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6 out of 6 people found the following review useful: Cruella DeVil is at it again..., 9 January 2003 Author: MISSMOOHERSELF from Elberon, NJ
I saw the original "101 Dalmatians" 3 times while en route from England back home to the USA and I loved it. So when I saw there was a new dalmatians movie, "102 Dalmatians," I was elated and when I saw it, I was NOT disappointed. In fact, I liked this version even better than the first. Glenn Close's performance as "Ella" who has been imprisoned for 3 years for dognapping but who received behavioral modification but reverts to "Cruella" when Big Ben's chimes go off, is delightfully dastardly. And the performance by Gerard Depardieu as the loathsome LaPelt is extraordinary. But the best performances, the ones who "take the cake" are those by the Dalmatians, real or created, especially Oddball, the spotless dalmatian puppy who is obsessed with "S-P-O-T-S." The scene where she goes berserk when she sees a black and white sweater on a puppet in a Punch & Judy show is hilarious. There were scenes in which it looked like the puppies were in real danger but the magic lies in the fact that, when you read the credits, you realize those scenes were created; no puppy was ever in danger. I recommend this movie highly and I should; I've seen it at least 7 times and I also have the video.
6 out of 8 people found the following review useful: An over-the-top performance by Glenn Close makes this even better than her last turn as Cruella., 12 December 2000 Author: Doug Phillips (janabro@aol.com) from Seattle, Washington
Enormous fun for both adults and children, 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 know that something will change her behaviour modification. And now she needs one extra puppy (hence 102 Dalmatians) to complete her nefarious scheme this time round.Ioan Gruffudd is instantly appealing as the hero of the film that runs the `Second Chance' dog shelter. Though he was in `Titanic' and in last year's television version (as Pip) of `Great Expectations' I didn't recognize him; well, he was ‘Fifth Officer Lowe' in `Titanic' and I didn't see `Great Expectations' so I am not terribly surprised.Gerard Depardieu does a delightful turn as the furrier-pawn of Cruella. He prances and postures in the most outlandish and outrageous of fur clothing you have ever seen – and does it well. His 'Wicked Witch of the West' homage is hilarious.Tim McInnerny is superb is Cruella's not-so-evil henchman – he was also ‘Alonzo,' Cruella's butler, in `101 Dalmatians' and you may also recognize him from all of the `Black Adder' Brit-Coms. He plays his usual bumbling, good-hearted, somewhat dim-witted character to great effect.Oscars for costuming are generally given for the entirety of the costuming in a film. This is unfortunate as the clothing worn by Glenn Close is amazing – it is incredibly detailed (note her handcuffs when she is being released from the Behaviour Modification Clinic) and worthy of such an over-the-top character. Her clothing alone deserves at least an Oscar nomination.Animation holds a special place in my heart – but comparing this film to the original animated film is like comparing apples to orangutans: it can't be done. Suffice it to say that `102 Dalmatians' is even better than the film version of `101 Dalmatians' that came out in 1996. There is a lot to like here: from the sight gags, the dialogue, and the costumes to the casting - it is a good film for the whole family.
9 out of 14 people found the following review useful: 102 thumbs up, 11 March 2004 Author: Jack "Rainman" Oates
I knew "102 Dalmatians" would become one of my favorite films as soon as it started because it was filled with dogs and was clear plot was very important to those involved. My love for dogs attracted me and my instincts were not as I wasn't disappointed in the result of this movie."102 Dalmatians" was simply one of the smartest and funniest films I have seen. One thing that I found interesting was the director's drive and motivation to complete the project without quiting. Glenn Close has done another incredible job portraying Cruella De Ville. Her performance was so incredible that she made me angry everytime she did something evil to one of the dalmatians; when this happens, you know you have a good actress on your hands. Kudos to newcomers Ioan Grufford and Alice Evans as they pull off performances, which make them look like veterans. There performances were so great I could mistake them for naturals. These two have a lot to offer and are here to stay. I'm so glad I saw this film because it allowed me to forget the outside world and let me relax with my popcorn and soda pop. "102 Dalmatians" is such a delightfully light-hearted comedy that will warm your hearts and spur you into action at the same time.
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Sure, it's inferior to the first, but lets not get too harsh., 8 May 2007 Author: vip_ebriega from Philippines
My take: Not as good as the first, but decent family fun nonetheless.Yes we know, it's kid's stuff compared to the original, which is an enjoyable film, no less. This one follows where the original left off. Cruella "Ella" DeVille is kept in prison, and a group of scientist have altered her mind, turning her from evil to a good. Sadly, when the Big Ben rings its chimes, compassionate little Ella turns back to evil Cruella, with plots to capture more puppies for her "Poppy Coat" and for vengeance.Of course, this one adds one more puppy to the 101 others. Sadly only one of the puppies from the first makes it here (of course, he's full-grown now), it's none other than Dipstick. Besides the dog, Cruella and her stuttering butler Alonzo (Tim McInnerny), no other character from the first film returns for this sequel. The plot, if you removed some elements, is basically similar to the first film. Making this a formulaic sequel, but let's not get to harsh in reviewing this. You got to admit it still has some entertainment value, despite the flaws. The puppies are cute, as always, and some of the laughs are well enjoyable for the kiddies.So overall, not a brilliant flick, but a fun one for the family.Rating: *** out of 5.
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful: One more pup, and we've got twice the fun!!!!!, 7 September 2006 Author: Seth Nelson from (Near) D/FW Airport, Texas, USA
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
In 1996's "101 Dalmatians," Cruella De Vil was arrested by the London Metropolitain Police (God bless them) for attempting to steal and murder 101 puppies - dalmatians. All covered in mud and hay, she spent the next 4 years in the "tin can." Now, 4 years later, she, unfortunately, was released from the jail. I say, that's about 28 years - in dog years!!!!!So, in 2000, Disney decided to release a sequel to the successful live-action version of the classic film and it is hereby dubbed "102 Dalmatians." In it, there is a 102nd dalmatian added to the family (Oddball is the name, I think; I should know this since this was just shown on TV recently), and the puppy had no spots!!!!! Also, while Cruella (again played by Glenn Close) has escaped again, she wanted a bigger, better coat - made once again out of the puppies!!!!!I especially liked the theme song - I'm sure everybody loves the "Atomic Dog" song from the 70s or so. And now, we hear a bit of it in this movie!!!!!"102 Dalmatians" is such a great film that I keep on wondering - WHEN WILL THERE BE A "103 DALMATIANS?????" LOL10 stars
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Only worth seeing for the cute puppies!, 30 September 2001 Author: jellyneckr
In this sequel to the 1996 hit, Cruella De Vil [Glenn Close] once again tries to capture the puppies and make a coat out of them with help from a fur designer. While more enjoyable and cute than the lame 1996 original, the movie is also much scarier. A lot of parents in the audience took their crying kids out during scenes when the puppies were in peril. It would have been better off with a PG rating.
5 out of 8 people found the following review useful: More of those cute little puppies..., 20 July 2001 Author: Chris Brown (chrisbrown6453@hotmail.com) from Fresno, Ca. USA
Unlike its predecessor, which was a live action version of the animated 101 Dalmatians, this version is completely new and original. However, the premise is as old as they get: boy finds girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl again, and they all live happily ever after. Of course, I'm not giving anything away here because the movie is not about the humans; it's about the dogs and one bird. And you can't leave out the bird. The bird is the real star of the movie. His name is Waddlesworth, and he is a MacCaw that does more than just talk -- he converses. The voice is that of Eric Idle (of Monty Python fame). Waddlesworth thinks he's a dog and cannot fly and is the comic relief for the movie, adding asides for our enjoyment.This film is better than 101 Dalmatians, which in its own right was very good, and both children and adults will enjoy it. It is pure entertainment. My teenager and six-year-old both liked it and said Waddlesworth was their favorite character. This is typical Disney entertainment: Wholesome with just enough adult humor for mom and dad, excitement for the teenagers, and tenderness for the younger ones. Besides, who doesn't like a little puppy? This movie has 102 of them!
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Well, the puppies were cute..., 27 November 2000 Author: jennifer-99 from Toronto, Ontario
I decided that this was going to be the first movie that I took my young daughter to see. Seeing as how she is a dog lover and is riveted to the TV screen every time she sees a commercial or TV show with a puppy, I figured how could I go wrong?I was sadly disappointed. I found that the movie tried too hard to be dark and sinister....Cruella got way too much screen time and the puppies, too little. The movie just wasn't much fun. Amazingly, my daughter got an hour or so of entertainment from this film, and then got horribly bored. We ended up leaving before the movie was finished, so I'm not even sure how it ended.The movie was cute, but it ran way too long for the younger set who have a reduced attention span. More time should have been devoted to the puppies and their antics, and less to Cruella and her scheming. I don't believe I was the only one who felt this way....as my daughter and I were leaving the theatre, I noticed two youngsters fast asleep. Not a good testimonial for a children's film.Save this one for a video rental so your kids can fast forward through the boring bits before they, too, fall fast asleep.
4 out of 7 people found the following review useful: Character Engineering, 9 November 2003 Author: tedg (tedg@FilmsFolded.com) from Virginia Beach
Disney has the world's most advanced character lab. That's what these kinds of movies depend on. What we see are the broad strokes, but what's more interesting are all the little touches that are added based on the science of discovery through tests.It all revolves around the notion of the wheels of justice. So the mechanical ticks of the character mesh with the John Hughes-like mechanical contraption she gets caught up in at the end. And that mirrors the mechanical way that all this is derived and the mechanical reaction we unwittingly intend for our children to have when watching.Wish he would have used Molly Ringwald.Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.
Glenn Close tries to keep this together, but barely succeeds., 13 October 2009 Author: Sirus_the_Virus from United States
Glenn Close returns as that bitch Cruella Devile in 102 Dalmations. Let me just say that this movie was kind of disappointing. Not that the original was that good, but this movie is funny at times, stupid at times, and odd at times.This time, Cruelle has just gotten out of prison. Her parole officer Chloe(Alice Evans) isn't quite convinced that she is sane. She was put in jail because she tried to murder dogs. Chloe, who is the main character, is a dog lover. So Cruella once again tries to get those damn dogs.The problem that I had with the last one is that the animals fight back. They do also in this film. 102 Dalmations, like the last one, would've been crap without Glenn Close. I don't believe that these dogs would kick Glenn Close's ass. If you have seen the show damages, then you know what I am talking about. I give 102 Dalmations a pass because it's a silly sequel. But Glenn Close may make the movie for you. She did for me.102 Dalmations:**1/2 out of ****
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