Usually, I like kid's flicks - I loved "Rugrats." But I
growled through both live-action 101 and 102 -
ultimately all two hundred and three of these
Dalmatians. Despite my feelings, apparently allure
exists, since Disney opted for a sequel. And
admittedly, I did overhear two young boys excitedly
telling each other their favorite movie parts while
exiting the theater.
After a miraculous psychological cure, Cruella
loves puppies and hence is released on parole. Her
parole officer is none other than Dipstick's owner
Zoey.
The few tricks deserving praise:
1) Again, grand costuming, especially on Cruella de
Vil. 2)Nice opening credits (you'll see spots). 3)
When a cute puppy Dalmatian peers with sad eyes at
his spotless reflection in a mirror. 4) When the new
Cruella shouts "Murderer." Alonzo makes a great
nervous butler. 5)Cruella's transformation. 6) "Lady
and the Tramp" homage and Tony's restaurant reprise.
7) Parrot that sings the cop to sleep. 8) Skinny dog
with wild hair.
And the theater did explode with laughter twice -
maybe three times, but not more than that.
My bones:
In addition to the near total lack of any bones
thrown to the adult audience, here are some specific
dog bites that left me gritting my teeth, 1) Giving a
dog a new hairdo might sound good on paper, but on
screen wasn't funny. 2) One minute the dog is on the
roof, the next cut he's hanging from some ascending
balloons. Where was the leap? Did the dog refuse to
do the trick? 3) The dogs pick out Zoey's clothing,
another careful scene that didn't hit the mark. 4)
Cruella's cohort exclaims, "Steeling puppies is like
taking the baby from the candy." I don't know if kids
find that cute, but to an adult it's as painful as
the empty chime of ... "I'm really beginning to
dislike that woman." 5) As we approach the climax a
pseudo car-chase is injected but with absolutely no
point - perhaps only to amuse the youngsters who
don't need a point. 6) Continuing in the theme of
pointlessness, the film wraps itself up in a pie
machine simulation from "Chicken Run."
To be honest, I just don't know how your kids will
react to this film; you, however, might want to bring
something to read.
|