10A - The Michigan Daily - Monday, April 1, 1996 Oliver and his friends are very happy to be back on the big screen after eight years. Old 'Oliver' offers no new twin By Ryan Posly Daily Arts Writer When "The Little Mermaid" came out in a new era for Disney's animated features, I such money-makers as "Beauty and the B "The Lion King" and last summer's "Poca did these films all become enormous block redefined the meaning of a Disney anim sleek new animation techniques and the k characters that kids and parents alike car new breed of summer 'toons have come a And apparently to show us just how far the past eight years, Disney has re-release pany," one of their most obscure animated' to see why it became Disney's most successful animated feature at the time of its release in 1988: It signaled Disney's first tentative steps toward computer ani- mation and includes some truly exciting musical numbers. But when viewed in the context of today's vastly superior technology, the animation looks flat. Moreover, the story is flat. Based on Dickens' "Oliver Twist," the film tells the story of Oliver (Joey Lawrence), a helpless, orphaned kitten in New York City. This fact is important, since the film reminds you again and again where it'staking place, apparently because New York is such a scary town. But don't fear, I real reason for the attention to location is ac the city. "Oliver & Company" does a good jo the original character names from Dick that's about the only real similarity. T rehashed Disney: Oliver finds a home rough, weary dogs led by the street-smz Joel). Their master, Fagin (Dom DeL likable guy who owes money to Sykes (F random bad guy. It's never clear exactly, judging by his so-slick-it's-ugly black( ows he is always lurking in, it becomes sort of evil personified. Oliver gets taken in by a lonely little ric Fifth Avenue, and the two become fast "fri the plot shifts into high gear. Dodger and h "rescue" Oliver from what most pets would consider heaven; in the process, they discover a way to get the money Fagin 11989, it launched needs: They'll kidnap Oliver and ask for ransom from the t was followed by little rich girl. east," "Aladdin,". Of course, everything works out in the end. In contrast to hontas." Not only the novel's characters, the film's Fagin, Dodger and the gang kbusters, they also are not bad guys; they're just trying to survive. But the fili ated movie. With does cleverly indicate that Fagin is not necessarily a symp- ind of stories and thetic character either. The obvious bad guy, Sykes is n enjoy, Disney's defeated, and we're left with that happy feeling that accor long way. panies the rolling credits of all Disney movies. they have come in The vocal talent behind the characters in "Oliver & Con- d "Oliver & Coin- pany" thankfully breathes a great deal of life into the stldry features. It is easy Joey Lawrence of "Blossom" fame ("Whoa!") was consider- ably younger eight years ago, and .his REVIEW voice is almost totally unrecognizable But he suits a kitten just fine. Bill"Joel Oliver & provides a thick N'ew York accebtfer ompan Dodger, sounding more like Ton}Wnz1 a at times than like himself. Joel is eair- prisingly good actor, though,