“Finally, after years of growing up with and watching the TV shows based on it, 101 Dalmatians and 101 Dalmatian Street, I finally managed to watch where it started!
And what can I say? I like the movie.
Of course, as with many movies of the time, parts of the pacing are slower than one is used today, like the first showing of the "barking chain", or the whole beginning. But seriously, I think it felt kinda nice and relaxing, before all the action starts!
The movie is really well-done and cute.
Sure, there are no crazy surprises or twists, it's, well, more "classical", obviously, but very much well-done so.
The slow start is a very nice introduction, Pongo and Perdita are lovely, caring parents, and Roger is an equally silly and serious person, both parts fitting well together.
Neither the humans nor the dogs have any real character development in the little time they have in the movie, but all of them are friendly and "cozy" in their own way.
Cruella reminded me of "The Rescuers"' Madame Medusa in her crazy dedication and even more crazy eyes. Well, chronologically, I guess, Medusa reminds me of Cruella.
The movie has many really smooth and nice animations and the facial expressions especially of Roger, Pongo and Perdita are lovely. You know, animal characters with strong, emotional expressions. The stuff Disney seemingly forgot they could do for the Lion King remakes. Anyway!
In addition to that, as often in high-value cartoon movies of that time, most backgrounds were really detailed and beautiful. And the ones that didn't have much details were instead used to provide strong, contrasting colors. So, certainly a movie that still visually holds up for me today!
And the music was also really nice. Playful and silly in fun scenes, strong and dramatic in chases. Really a lovely job by composition and orchestra!
Yes, for today's standards the story isn't anything crazy special, but it was told lovingly with much family warmth and friendship, and I loved it for it. The British voice actors also sounded really lovely.
So, yes, this is a really nice Disney Classic, I enjoyed it, and it was nice to finally see where the TV shows had their origin. The movie is certainly quite darker and serious than the shows, but it fits well!
Also, Pongo calling the humans their "pets" and being slightly confused to understand their species in a nice narrative joke.
Now excuse me, I gotta find a ton of cute puppies to cuddle!”
“Have you ever noticed how some older movies have this crazy, vibrant energy—like the drawings are about to jump right off the screen—while others just look like still paintings? Re-watching 101 Dalmatians, I realized it's a movie that definitely divides people, but it undeniably saved an empire. If you're just in it for the nostalgia, you'll have a good time. But if you really pay attention, you can spot the exact moment Disney swapped fairy-tale magic for a grittier, modern vibe. Let's look past the "sketchy" animation style and dive into how a movie about dogs completely changed the history of animation.
When you look at 101 Dalmatians visually, you can't ignore the huge shift in animation techniques. It often gets labeled as "rough" compared to the polish of Pinocchio, but I'd argue that its imperfection is actually its best feature. They had to use xerography (essentially photocopying) to cut down on crazy high costs, which meant the animators' original pencil lines made it right onto the screen. Purists might turn their noses up at this "dirty" look, but it gives the movie a vibe and an energy that traditional ink-and-paint often lost. Sure, sometimes the backgrounds look a bit flat and static compared to the characters, but that contrast creates a totally unique visual style. It feels like a sketchbook coming to life.
One thing that really wins me over is the overall vibe and setting. The movie captures a foggy, cold, and distinctly "jazzy" London that feels both modern and timeless. Bill Peet’s script is one of the smartest in Disney's lineup, perfectly balancing the cuteness of the puppies with a dry, cynical humor you rarely saw in their older stuff. The relationship between Pongo and Perdita, plus the way the animals run this highly organized underground network (the "Twilight Bark"), shows a level of storytelling that really keeps you hooked. The city isn't just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing character that moves to the beat of blues and suspense.
But if there's one reason this movie stays at the top of my list, it's Cruella De Vil. What animator Marc Davis pulled off with her is nothing short of genius. She’s the perfect mix of a genuine threat and over-the-top physical comedy. She isn't some distant, magical witch; she's a grotesquely rich, reckless woman who feels like she could exist in the real world, and she moves in this terrifyingly physical way. The voice acting is practically operatic, matching her sudden, dramatic entrances and exits in clouds of yellow smoke. In my opinion, it's one of the best acting performances ever done in animation, right up there with the all-time great villains. Cruella is the one who really elevates the whole movie—without her magnetic presence, the rest of it would just be okay.
Even with the obvious budget cuts, there are flashes of total brilliance and some fun meta moments. A big standout for me is the scene where the puppies all line up to watch TV. The way the characters interact with the fake TV show isn't just great comic relief; it's like a "show within a show." I see it as a huge modern milestone: it was one of the first times Disney used media within media to comment on how we consume entertainment. It adds a layer of reality that makes you feel closer to the characters.
It might lack the untouchable, ethereal "supreme magic" of those 1940s masterpieces, but 101 Dalmatians more than makes up for it with sheer personality. The pacing is snappy, and the emotional tension is real—the suspense during the escape through the snow is totally palpable. To me, it marks the exact moment Disney proved it could be modern, relevant, and most importantly, a survivor. It's an essential watch: imperfect in its polish, but absolutely perfect in its art and storytelling. The "sketchy" line work isn't a mistake; it's the signature of an era that dared to reinvent itself.
Long story short, 101 Dalmatians is so much more than a movie about cute dogs; it’s a case study on innovating during a crisis. If you haven't seen it in a while, I highly recommend giving it a re-watch. Don't just watch it for the nostalgia—pay attention to the bold visual style and the razor-sharp script. Give the Dalmatians another shot and let yourself get lost in that sketchy, lively version of London. You might just find out that you don't need technical perfection to tell an unforgettable story.”
