102 DALMATIANS
Rated G - Running Time: 1:41 - Released 11/22/00
Whether it's dogs, rats, grinches, or even llamas, holiday children's
movies represent another kind of animal for the industry: huge
bucks. Taking the kids to a half dozen movies in a month has become
a tradition of the season for most moms and dads, whether it's
to provide the other parent with some private shopping time or
just to get in out of the cold, and Hollywood doesn't mind this
a bit. There are always different levels of quality in these G-
and PG-rated releases, however; some films cry out for the whole
family's participation, while others are what I'd call "babysitter
movies." Kevin Lima's 102 Dalmatians, the sequel to
the remake of the classic animated Disney cartoon about a swarm
of spotted pooches, falls squarely into the latter category. It's
not that the film is bad — it's cute, it serves its purpose...but
it's hardly spectacular. Perhaps the phrase "sequel to the
remake" has something to do with it: the idea is getting
tired, and Lima's workmanlike presentation reflects this. On the
other hand, the antics of 100 black and white spotted puppies
are sure to please the kiddies, and Glenn Close's high-energy
return to her signature role of Cruella DeVil will likely amuse
their older companions.
Having spent three years in the London slammer for her canicidal
exploits in 1996's 101 Dalmatians, plus undergoing the
revolutionary treatment of psychologist Dr. Pavlov, Cruella emerges
a changed woman. Still sporting a strictly black and white hair
and clothing style, she claims not to have a harmful bone in her
body, especially regarding doggies. In order to prove her newfound
PETA-esque sensibilities, she buys out the struggling 2nd Chance
animal shelter, rescuing it and its owner Kevin (Ioan Gruffudd)
from bankruptcy. She spends millions on the place and launches
a huge, multimedia advertising campaign. However, it seems that
Pavlov's experimental treatment can be reversed by the sound of
Big Ben tolling, and as soon as Cruella hears it, she's back to
her old ways, plotting to find 102 black-and-white dotty dogs
with which to make the most beautiful fur coat ever. She enlists
the help of her former rival, renowned furrier Jean Pierre Le
Pelt (Gérard Depardieu), although it is her stuttering
butler Alonzo (Tim McInnerny) who does all the dirty work.
Although the trusting Kevin has no reason to doubt his wealthy
savior and co-worker, probation officer Cloe Simon (Alice Evans)
is not so sure Cruella has changed her ways, and she has reason
to be especially concerned, herself owning a pair of Dalmatians
with a new litter of pups. Sure enough, Cruella has her eye on
those dogs most of all, except for one named Oddball who lacks
spots. And it is Oddball, aided by several other shelter dogs
and a parrot who thinks he's a rottweiler (voiced by Eric Idle),
who is instrumental in foiling Cruella's plan.
102 Dalmatians's script is by Kristen Buckley and Brian Regan, with assistance from Bob Tzudiker and Noni White, based on the original novel characters created by the late Dodie Smith. Like so much of Disney's live-action output, it relies heavily on formula and established character stereotypes, and it works in a very tried-and-true (read: boring) sort of way. Glenn Close steals the show, of course, to the point of eclipsing the film's dull-as-dishwater human protagonists; the dogs are cute, and there are some interesting visuals (such as one scene which features the whole of London covered in spots), but from the standpoint of originality, this film's got nothing to save the Mouse House from its already, um . . . spotty track record. ***½