101 DalmatiansMovie Reviews

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So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 49 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
5 OK for kids 5+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 88
    USA Today | Susan Wloszczyna

    Director Stephen Herek does an admirable balancing job, though the movie slows whenever the animals solo onscreen. [27 Nov 1996 Pg.01.D] Read full review

  • 80
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    Where the film misses its biggest bet, however, is in depriving the animals of the voices they had in the animated version. Read full review

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle | Peter Stack

    Though this film's considerable warmth derives from dalmatian puppies and other animals who take charge of their fates, Close steals the show. Read full review

  • 63
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    What's funny in cartoons is not always funny in live action, and some of the dunkings in unsavory substances left me less than amused. Read full review

  • 50
    The New York Times | Elvis Mitchell

    Thanks to Glenn Close's delicious villainy, it succeeds in breathing archly theatrical life into the irresistibly monstrous Cruella DeVil. Otherwise, this remake goes to the dogs too often. Read full review

  • 50
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    But when it comes to that great puppy pilgrimage, the movie, which was written and produced by John Hughes, falls astoundingly flat. Read full review

  • 40
    Washington Post |

    Annoyingly, the movie is marred by anemic connecting scenes and a seeming disdain for something as simple as logic Read full review

  • 40
    Austin Chronicle |

    At times, the film feels like one painful, protracted pratfall. Read full review

  • 40
    Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan

    Fluffy and mild to the point of somnolence, it can't even get the full benefit of its strongest asset, Glenn Close's performance as the grasping virago Cruella DeVil. Read full review

  • 20
    Washington Post | Desson Thomson

    In Hollywood, imitation is the most profitable form of flattery. That is the only plausible explanation for 101 Dalmatians, Walt Disney's disappointing live-action remake of its own 1961 classic. Read full review


Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 5+ All-ages spotted canine caper updates classic.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this movie contains mild, slap-sticky humor as well as a theme of skinning animals for their fur.
  • Families can discuss villains and heroes. What makes Cruella De Vil a spectacular villain (or, very mean lady)? Why doesn't Anita see right away that she's up to no good? Why do Pongo and Perdita make such great heroes? How are they helped by other animals to find the lost puppies? Who are your favorite storybook good guys and bad guys?
The good stuff
  • message true3 Positive messages: The "bad guys" (and bad gals) are clearly bad and vice versa.
What to watch for
  • violence false0 Violence and scariness: Pratfall violence; underlying theme of skinning animals for their fur.
  • sex false0 Sexy stuff: Not an issue
  • language false0 Language: Not an issue
  • consumerism false3 Consumerism: Self-promotion of a couple Disney flicks within the actual movie.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Cruella De Vil smokes a long cigarette and wantonly flicks ashes.

101 Dalmatians Movie Ratings + Reviews

Fans say

So-so 21 fan reviews

Critics say

So-so See all critic reviews

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