101 Dalmatians
An evil high-fashion designer plots to steal dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat but creates an extravagant mess instead.
Callum reviewed
November 8, 2025•
⭐⭐½ – 101 Dalmatians – Spots, Slapstick, and a Scene-Stealing Villain
The live-action 101 Dalmatians never quite catches the animated magic of the original, but it does have one thing that saves it: Glenn Close. Her Cruella de Vil is so perfectly over the top that she turns what could’ve been a forgettable remake into a campy delight. Every sneer, cackle, and outfit change feels like theatre — and honestly, the film lives or dies by her performance.
Around her, the cast is solid. Hugh Laurie (long before House) brings his trademark British goofiness to one of Cruella’s bumbling henchmen, and Mark Williams — later known to millions as Mr Weasley — adds a familiar warmth to the mix. Together, they give the film just enough charm to make it work as family entertainment, even when the script wobbles.
It’s broader, louder, and more cartoonish than the cartoon ever was — a film made squarely for kids, with plenty of slapstick and a few knowing winks for parents who grew up with the 1961 version. Adults will find it amusing enough once or twice, but it’s the sort of movie that quickly wears thin if you’re not the one under eight years old.
Still, it’s colourful, harmless fun, and Glenn Close makes Cruella unforgettable — arguably the best live-action Disney villain performance to date.
🥛 Pairing: A tall glass of warm milk — comforting, nostalgic, and just right for a family film that plays best before bedtime.