ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, November 27, 1996 TAG: 9611270009
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 4 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
Only a grouchy old movie reviewer would complain that the best moments of "101 Dalmatians" have been on display in the previews for months.
Kids don't care about such things, and they're going to love this live-action version of the 1961 animated feature.
It's every bit as exaggerated and stylized as the cartoon, and star Glenn Close is the embodiment of Cruella DeVil, one of the Disney studio's greatest villains.
She, of course, is the London couturiere who lusts after fur in general, puppy fur in particular, for a black and white spotted coat. Jasper (Hugh Laurie) and Horace (Mark Williams) are her hapless henchmen. (Think Brit versions of Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci in "Home Alone.")
Roger (Jeff Daniels) and Anita (Joely Richardson) are the owners of Pongo and Perdy, proud Dalmatian parents of the aforementioned puppies. Roughly the first third of the film concerns the laborious (and essentially unnecessary) romance between Roger and Anita. The rest is about pupnapping and rescue, and it's much more enjoyable.
On the human side of the film, Glenn Close delivers another full-bore star turn that makes her "Fatal Attraction" bunny-boiler look like Mary Poppins. Cruella is so flamboyantly exaggerated that she's more funny than frightening. And when justice is meted out - by the various animals she's been pursuing - it's handled with some fine slapstick. Of her co-stars, only Joan Plowright, as the puppy's Nanny, makes much of an impression.
The animals, trained by Gary Gero and his group, are excellent. He got some assistance from Jim Henson's Creature Shop and other special effects, but much of the dramatic work is done by real animals - hundreds of Dalmatians, several Airedales, Old English Sheepdogs, assorted raccoons, horses and birds.
Screenwriter/producer John Hughes tells much of the story through talking animals. They don't speak like the critters in "Babe" did; they bark and whinny and chirp to each other. The action is so simple that even the youngest moviegoers will understand what's being said without translation or subtitles.
Once the introductory stuff is out of the way, director Stephen Herek keeps the pace moving quickly, and he delivers the broad physical comedy that kids (and most adults) love. No, the film isn't as involving or as moving as "Babe," but it is enjoyable light entertainment.
By the way, the studio's press notes and several animal-advocacy organizations have noted that Dalmatians are large, strong, demanding dogs. They're difficult pets for most families. Cute puppies come in all sizes and shapes at the animal shelter. Kids who come out of the movie demanding a Dalmatian should look there first.
101 Dalmatians ***
A Walt Disney release. 98 minutes. It's rated G, but contains some scary stuff.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 linesby CNB