50
Metascore
20 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75San Francisco ChroniclePeter StackSan Francisco ChroniclePeter StackThough this film's considerable warmth derives from dalmatian puppies and other animals who take charge of their fates, Close steals the show.
- 75San Francisco ExaminerBarbara ShulgasserSan Francisco ExaminerBarbara ShulgasserDalmatians proves an apt playground for Hughes as one could surmise that his inspiration for treating comic bad guys in his movies so violently comes from a cartoon sensibility.
- 63Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertWhat's funny in cartoons is not always funny in live action, and some of the dunkings in unsavory substances left me less than amused.
- 60Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumChicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumIf the Disney animated original (1961) -- adapted from Dodie Smith's novel -- tried to approximate live action, this 1996 Disney live-action remake often tries to evoke cartoon.
- 50The New York TimesJanet MaslinThe New York TimesJanet MaslinThanks 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.
- 50The A.V. ClubThe A.V. ClubNot much reason to see this one, because in 1961 Disney made an animated version called 101 Dalmatians, which is better.
- 40Austin ChronicleAustin ChronicleAt times, the film feels like one painful, protracted pratfall.
- 40Washington PostWashington PostAnnoyingly, the movie is marred by anemic connecting scenes and a seeming disdain for something as simple as logic
- 38ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliEven children, who will be enthralled by all the puppies, may have a hard time not fidgeting for protracted portions of the running time.
- 20Washington PostDesson ThomsonWashington PostDesson ThomsonIn 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.