Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
When a litter of dalmatian puppies are abducted by the minions of Cruella De Vil, the parents must find them before she uses them for a diabolical fashion statement.
101 Dalmatians is a charming Disney classic that stands out for its novelty: it introduced a bold, scratchy xerography animation style that gave the film a distinctly rough-edged, urban look unlike any Disney film before or since. Cruella De Vil is one of animation's most memorable villains, lending the film a singular personality. The plot is straightforward but effectively paced — a simple rescue story that keeps young audiences engaged without surprising anyone. Voice performances are solid and characterful, particularly Betty Lou Gerson's iconic Cruella, though the human characters feel thin. The ending wraps things up satisfactorily but without great dramatic weight. Overall a distinctive and beloved entry in the Disney canon, elevated primarily by its visual identity and villain.