(1961)
4.5
Craig Butler
The sheer number of canine characters in the film is overwhelming, and the challenges they presented the animators were considerable. Fortunately, the Disney stable had by that time logged in decades of experience and was able to meet these challenges with aplomb. They also were old hands at adding character to their illustrations, with the result that the cast emerges visually as fully nuanced characters. The artists were enormously aided by a witty and delightful script, which knows just the right buttons to push -- from the "meet cute" opening to the suspenseful chase climax, in which the pace with which snow begins melting and falling creates a marvelous tension. The supreme creation of the film, however, is Cruella De Vil, an immortal villainess with an equally immortal theme song. She is perfection, from the startling angularity of her cheekbones to her cracked ice voice (courtesy of Betty Lou Gerson). Her callousness and selfishness are so absolute that she can't help but fascinate the audience, even as they root for her defeat. Although 101 Dalmations was the final full-length animated feature for directors Geronimi and Luske, Reithermann would go on to direct The Jungle Book, among others.
cast-crew for 101 Dalmatians on AllMovie
101 Dalmatians (1961)
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