THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER
A film review by Chris Palmer
Copyright 1990 Chris Palmer
I went to see THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER this weekend and was totally impressed by how wonderful the animation was. In characterization and plot tension, it wasn't up to the standards of THE LITTLE MERMAID, but it was very funny and quite exciting.
This movie was a showcase of almost every type of animation possible. Extensive use of multi-plane cameras, roto-scoping (Cody's mother and the rangers), and, best of all, some amazing computer animation. By creating computer models of vehicles, buildings, and backgrounds, the animators were allowed a greater degree of freedom. With the exception of the opening scenes of Ayer's Rock, the message-sent-around the world, and the New York flying scenes, all of the computer animation was rotoscoped by the animators so there was no discontinuity between the hand-drawn cels and the computer aided cells. All you see is amazingly complex, full-perspective motion. McLeach's vehicle has to be seen to be believed. Some computer animation was also present in the short feature, "The Prince and the Pauper," notably the snow (quite nice) and several shots of the King's wagon.
I'm sorry if this has been a strictly technical review so far. This is a very good children's movie, but I think anyone should enjoy it. However, if you are cynical or find too many faults in the plot, you can always fall back on looking at the pretty pictures.
Now, on to the movie itself...
THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER is a sequel to THE RESCUERS (Duh). It is about a young Australian boy named Cody who is kidnapped by the evil poacher, McLeach, who wants him to reveal where the nest of the giant eagle is located. Through the R.A.S. (Rescuers Aid Society) network, Cody's plight is relayed to New York and Bianca (Zsa Zsa Gabor) and Bernard (Bob Newhart) are chosen to fly to Australia to rescue him. Air travel is courtesy of Wilbur (John Candy) an albatross (brother to Orville of the first film). Once in Australia, there are aided by Jack?John? (drat) (voice by Tristan Rogers), a cross between Crocodile Dundee and Indiana Jones. Along the way, they encounter many different Australian animals, some animal-like and some characterized.
High Points:
o The eagle, the flying scene brought tears to my eyes.
o McLeach, his pet lizard, and his vehicle.
o The animation in general (see above)
o The scenery. The Australian locations were a welcome relief
from generic cartoon locations. It gave the film a much
stronger sense of reality.
Low Points:
o Bianca and Bernard were OK, but they were probably the most
boring characters in the film.
o I liked the ending, but my nephew and several other children
in the audience were left hanging a bit (no spoilers, but the
movie doesn't show Cody's reunion with his mother or the
release of some of McLeach's animals).
Rating (1..10):
THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER - 9
"The Prince and the Pauper" - 10
--
Christopher M. Palmer
Intergraph Corporation
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