Friday Movie Review - The Aristocats

Since Valentine's Day is drawing near, I thought I would start reviewing more romantic and kitty-oriented movies. Today I am reviewing the Disney Classic, "The Aristocats." I have seen several of my fellow kitties list this as their favorite movie on their blog profiles, so I am sure this is already a favorite.

The Aristocats (1970)

Director: Wolfgang Reitherman

Writers: Ken Anderson, Larry Clemmons, et. al

This is a wonderful movie! Not only is the movie about kitties, it also features more interesting creatures, such as a mousie, a horsie, doggies, and goosies! There is humor, romance, and a great musical score. And not only does it have all this, it has a great message for all the stray kitties out there: a loving home is best!

The story takes place in Paris, France . . . the city that is widely known as "The City of Love." Duchess, a regal white ladycat, lives with her three artisitically talented kittens: Berlioz, Toulouse, and Marie. A lovely aristocratic bean lady has been graciously adopted by them, and they all share a mansion together, with their very own butler. However, the bean lady makes a new will, leaving all of her possessions to her kitties, and the butler gets jealous and greedy! He drugs Duchess and her kits and dumps them far out into the French countryside.

Once you recover from the butler's perfidy, you meet the true hero of the story: Abraham DeLacey Giuseppe Casey Thomas O'Malley . . . . O'Malley the Alley Cat! Thomas O'Malley is a handsome ginger stray, and he comes to Duchess' and the kits' rescue, escorting them back to their home in Paris. Along the way they have many adventures, and meet many interesting animals, such as Abigail and Amelia Gabble, and their Uncle Waldo . . . all geese! Abigail and Amelia are hysterically funny when they decide that Thomas O'Malley needs swimming lessons . . . and when they teach the kitties how to waddle! The humor in this film is sure to please the kits in the family.

As you may have guessed, romance soon blossoms between Thomas and Duchess. However, there is also tension as Duchess is desperate to get back home to her ladybean, and Thomas does not understand how Duchess can have such a strong bond with a human. However, he knows that living with the lady is what makes Duchess happy, so he continues to escort her home, even knowing that since he is a stray, that will be the last he sees of Duchess and her adorable kittens. Before the final stretch home, Thomas introduces Duchess and the kittens to his ragtag group of kitty friends, and a new musical genre: Jazz! Who can forget the incredible talent of Scat Cat?

Once he gets them home, more trouble ensues with the butler and Thomas makes one last and valiant attempt at heroism, along with Roquefort, a brave mousie, and Frou Frou, the determined horsie heroine. Finally Thomas sees how Duchess can be so fond of a human, and he becomes a contented housecat along with her and the kittens. . . happily ever after!

I give this picture two paws up and an extra loud purr . . . it is funny, romantic, and has a great soundtrack! I will leave you today with the words of wisdom Thomas and Scat Cat shared with us in their song, "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat."

Everybody wants to be a cat,

Because a cat's the only cat

Who knows where it's at.

Everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat,

'Cause everything else is obsolete.