It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

102 Dalmatians (2000): Dir: Kevin Lima / Cast: Glenn Close, Gerard Depardieu, Ioan Gruffudd,Alice Evans, David Horovitch: The first one was a major letdown so it comes to no surprise that the sequel is just as bad. Cruella De Vil is released from prison as a animal lover but a side affect renders her to her old self and joined by fur exhibitionist Gerard Depardieu. They seek 102 Dalmatians because Cruella wishes to add a hood to her coat. Visually stunning with fine references to Lady and the Tramp but story is uninspiring. Director Kevin Lima does his best. He previously made the animated Tarzan. Close plays De Vil as the victim of cruelty especially since she came across as willing to change. Depardieu is a valuable French actor who is forgettable as this foolish lout. Social worker Alice Evans is given the personality of a bean bag. She obviously doesn't believe in second chances and coins De Vil for crime before she is even willing to act upon it. Ioan Gruffudd appears as the latest spotted dog lover and the role is every bit as charming as fleas are to dogs. The production values are passable but the freshness is gone after it translated to a live version before. Pointless sequel with dogs that cannot talk as they did in the animated version but we are given a parrot that thinks it is a dog. Perhaps that's the best that the screenwriter could do. Score: 2 / 10

Why the low rating? I thought it was a very enjoyable film and its even just as good as the 1st one which was fantastic. The story maybe kinda slow in a few places and there is new actors filling in from Jeff Daniels and Joey Richardson,but still I enjoyed it. The film kicks off where Cruella De Vil played by the fantastic Glen Close is finally cured from her mayhem of getting the dalmatians and killing them for their fur. But there is a catch as the hypnosis actually wears off when the Big Ben chimes and she goes back to being the crazy dog killer again. Of course we are introduced to Chloe who is Cruella's patrol officer and Kevin who owns a dog pound both played by husband and wife duo Alice Evans and Ioan Grudffud.So what do I like about this movie well I think its got to do with the stars of the film THE DOGS and yes I am a dog lover so maybe that's why I enjoyed this flick. The acting is superb and I think this has to be the most underrated flick I have seen of all time. I mean it doesn't deserve a 4.6 rating if it got a 6.7 fair enough but really a 4.6??Oh well at least I liked this movie. Directed by Kevin Lima who also directed Tarzan and of course Enchanted,102 Dalmatians is strictly for animal lovers.7/10

This sequel to 101 Dalmations is pointless. Glenn Close milks a few laughs out of her Cruella De Vil character and that's about it. The puppies remain cute but it all feels calculated. The script as a whole lacks wit or imagination. Eric Idle manages a few decent lines as the parrot Waddlesworth. Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans are bland. Gérard Depardieu is wasted. There are a lot of references to previous Disney films that bored viewers may notice. Kids may go for this sequel with its Home Alone style 'family-friendly' violence but adults are best advised to stay away.Overall 3/10

Arguably this is a very good "sequel", better than the first live action film 101 Dalmatians. It has good dogs, good actors, good jokes and all right slapstick! Cruella DeVil, who has had some rather major therapy, is now a lover of dogs and very kind to them. Many people, including Chloe Simon, owner of one of the dogs that Cruella once tried to kill, do not believe this is true. Others, like Kevin Shepherd (owner of 2nd Chance Dog Shelter) believe that Cruella DeVil HAS changed. Meanwhile, Dipstick's mate, has given birth to three cute dalmatian puppies! Little Dipper, Domino and Oddball...Starring Eric Idle as Waddlesworth (the hilarious macaw), Glenn Close as Cruella herself and Gerard Depardieu as Le Pelt (another baddie, the name should give a clue), this is a good family film with excitement and lots more!! One downfall of this film is that is has a lot of painful slapstick, but not quite as excessive as the last film. This is also funnier than the last film.Enjoy "102 Dalmatians"! :-)