March, 3 2008

How many of you can remember what your favorite children’s movie was? I wouldn’t know what your answer would be but I bet you the majority come from one source. That’s right; I’m talking about the one and only Disney. Generations of people all over the world have come to cherish the magic that only Walt Disney could give us.

I can tell you the first movie I ever owned as a kid was Walt Disney’s Cinderella. The amazing part is that I still have that movie even today in its classic VHS packaging. Now I’m sure that each of you has that one favorite that you cherish more than the rest. Well I have 101 of them…Dalmatians that is. That right… the first time I laid eyes on the spotted wonders when I was a kid I was hooked. Of all the Disney movies out there and there are a lot, 101 Dalmatians has always captivated my attention.

I think part of this has to do with the fact that 101 Dalmatians was a start of a new era in animation all those years ago. 101 Dalmatians was the first animated classic to really step completely away from the popular ink and tracing method of animation. Celluloid or “cels” as we call them now allowed for a more cost effective means to make movies back then as well as new opportunities. What most people don’t know is that animated movies are among the hardest movies to make. It takes nearly 24 drawings to make 1 second of film. Most of these drawings are done by several people as it would have taken one artist 184 years to complete the film. Can you say “Wow!.”

Walt Disney’s 101 Dalmatians barks out of the Vault for the first time this decade this month and I couldn’t be happier. Sadly my VHS copy bit the dust some time ago and I’ve been making due with a recorded tape from a TV airing these past several years.

The beloved classic has been digitally restored with enhanced picture and sound. The restored picture is as perfect as you’re ever going see in a Disney film. It is said that old’ Walt didn’t like the way 101 Dalmatians came out, because it moved away from his colorful fantasy film like Cinderella. But that didn’t keep Dalmatians from being received very well when it released back in 1961. Here it is 47 years later and it is still one of the most sought after and highly enjoyed films over the generations. I think that the largest reason for the film’s continued success its contemporary look. The film is a representation of the times that it was born into by author Dodie Smith.

The one thing that draws me to this film is the realism that it brings to the table. Prior to this title, all of Disney’s movies with the exception of the live action ones were all happy and song filled. Don’t get me wrong, I was raised on Disney films and I like most of them. But over the years, 101 Dalmatians just started to stand out to me.

Like most of the restored Disney classics, the DVD features 2 soundtracks. You have the option to watch the film in its restored original theatrical soundtrack or in the All-New 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Surround Sound. I ended up watching the film in both settings and I absolutely love the new 5.1 mix. It will make your neighbors think that you adopted a truckload of puppies. 101 Dalmatians can also be listened to in French and Spanish for both sound versions.

101 Dalmatians Platinum Edition is loaded with more special features and options than you can wag your tail at. There is Pop –Up Trivia Facts for the whole family as well as more advanced facts for the avid movie fans like myself. I tend to be one of those people that like to know who did the voices or performed the soundtrack. I found out things about 101 Dalmatians that I wouldn’t even noticed if it hadn’t read the trivia facts.

One of my favorite tidbits of information is that 4 characters from The Lady and The Tramp show up in this film. I won’t tell you where, because finding them is half the fun. I also learned that most several things in both the book and movie are based on real-life events that happened to the author. One such fact is that Dodie Smith actually owned several Dalmatians and had a still born puppy in their first litter. The puppy ended up being revived by her husband, just like Roger did in the film.

The 2nd disc is loaded with features for the whole family. The “Redefining The Line: The Making of One Hundred and One Dalmatians” takes you back to learn how the movie came to be as well as introduced you to some of the greatest people in animation history, including the man behind the most outrageous villain in Disney history.

The disc also features a dramatically reenacted correspondence between Dodie Smith and Walt Disney. “Sincerely Yours, Walt Disney” gives an insight into the long term friendship they both shared. The segment called “Cruella De Vil: Drawn To Be Bad” reveals the inspiration behind the Fur-Obsessed Villain. You’d be surprised at the answer.

Selena Gomez, known for her roles in Hannah Montana and as a Disney Singer, performs a new version of everyone’s favorite Dalmatian song ”Cruella De Vil.” I’m actually impressed with her performance, which you can see on Disc One. Yeah, I know I’m 26 and listening to Disney Pop music, but that song is my all-time Disney song, no matter the version.

101 Dalmatians barks into stores on March 4, and all I can say is that I would gladly pay the price of this 2-Disc Platinum Edition DVD ten times over. If this is your first time or your One Hundred and First time seeing this film, you will not be disappointed. I give 101 Dalmatians five paws way up.

Filmmaking: 10
Directors Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton S. Luske and Clyde Geronimi are the films three directors. All three of these men are among some of the best directors in Disney's history of animation. It takes a lot of work to put an animated film on the big screen and these three did it with style.

Graphics: 10
Now when you think of Graphics, movies are the last thing on your mind. Graphics is a category best suited for games and the ever increasing venue into film. Animation films like the 101 Dalmatians are a thing of the past now, but yet they stand the test of time. 101 Dalmatians was a visual masterpiece back in 1961 as it was something that had never been done before. The newly digitally restored version is better than I remember it being and I couldn't be happier.

Sound: 10
The score by George Bruns is as timeless as the film its self and hasn't suffered a bit in the transfer. The entire cast including legends like Ron Taylor(Pongo), Lisa Davis(Anita) and Cate Bauer(Perdy)are brought back in beautiful 5.1 Surround Sound. 101 Dalmatians was never really a musical like so many of its disney peer but the voice acting and score are top notch in my book.

Value: 10
There is a nice amount of bonus material in the 2-disc Platinum Edition DVD. There are all kinds of deleted songs, games and much much more. I ended up watching the film 4 times to view all the featues available. That's impressive.

Overall: 10
When you watch a Walt Disney film, you expect a certain level of excellence. 101 Dalmatians has excelled in every department over the generations and I look forward to watching it with my family sometime in the future. This film tugs at our hearts with its fantastic story of two dalmations going up against all odds to be reunited with their puppies. This is truly a work of art and giving this film anything less that a perfect 10 is treason in my book.