101 Dalmatians

Five months after its much-hyped theatrical run, this live-action remake of the beloved 1961 animated classic is unleashed on video. Unlike the original, the animals do not speak. Glenn Close is the whole show as fur-loving villainess Cruella De Vil. She is, as one character observes, an "excellent villain," but one can't suppress a sinking feeling at watching one of our best actresses at the mercy of scriptwriter John Hughes's sledgehammer touch. It's "Bone Alone" as Cruella and bungling dognappers Horace and Jasper get the worst from a menagerie of adorable animal rescuers. Hardly the best of breed, but the price and the Disney pedigree make it the pick of the litter for larger children's collections. (K. Lee Benson)[DVD Review—Oct. 14, 2008—Walt Disney, 103 min., G, $29.99—Making its second appearance on DVD, this re-release of 1996's 101 Dalmatians still features no DVD extras other than trailers. Bottom line: a disappointing release of a so-so live-action adaptation.]