken uncle, Waldo(we need more drunk ducks in animated films, nowadays) are a hoot and give the film some of its best moments. And who didn't love Madame Bonfamille's attorney, Georges? "Who do you want me to sue?", is probably my favorite line. Humour is a bit excessive in this film, which makes it hard for me to get into it, at times. The Edgar dog chasing scenes, in particular, were much too over-the-top silly for my tastes.

The animation isn't that much to complain about, in my opinion. It is still top-notch Disney animation, despite having a scratchy look to it. Madame's hair made me want to whip out my comb, but all of the cats' animation made up for it by being much more cleaner.

Not up to the standards of some of the better Disney movies, like "Bambi"(1942) or "Lady and the Tramp"(1955), but not every film is destined to be a classic. This is good clean fun, and it definitely doesn't deserve its bad reputation. Who doesn't remember "Everybody Wants to be a Cat?" Or its snazzy animated sequence? Deserves at least one look.

It seems that the Walt Disney Studios have always had a thing with films focused on talking animals. The Aristocats, despite having a very predictable plot and storyline, is a fun film that will make you watch it again and again.

(I just got the chance to rewatch it after buying the Special Edition DVD . . . and I noticed that I hadn't reviewed it. **Possible Spoilers . . . but I guess we all know the storyline by now, right?**)

Apparently in 1910 Paris, France, an aging woman - known simply as Madame by most - adores her lovely family of cats: the beautiful female Duchess and her three kittens, Marie, Toulouse, and Berlioz. Having no other relatives and being as old as she is, Madame plans for her beloved felines to inherit her estate and wealth once she passes on.

However, there always has to be someone who is against the whole thing out of greed and power. Edgar, the Madame's faithful butler, learns of this change to the plans and knows that if the cats are gone, he'll be the sole inheritor of her estate. Underneath the cover of night, he drives the sleeping cats - drugged to sleep via milk and a very thought-out plan - off to the countryside, thinking that nothing could go wrong.

Of course, something goes wrong -- the cats are left behind as he putts back to Paris, and the small family awakens in shock that they are no longer at home with their Madame. But luckily, a stray tom named Thomas O' Malley shows up, instantly falling for Duchess' natural beauty and in the end, he agrees to help them get back home to Paris.

But what awaits them once they return home and what adventures will they run into?

The Aristocats reminds me of a cat version of another Disney classic, Lady and the Tramp, with the whole thing of a fancy pet and a stray helping each other and such. However, the idea of rich cats being the targets of revenge is rather interesting . . . and Edgar makes an enjoyable villain that you could relate to - his expressions and movements are just hilarious, sometimes one may forget that he is a bad guy. The kittens are easily adorable with their own individual personalities and talents, but the stars of the show are Duchess and O' Malley with their dialogue to the other characters that they meet (especially since it's Phil Harris and Eva Gabor . . . such perfect casting!). Some of the other minor characters - like the geese (Abigail and Amelia) and the dogs (Napoleon and Lafeyette) - are quite filler, but the ones that truly make the movie are Scat Cat and his band of jazzy cats. Although I agree that the fact that the song "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat", the jazzy feel of the song was more 1960s America than 1910s France . . . but the different cats really add a sense of diversity to the film and perk it back up with Duchess and her kittens making their way home. It's a fun, catchy song to listen to, despite the awkwardness of it all.

The film moves pretty quickly, with the songs, comedy and sheer emotion that each of the characters feel as the cats try to return home. The finale is just enjoyable to watch, just as the beginning theme, "The Aristocats," sets the theme and the French feel of the tale. The background music works very well and sets the moods for each scene, especially the music during the night-countryside and the traveling theme for the geese. The animation is quite sketchy, and during the dancing scene with Scat Cat and his gang, some animation was recycled from previous films (like "Robin Hood" and "The Jungle Book"), but to me, it feels awkward but still seems to work.

However, there was one thing that made me think: in one scene, Duchess and O' Malley were asked by Amelia and Abigail about whether they were husband and wife, in which he replied that they weren't. The geese muttered something to themselves about this being rather "scandalous" and easily noticed that the tomcat could be a shifty male that would only be trouble. I noticed this as I watched the movie once I bought the Special Edition, and I guess it was the studio's way to add a bit of maturity to the story, so that grown-ups could find some sort of humor and reality to it. Actually, when you think about it, Duchess had kittens with some unknown male cat, so it really makes you wonder about that . . . possible wedlock or something? - - - - it's just a grown-up thing, I suppose . . . kind of like the stuff in Lady and the Tramp with the two of them together and the morning after. That was a more mysterious way to explain things, while the Aristocats just spills it out from about halfway through the film. You could say this was a sign of the change that was going on in the Walt Disney Studios at the time . . . they were more open with cats and more distreet with dogs.

But I digress . . .

In the end, this is an enjoyable film, perfect for both children and adults alike. Despite the predictability of the plot and the awkward jazz in 1910 France, you'll fall in love with these cute cats. However, I just can't seem to give it a perfect rating . . . it's not a masterpiece, but it's rather fun and up-lifting. You see how different people and animals can be when they interact with each other, while also understanding the importance of family - even when it is simply a woman and her cats.

My Rating - 3 stars

After seeing The Aristocats: Special Edition in a two pack with The Fox in the Hound, I decided to buy it since both of these films were childhood favourites.

The Aristocats is a classic, definately. It might not be a four-star classic, but it is a fun film and makes a good evening's entertainment. It is somewhat a light refreshment from the darker, more serious Disney classics. The Aristocats tries to be a light-hearted musical comedy, and I think it just about succeeds.

The storyline doesn't really make much sense and I don't think the plot is particulary strong, but it is certainly not weak. The animation and backgrounds are a bit scratchy in places, typical of Disney's 70s films, but it does have a rustic, old fashioned charm about it.

The Aristocats strongest points are the characters, the music and the humour.
The music is very memorable - try getting 'Everybody Wants To Be A Cat' out your head in a hurry! The songs are written by the Sherman Brothers, who also did the music for The Jungle Book. There was one song called 'She Never Felt Alone' that was going to be in the film, but sadly didn't make it into the final feature. It is a shame, because I think it would have fit in very well.

The characters are unforgettable. Thomas O'Malley is voiced by Phil Harris, and is basically Baloo in a feline form. Eva Gabor gives Duchess this warm and maternal feel and the kitten's voices actually sound like children, and not an actor imitating the voice of a child. The secondary characters are here by the dozen and yet you still end up understanding their personalities. Edgar, the 'villainous' butler plays a similar role to Cruella De Vil, but he's more comical than scary, often ending up in funny situations. Even though he's the bad guy, he's still lovable all the same.

The two British geese - Abigail and Amelia really had me cracking up, along with their crazy (and drunk) uncle. I also like the dogs, who tend to argue over who is 'the leader.' I could go on, but I won't spoil it. But I can tell you, The Aristocats is funny and will entertain everyone without having to resort to rudimentary toilet humour.

The bottom line - The Aristocats might not be Disney's crowning achievement, or even their strongest film from the 70s (that award is a tie between The Rescuers and The Many Adventures of Whinnie the Pooh). But it is an enjoyable romp and is sure to entertain. If you are looking for a dazzling work of art, you might be better off watching Bambi. But if you want a fun night in, The Aristocats is the way to go. It is a charming and lovable film and it's impossible to dislike. Enjoy!

(And besides, it's good to have a film where cats aren't seen as the villains).

this is one of the best disney films its really funny and its just as good as walt disneys movies the characters are very well done and the scences with the butler were excellant and the main characters like the mother cat ;i cant spell her name; was my favourite. in short if you like disney movies watch this one its of the greats.

Baisically “The Aristocats” consists of a simple, but non-sensical plot, with a cast of interesting, but often-random characters. You also have great musical numbers, which are fairly out of place.

"The Aristocats" seems to have a plot that is derivative of "101 Dalmatians." Simply, a family of cats is kidnapped, and lost in the countryside, and attempting to make their way back home, with help of a diverse cast of characters. I think this is one of Disney's lazier pieces.

As for the characters, I found the kittens extremely annoying. This annoyance was mainly provided by the voice-actors. All the other characters are likeable, but the two dogs, Napoleon and Lafayette remain very dear to my heart. Their antics are hysterical.

The animation is dreary, but nonetheless I like it. Like all Disney films it is extremely detailed, and the character animation is flawless.

Lastly, my favorite part in the whole movie is the “Everybody wants to be a Cat” scene. This scene is just a plethora of great animation and music.

“The Aristocats” is a decent movie, but not Disney's best.

A very enjoyable film. It's not one of Disney's greats, but it has lovable characters and a semi-interesting story. I think one of the main reasons I've always enjoyed this movie is because the cats in it actually are the heros and not just stupid bad guys that get outwitted by mice.

The story, although not very original, is entertaining. Disney chose an excellent cast for this film. Every person fit the character they portrayed perfectly. The songs, although they didn't really match the time period the movie took place in, were pretty good.

The only thing that knocks this film down a bit is the fact that it seems like a copycat of 101 Dalmatians. Many scenes you can see where it's almost like they copied the exact pose and actions of characters from Dalmatians. I don't know if this was intentional so as to get a 101 Dalmatians feel to the movie or if there was just a lack of creativity at the time.
The animation really isn't as good as it could have been. It looks like it's a lot older than it really is. Again I think it could have been they were going for the Dalmatians look, or they just wanted a "sketchy" feel. I don't mind it, it just seems a bit odd.

Characters were, for the most part, good. Only one character got on my nerves, and that was the mouse. I don't know why, but he did. I loved the two dogs and O'Malley. Dutchess and the kittens were also very well done and amazingly none of the other characters got annoying.

Overall it's a pretty good movie and if you haven't seen it, try giving it a rent somtime. :)

I thought this was a hilarious film! I watch it when I need to laugh. George Lindsey and Pat Buttram as the two dogs are perfect. The lawyer, whatever his name is, is great. He seems to really like the song, "Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay." It's a great film, and while it did have some problems, it was all in all a very great film and is on my top ten list of animated films

Before I talk about the Aristocats, Does anybody remember the scene in Mary Poppins at the mirror. At the end of the song, Mary Poppins says to her mirrored image "Cheeky". Like the Aristocats, Mary Poppins is set in 1910's Europe. However, if you seen the Beatles Hard Days Night, John Lennon is continuously saying "Cheeky". This must have been a cool thing to say in 1964, which was the year Mary Poppins was released. Now in Aristocats, there is a cat that looks like a hippy. Again Hippies were popular in 1970 when the Aristocats was released. In my opinion, Disney shouldn't put dated references in to the films. It ruins the illusion and makes a lame attempt to connect to the current events of the year. What are we going to see in future Disney films, an animated character that does Gangta rap!!!...................Chocks

I have to struggle to be critical about ths one, since I saw it at the cinema when it was released, and when I was actually part of its target audience (i.e. I was about 7). Of course, I loved it.

It must have been 25 years before I watched it again on video, and I was surprised to find that it didn't disappoint as much as I'd expected.

Certainly it doesn't belong with the elite Disney movies, but it's not that awful, either. Eva Gabor is perfect as Duchess. Without her there's no doubt the film would have been a pretty flat affair, since nothing else was really firing on all cylinders.

I didn't find the story incoherent (certainly not by comparison with something like Titan A..E) and if Thomas's self-assured posturing was a bit annoying as an adult, he was still a decent character. I can live with the animation, too. I don't seem to have the revulsion for Disney's sketchier 60's and 70's backdrops that many do.

One criticism: the basic plot seems just a bit too derivitive of '101 Dalmatians', whch was only ten years old at the time. And one personal gripe: I found the rich lady owner vs the evil, nasty butler thing really quite annoying as an adult. Here is a guy who holds a servile position, putting up with an eccentric rich old woman, who snaps when he finds out that she's going to leave her fortune to her pampered cats. To be blunt, can you blame him? When he gets shipped off in a box at the end, to me the message was "That'll teach the working class their place."

That might be a slight flaw with this film's characterisations. It's easier to be sympathetic towards an underdog than an aristocrat/cat. Fortunately Duchess is so likeable, the kittens are actually not annoying, which is pretty remarkable, and tey get tossed into difficult situations which are not their fault, so for most of the movie I can get over the class motif which lurks below the surface.

Apart from that minor annoyance, I still found Aristocats to be enjoyable as an adult, though it's not one that I own.

One thing really got me on my 90's viewing though: that 'Everybody Wants to be a Cat" scene has to be one of the most bizarre sequences in any Disney movie. Think about it. First of all, the thing is set in Paris in the 20's. Then you have a bunch of cats who are modelled after 1950's beatniks, and in this scene they perform a song in front of a late 60's Jefferson Airplane style psychadelic lightshow. What the hell is that about? Maybe if they do a remake they can introduce some early 90's grunge rock guitarists from Seattle who wear flannel shirts.

It struggled slightly to make 3 stars, but I don't think it quite deserves its poor reputation.

I remember utterly loving this movie when I was a very little kid. Nowadays it seems like little more than a black mark in Disney's lineup to most people, probably even moreso than The Black Cauldron. Even before the modern era came about with The Little Mermaid, there were always Disney movies you could find that were done much better in many areas. However, The Aristocats seems to be more comedy oriented than most Disney movies and also seems to be better suited for the really younger set than most Disney movies. There are almost no scary moments so really protective parents can pick this one up without having to worry about moments too intense for their little ones. The Aristocats also doesn't threaten to bury kids in Saturday morning style sugar, even if it is a laid back movie.

Two things save this movie from being a total loss. One is the outstanding characterization, especially the uncanny Eva Gabor as Duchess, who's refined and genteel yet still somehow sensuous. The kittens are adorable, but it's Marie that steals the show. And the geese are a laugh riot. And of course Phil Harris puts his heart into every character he voices, and Thomas O'Malley in this movie is no exception. The other is the music. Well okay so the days of the masterfully crafted songs and instrumentation were long gone by the time this movie came out, and they wouldn't reappear again for quite some time, but The Aristocats has a few good, well placed songs. I especially love "Ev'rybody Wants to be a Cat", which is just a generally fun sequence all around.

However, the animation of this movie is dreary, even by the standards of this era. Long gone were smooth flows in character animation and wonderfully detailed backgrounds seen in movies like Lady and the Tramp or Cinderella. And just years later both Robin Hood and The Rescuers would surpass this movie in terms of character animation and truly outstanding, old school style animation would reappear in The Fox and the Hound.

For most Disney fans, The Aristocats is a pass. It's a bit laid back and undramatic, and most Disney fans want something that will grip them. As such, this movie will never become a classic. However it is a bit of a funny movie, and it has a certain charm in how it just lets the characters do their own thing instead of having to work them into formula items that other Disney movies are known for.