101 Dalmatians

Genre : DVD ( DVD )
Release : 2008/09/16
Price : $26.99

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It's hard to know who thought it would be a good idea to make a live-action version of Disney's animated classic. The one bright notion anyone had was casting Glenn Close as Disney über-villainess Cruella de Vil; her flashing eyes and angular features are a perfect match and do credit to what is one of the most indelible animated characters Disney has ever created. The story remains essentially the same, focusing on Cruella's plot to kidnap the puppies of a young married couple (Jeff Daniels and Jolie Richardson) and make them into a coat. But the dreaded John Hughes, who wrote this script, fills it with sadistic slapstick and far too few genuine laughs. The human actors work hard, but to little avail; thankfully, there's a passel of puppies to regularly steal scenes when the going gets dreary--although there are only so many laughs to be had from inappropriate dog puddles. --Marshall Fine

Fashion designer Anita and computer-game writer Roger meet, fall in love and marry along with their dalmatians Perdita and Pongo. But the proud dogs' puppies are kidnapped by Anita's boss Cruella De Vil, who is stealing young dalmatians to make the coat she has set her heart on. Enlisting the help of the British animal kingdom, Pongo and Perdita set out to find and rescue all ninety-nine pups from their fearsome captors, Jasper and Horace. "101 Dalmatians" is perfectly good clean children entertainment. It's has a fun feeling and atmosphere and some great characters. Glenn Close is perfectly cast as über-villain Cruella De Vil and portrays a highly memorable character. She truly is the highlight of the movie and steals the show. If you liked the cartoon as a kid, you'll love this version as well. Sit down with your family and enjoy this movie.

love, love this movie, glenn close is excellent at being the villian. cute, funny and heart warming.

Glenn Close is really a good sport in the role of Carella De Ville. She was awesome!

I received the DVD very quickly but it won't play a couple of chapters and it skips some. I emailed the company for help with either returning it or getting a replacement but unless my internet service blocked their reply, I didn't receive one. Wish I could get a replacement, though.

There are certain roles that actresses are born to play and Glenn Close was born to portray Cruella DeVille in "101 Dalmatians". Sure the puppies are adorable little creatures and Jeff Daniels and Joely Richardson are a cute-looking couple, but Glenn is magnificent as the evil Cruella who wants the puppies destroyed to make a coat. Based on the animated Disney feature of the same name from 1961, Glenn must have studied the cartoon characterization of Cruella closely because everything from her voice patterns to her movements and eye gestures are identical to the original, and that was animation! A great film for the entire family, both young and old, I never get tired of watching this classic live-action feature. What the message of the film shows is that if your an evil person only looking out for yourself there are definite consequences; the villin always gets it in the end. Hugh Laurie(from TV's "House" fame) has a small supporting role playing one of the puppy thieves working for Cruella. This film has grossed so far over $300,000,000 at the world-wide boxoffice. A sequel entitled "102 Dalmatians", also starring Close, was released, but wasn't as successful.