102 Dalmatians Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Cruella goes from puppy-hating to puppy-loving and then back to puppy-hating because a clock made her do it, again.

🍿 102 Dalmatians: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Cruella’s Release and Reformation

After undergoing therapy, Cruella De Vil is released from prison, seemingly cured of her obsession with Dalmatian fur. She insists on being called “Ella” and dedicates herself to animal welfare, even funding a dog shelter. Her parole officer, Chloe Simon, remains skeptical, especially given her own Dalmatian family.

The Trigger: Big Ben

Unbeknownst to everyone, the sound of Big Ben’s chimes reverses Cruella’s therapy. She relapses into her old ways, once again consumed by the desire for a Dalmatian fur coat. This sets the stage for her renewed pursuit of spotted puppies, putting Chloe’s family and the dogs at the shelter in danger.

Le Pelt and the Plot

Cruella enlists the help of Jean-Pierre Le Pelt, a flamboyant French furrier, to capture Dalmatians. They set about a scheme to kidnap puppies, including Oddball, a spotless Dalmatian, to fulfill Cruella’s twisted fashion dream. This leads to a series of chaotic and comical events.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Cruella de Vil (Glenn Close): The villainous fashionista, seemingly cured of her desire for Dalmatian fur, reverts to her old ways and schemes to create a spotted coat.
• Jean-Pierre Le Pelt (Gérard Depardieu): A flamboyant French furrier who partners with Cruella to capture the Dalmatian puppies.
• Kevin Sheperd (Ioan Gruffudd): A kind-hearted owner of a dog shelter who initially trusts Cruella’s reformed persona.
• Chloe Simon (Alice Evans): Cruella’s skeptical parole officer and a dog lover, caught in the middle of Cruella’s schemes.
• Alonzo (Tim McInnerny): Cruella’s long-suffering butler who gets caught up in her antics.
• Waddlesworth (Eric Idle): A macaw who believes he is a dog, providing comedic relief.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cruella de Vil: “Do call me Ella; Cruella sounds so… cruel.” – Cruella, trying to present herself as reformed, asks to be called Ella to soften her image.
• Cruella de Vil: “Spotty vision is a hereditary disease.” – Ella makes this comment while faking a good natured love for puppies in front of her parole officer.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $85,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $66,957,026
• Worldwide Gross: $183,611,771

💥 102 Dalmatians Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this movie as a kid and being completely mesmerized by Glenn Close. She was just so incredibly over-the-top, and her costumes were insane! Watching it again now, I can see it’s definitely not a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s still a fun, silly movie that brought back a lot of nostalgic memories. The puppies are adorable, and even though the plot is ridiculous, I couldn’t help but smile.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for lighthearted entertainment”
  • “Fans of Glenn Close’s portrayal of Cruella De Vil”
  • “Dog lovers”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slapstick comedy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild cartoonish violence”
  • “Animal cruelty themes (though not graphic)”
  • “Some scenes may be intense for very young children”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Glenn Close once again delivers a deliciously wicked performance as Cruella, elevating the film beyond its somewhat predictable plot. While the story retreads familiar ground, the visual spectacle and over-the-top humor provide enough entertainment for a family movie night.
• Variety: “102 Dalmatians is a serviceable sequel, buoyed by Glenn Close’s scenery-chewing performance and vibrant costume design. While lacking the original’s charm, it offers enough canine capers and slapstick comedy to keep younger viewers engaged. Gerard Depardieu’s presence adds a quirky but underutilized element.

Audience Reactions

Glenn Close’s performance is iconic and unforgettable.: Viewers generally agree that Glenn Close steals the show with her portrayal of Cruella De Vil, making the movie worth watching for her performance alone.

The puppies are cute and add to the fun for younger viewers.: The cuteness of the dalmatian puppies is a recurring highlight, appealing to younger audiences and adding a lighthearted element to the film.

Overall Consensus: While not a critical darling, 102 Dalmatians is generally considered a fun, family-friendly film carried by Glenn Close’s performance and the undeniable appeal of adorable puppies. It’s a lighthearted romp with a touch of villainous charm.

Awards

1. Costume Designers Guild Awards (Excellence in Costume Design for Film – Period or Fantasy)- 2001

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Dalmatian puppies grow very quickly, so each puppy could only ‘act’ for about two weeks before needing to be replaced by a younger, smaller puppy.”
• “The film features a cameo by a puppy named Oddball, who is born without spots. This deviates from the traditional Dalmatian appearance and becomes a plot point.”
• “The costume design for Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil was nominated for an Academy Award, showcasing the character’s extravagant and over-the-top style.”
• “Filming locations included the Bluebell Railway in West Sussex, England, adding an authentic British backdrop to the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch 102 Dalmatians?

102 Dalmatians is available to stream on platforms like Disney+. You can also rent or purchase it on demand from services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed 102 Dalmatians, you might like these similar films:

• 101 Dalmatians (1996): Directly precedes 102 Dalmatians, featuring the same characters and premise of Cruella’s obsession with Dalmatian fur.
• The Devil Wears Prada (2006): Features a strong, fashionable, and demanding female lead, similar to Cruella de Vil’s character.
• Paddington (2014): A family-friendly film set in London with a mix of live-action and CGI elements, offering a similar lighthearted adventure.

🛒 102 Dalmatians Related Products

• 101 Dalmatians (Two-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging): Experience the magic of the original animated classic! This edition includes behind-the-scenes features, deleted scenes, and much more to enjoy the original story that started it all.
• Funko POP! Disney: Cruella De Vil: Add the iconic villain to your Funko Pop collection! This detailed figure captures Cruella’s distinctive style and personality.
• Disney 102 Dalmatians: Oddball Plush: Snuggle up with Oddball, the adorable spotless Dalmatian puppy. A perfect addition to any Disney collection.
• Dalmatian Print Dog Bandana: Dress up your pup in style with this adorable Dalmatian print bandana, perfect for everyday wear.

🎧 Soundtrack

102 Dalmatians features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Digga Digga Dog” – performed by Oren Waters
• “Le Freak” – performed by Chic

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

102 Dalmatians ~ “Cruella’s Release” (Deleted Scene)

Ever wonder what got cut from ‘102 Dalmatians’? This deleted scene shows Cruella’s release and it’s pretty wild! You’ve gotta see this – it adds a whole new layer to her character.

102 Dalmatians ~ “Designing Dalmatians” (Featurette)

Curious about how they created all those adorable dalmatians for the movie? This featurette takes you behind the scenes to show the design process. Honestly, it’s fascinating to see the work that went into it!

Recreating Cruella With Anthony Powell | Behind The Scenes | 102 Dalmatians (2000)

Want to know how they transformed Glenn Close into the iconic Cruella De Vil? This behind-the-scenes video with Anthony Powell is a must-watch for any fashion or movie buff. The details in her costumes are insane!

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