102 Dalmatians (DVD)

102 Dalmatians is the live action sequel to the live action version of Disney's classic animation and not an animaton itself...erm if that made sense. It is also one of those movies which really had no place being made other than to line the pockets of Disney who having turned over $130 million in box office sales alone in their previous outing were obviously falling over themselves to make another similar killing with an unimaginative sequel. I liked the original animated story, it was cute...the live action remake was ok in a slap-stick kind of way but doing a sequel is stretching the idea to far. Way too far. You see, 102 Dalmatians isn't ...  Read the complete review

Enormous fun for both children and tired adults, this film works on numerous levels: there is everything from car crashes and cake in the face to some very good (yet subtle) jokes for adults. Glenn Close is at her sublimely evil best as Cruella (`call me Ella') De Ville. After three years in Dr. Pavlov's Behaviour Modification Clinic she is cured of her desire for fur – even the puppy-skin fur she had so intensely desired. She even has all of her fur coats placed in the dungeon of the extraordinary castle she inhabits. But it wouldn't be a ‘Dalmatian' movie without the subterfuge and machinations of Cruella and you ...  Read the complete review

I personally enjoyed this new Disney offering. Although, that said, I think that it will definitely appeal more to children than it might to adults. Don't get me wrong, it's enjoyable and entertaining, but don't expect anything other than simplicity as far as the plot is concerned- which given the nature of the title is as it should be. The puppies are simply adorable and the handling/training of the dogs used is amazing. I think it would be fair to say that the whole thing is perhaps overdone- i.e- everything is exaggerated and if a point needs to be made it will be made with sledgehammer subtlety. And it is for exactly this reason that it will ...  Read the complete review

Pavlov, you will recall, conditioned dogs to salivate at the ringing of a bell. It is only fitting that his namesake, a modern scientist in "102 Dalmatians," is able to condition Cruella De Vil to feel affectionate when she sees a dog. As "102 Dalmatians" opens, the famous dognapper and fur enthusiast has been transformed into a dog lover by Dr. Pavlov's secret methods. Released on probation, Cruella (Glenn Close) is assigned to a parole officer named Chloe (Alice Evans), who is a Dalmatian lover and doesn't believe Cruella has really been reformed. But Cruella seems to have turned over a new leaf and even gets involved in the ...  Read the complete review

Puppies are cute, Especially dalmation puppies - soft, furry things with wet noses and black spots. But to hang a whole feature length movie around the cuteness of puppies is stretching a point way too far. 102 Dalmations fails to really build on the success of 100 dalmations. It's a sequel that hopes to do the same business by trying half as hard. It may have an extra dog, but a lot of other things feel scrimped on. Including the number of laughs, stars and gags. The plot and direction seem to rely far too much on the kindness of a puppy loving audience. Glenn Close is brilliant in her portrayal of Cruella De Vil, who this time has been freed ...  Read the complete review