 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
101 Dalmatians (Live Action)
- Review Date: August 30, 2006
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2000
Common Sense Media says
All-ages spotted canine caper updates classic.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie contains mild, slap-sticky humor as well as a theme of skinning animals for their fur.
What's the story?
Disney's updated movie version of 101 DALMATIANS stays true to their 1961 animated classic with some minor changes, most noticeably of which are the careers of the three main human characters. Instead of being a lyricist, Roger (Jeff Daniels) makes video games and Anita (Joely Richardson) is a clothing designer for nasty Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close), a fashion maven who specializes in exotic furs.Roger and Anita are lonely singles before they are brought together by the antics of their dalmatians -- Pongo belongs to Roger and Perdita belongs to Anita -- and it isn't long before the human couple is married and the spotted couple has a litter of 15 pups. Once Cruella gets it in her mind to have her own dalmatian fur coat, the story kicks into gear and the familiar mayhem ensues. When Cruella isn't able to buy the puppies from Roger and Anita, she hires goons to "puppynap" them, along with 84 other dalmatian puppies, bringing the total to 99. Pongo and Perdita must set out to find the puppies and save the day, sticking it to Cruella in the meantime.
Is it any good?
Glenn Close plays Cruella with gusto and it's easy to see that she had fun with the part. Despite the slight modernization of the storyline, 101 Dalmatians retains most of the original innocence of the story. Sure it gets a bit sappy, but it's refreshing, and more appropriate viewing for younger kids, when the humor isn't tongue-in-cheek and jaded.
What families can talk about
Families can discuss villains and heroes. What makes Cruella De Vil a spectacular villain (or, very mean lady)? Why doesn't Anita see right away that she's up to no good? Why do Pongo and Perdita make such great heroes? How are they helped by other animals to find the lost puppies? Who are your favorite storybook good guys and bad guys?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Loved It!
Well, I love this version as much as the animated version. Cruella is deffinitely more scary in this live action version so really young children beware. But the good guys win in the end in the charming live action version. Oh, and the dogs are absolutely adorable!
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AGE
Awsome!
One of my fav movies! Full of action and humor. AND ADORABLE WITTLE PUPPIE DOGGIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
Classic, but dramatic
I am letting my four year old watch this and I haven't actually ever seen it. It was getting too intense for him after the dogs had the puppies and Cruella came barging in yelling making the lightning and thunder crack. He tells me "don't worry, mama, I'm not scared of anything..." but as he watches the Cruella parts, he's hiding. I am just fast forwarding through those.
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AGE
Remake is just adorable!
The original version will always hold a special place in viewers hearts, but this remake was very well done. It doesn't distort the original like some remakes have been known to do. I would warn that Cruella is even more wicked in this version, so very young children shouldn't watch quite yet. The animals in the movie are charming and the actors did a great job!
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AGE
101 adorable puppies!
While the original animated version will always be my favorite, I thought this remake was very well done. Cruella is even more frightening so watch out with the younger children, but they will love seeing all the adorable puppies!
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| Topics: | cats, dogs, and mice |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Stephen Herek |
| Cast: | Glenn Close, Hugh Laurie, Jeff Daniels, Joan Plowright, Joely Richardson, Mark Williams |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 103 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 12, 2000 |
| DVD release date: | December 12, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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