THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
It's not everyday when you see that animals are way smarter than humans.
PLOT
Based on the children's book by Dodie Smith, 101 Dalmatians takes place in London and follows the male dalmatian Pongo (Rod Taylor) who lives with his human owner Roger (Ben Wright), a writer and musician. Although he enjoys the bachelor life, his dog tricks him to go for a walk, to find themselves companions. They encounter the woman Anita (Lisa Davis) and her female dalmatian Perdita (Cate Bauer). Their encounter wasn't perfect as Pongo accidentally caused both humans to fall into a lake. Despite this, the two eventually created a relationship so intimate that they would get married. Months later, both sides live together with their housekeeper Nanny (Martha Wentworth). Perdy gives birth to 15 puppies but Anita's former schoolmate Cruella De Vil wants them all for herself. Roger refuses to sell them to her, which easily upsets the woman as she vows revenge. Months later, when both couples go out for a walk, Horace (Frederick Worlock) and Jasper Badun (J. Pat O'Malley), burglars hired by Cruella, break into the house and steal every pup. When the family discovers the crime, Roger suspects it to be Cruella but there is no proof to back up the claim. Pongo summons the gossip chain known as the 'Twilight Bark' to send the news across all of England. The message reaches to Withermarsh, Suffolk, where a bloodhound named Old Towser (Tudor Owen) reaches it to the Old English Sheepdog named Colonel (O'Malley). His cat friend Sergeant Tibbs (David Frankham) investigates an old house after recently hearing puppies barking at the said location. His theory proves to be true because not only does he find the 15 dalmatian puppies of London, but also 84 more, a total of 99. Tibbs is chased away by the Baduns and once shares his discovery to Colonel, the Twilight Bark is sent to Pongo where to find them. Tibbs goes back to rescue them all and before he succeeds, he overhears Cruella's plan to skin them all to make coats, ordering the Baduns to do it overnight. When taking all 99 puppies to Pongo and Perdy, who discover the shocking plan, the decision is made that the extra 84 will join them to London. When a blizzard arises, the dalmatians take shelter with cows and a collie. Afterwards, they head to Dinsford and meet up with a Black Labrador. When all three antagonists catch up, they disguise themselves as Labradors when covering themselves up with soot. This doesn't last as they are spotted by Cruella, but all are able to board a van that's heading to London. She and the Baduns pursue the van but both of their vehicles ram into each other, which ends the chase. All dalmatians arrive at the house of Anita and Roger, which surprises them as they and Nanny count them to be a total 101 of them. The film ends with Roger deciding to buy a plantation for them all, after the financial success of a new song he wrote based on Cruella herself.
THOUGHTS
When you grow up as a child in the 2000s, you have the privilege to watch an array of animated films from Walt Disney Pictures, whereas prior decades had a limited amount. While many viewers give the most praise to the 90s era, it's easy ignore a classic like 101 Dalmatians. This movie lives up to the praise because it is so fun to see, a term that defines this studio. But this one stands out from the bunch because this is arguably the most adorable. From the beginning, you fall in love with these characters for what they are and everything that transpires is exciting to witness, due to incredible animation that impressively holds up in a modern era. Even as old as it gets, I have a funny bone for this. From Pongo calling the humans pets as the opposite would, to the bickering of the villainous trio, it's hard to not get enough of this. Again, the array of characters that are highly investing. Pongo is a highlight as it kicks off the story, being a fun loving, playful dog who shows to be smarter than humans would think. Had he not attempted the Twilight Bark, his puppies would have been doomed. It could've not worked but it showed that he was a loving father that would do anything to save each and every one of his children. Perdita is memorable because she is his polar opposite. She expresses her well mannered, stern personality but is well disciplined, hence the reason they're meant to be. She was truly the most observant as she sensed how something was off with Cruella every time she entered the room. I mean she called her a devil when she pulls up and wasn't that far from the truth. She was wise to trust Pongo with the Twilight Bark because she was as much of a loving parent as he was, willing to try anything for the children's sake. The 15 puppies don't exactly have as much screen time but they stood out for each having different personalities whenever one had the focus. Patch's solitary perspective stood out so much he got a direct to video sequel as the lead. The whole Twilight Bark sequence is so interesting to see because of how they're depicting equality between animals, something that sounds impossible not just on that perspective but also humans. The fact that these creatures had each other's back for something like that is phenomenal. Tibbs is arguably the real hero due to saving all 99 puppies overnight when he originally planned to look for the 15 missing. Going into the humans, Roger and Anita lay their mark in this movie for being human replicas. Roger is artistic, creative and energetic whereas Anita can be seen as the most kind. I gotta give credit to Roger for standing up to the main antagonist because without him, it's easy to believe Cruella would've snatched them on the spot without offering a check. Speaking of the devil, she has truly grown to be the most popular character of this film. Her selfish, greedy, short tempered presence has solidified her as a villain so memorable that she gained front and center star power for live action adaptations. This wouldn't be a reality if actress Betty Lou Gerson didn't succeed in owning everything about this character and make it look so good with her voice alone. Horace and Jasper stood out for being such a dynamic duo: they act out of greed but still have the instincts of being cowardly. While I admit that this film feels timeless, there are still stuff that bother me after all this time. First off, London may be huge but how has Pongo not spotted Perdita for so long? Sure Roger didn't like going out but that didn't mean Pongo wasn't looking out the window everyday. It is funny that Roger does write a song about Cruella, but how did she not hear the lyrics when she is at the door? I mean it's hard for me to believe she didn't. I also thought it was dumb how there wasn't a restraining order on her after she threatens them. Had they done that, she would have been arrested much quicker and she’d have to reveal the location of the pups. Sometimes, a background check is not enough. Also, how does Anita not know where Cruella gets the fur? If they were really friends, she’d figure out a long time ago. And why doesn't she assume her involvement with the dognapping? Cruella was the only one interested in the puppies and based on what we've seen, she doesn't seem to talk to anyone else that would be. It is impressive how Horace and Jasper pulled it off stealing 99 puppies but how has no human from the closest farms taken notice on barking coming from an abandoned house? I mean if the animals have, they should have too. I get that Cruella wants to keep her cover but why would she threaten to call the cops on the Baduns? If she does that, she loses whatever profit she tends to make. And why doesn’t she know common knowledge about Dalmatians, as in it takes a while for puppies to gain spots? If she really wanted to get excited about her possible product, she should’ve waited for Anita to call her about it. I know that both brothers are clumsy but how the hell do they mistake an adult dalmatian as a 'spotted hyena'? It does sound funny but considering that they stole 99 dalmatian puppies, they should know the adults are not feline. While there is respect for Nanny by her attempts to prevent the dognapping, but she messed up saying Anita & Roger weren’t there. Had she lied, Horace & Jasper definitely would have taken off and figure out the lie when it’s too late. It is also impressive on how long all 101 of the said species were able to hide for so long but how did the ice not break when they were on a frozen lake? Sure they're not heavy creatures but there's so many of them huddled together, it makes sense that it would. Would've been an intense moment to see the adults save the pups from drowning. And lastly, I am highly surprised how all the villains survived a graphic crash but why doesn't Cruella try to tell the van driver to pull over? It's clear that she wants to kill the dogs but does she really want to kill a person? That was not smart at all on her end. Ignore all of this, than you'll still be enjoying this film for what it is. Generally speaking, directors Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton Luske and Clyde Geronimi succeed in making a movie that was the most fun to watch in the 60s. If you're a dog person, this one is up your alley.
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