The Film
Despite the fact that it never spawned a popular princess, 101 Dalmatians is still one of the most popular Disney films of all-time -- and not just in this house. Since its 1961 debut, 101 Dalmatians inspired a direct-to-video sequel and a live-action remake, which also has its own sequel. Take that, princesses!
Well, if YouTube has taught us anything, it's that people never seem to tire of puppies, making the 101 Dalmatians: Diamond Edition a must-have. However, it doesn't hurt that this film unleashed Cruella de Vil, one of Disney's most wretched villains. Yes, she's definitely up there, After all, this is a "woman" who wants to make a coat from puppies. What could be more despicable than that?
Based on Dodie Smith's 1956 novel of the same name, Disney 17th animated feature is really the story of Pongo and Perdita, two "newlywed" Dalmatians who get more adventure than the typical new parents when they have a litter of 15 puppies. Soon the two are off on a cross-country adventure, to get their little ones back before they become part of Cruella's permanent wardrobe.
It's definitely not the prettiest Disney tale and it didn't inspire a ride, but 101 Dalmatians is a huge piece of Disney history. It helped turn the studio around after Sleeping Beauty's disappointing box-office take, with help from Xerox (see "The Picture" below). It's also a lot of fun. Aside from all of the cute and cuddly characters, Cruella de Vil deserves a spot in your Blu-ray collection -- and so does this movie.
The Picture
Back when 101 Dalmatians was released, it was a massive hit, mostly due to cheap animation techniques. The use of Xerox cameras made the image a bit rough and that's sort of reflected in this 1.33:1 image. It's not bad, but it certainly doesn't have the same 3D quality that we've come to expect from Disney's other Diamond releases. Again, it's not bad. In fact, it's the best this movie has ever looked, with plenty of bright colors, which you'll definitely notice in Cruella's creepy eyes and the surrounding scenery. That animation, even though less polished, is also sharp in this HD transfer. And the black levels, which are pretty important in a film that's drenched in black and white, are also quite nice. There's nothing to bark about here; 101 Dalmatians is as cute and cuddly as ever.
The Sound
Disney has given this Diamond Edition two English audio tracks. As with the DVD release, you can opt for the original Mono mix, but why do that when a perfectly good DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track is an option? The vocals are always crystal clear, but there are plenty of great surround moments. It's not on par with some of Disney's more recent releases, but it's pretty impressive for action that was created over 50 years ago. Directionality during the thunderstorm, car chase and even when the puppies bark all stand out. It certainly adds a little fun to the overall experience.
The Extras
That said, Disney did compile four new spots for this Diamond Edition. One of my family's favorites was "The Further Adventures of Thunderbolt." Unfortunately, at under 2 minutes, it was also one of the shortest. It's a cute cartoon, though, picking up the adventures of the TV show that the puppies watch in the film. "Lucky Dogs" is a really interesting 9 minutes with Disney Legends/animators Rolly Crump, Burny Mattinson and Floyd Norman, along with painter Carmen Sanderson and actress Lisa Davis (who voiced Anita) talking about the production. The group covers a little bit about that era of Disney, including the financial issues surrounding the film and the decision to use Xerox. "Dalmatians 101" has Cameron Boyce from the upcoming Disney TV movie Descendents (he's playing Cruella's son) rambling off five facts about the original animated production. The short is sort of goofy and some of the tidbits may not seem new, but my son was riveted and asking when we could watch the upcoming TV movie. And finally, the disc has a 1961 episode of Walt Disney Presents, which may be known to some of you as The Wonderful World of Disney. The classic episode runs about 51 minutes, with Walt himself plugging the upcoming movie in between a few puppy tales. It's really a neat blast from the past.
Final Thoughts
Who could possibly pass up so many puppies? The quality may pale in comparison to other Disney Blu-rays, but the 101 Dalmatians: Diamond Edition is still quite excellent. The film is more enjoyable than ever, if that's possible. And if you've watched this movie more than a few times over the years, you should be pleased with the boost that Blu-ray has given this Disney classic. That AV and the new extras, along with cute characters and a great villain, make this one a must-have.
Product Details
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