102 Dalmatians

Boston Globe Jay Carr

It is Close's performance that gives the movie its oomph and will leave adults with smiles as wide as the kids'.

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

In every kids' picture, there are going to be sections that only kids will enjoy. Fortunately, 102 Dalmatians has enough for the adults, too.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

The kind of movie that is beyond criticism.

New York Daily News Jami Bernard

The floating, flailing, flying puppies in the inspired opening credits of 102 Dalmatians set the tone for an adorable sequel to the live-action version of the famously spotted cartoon.

USA Today Susan Wloszczyna

Though 102 Dalmatians digs up little new ground and muzzles its villain, it does have a fetching sense of functional fun now and then.

Philadelphia Inquirer Desmond Ryan

The film, which is amiable, undemanding family holiday entertainment, is more a tribute to the astonishing skills of the dog trainers than anything else.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Doesn't really seem necessary.

Baltimore Sun Chris Kaltenbach

It should come as no surprise that the dogs are as cute as caninely possible. But is it conceivable that, once you've seen 101 adorable dogs, 102 seems redundant?

Variety Todd McCarthy

A pale reworking of its predecessor.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker

Harmless and thoroughly unmemorable: colorful, cute, fast paced, and about as involving as an amusement park ride.

Portland Oregonian Kim Morgan

Hollow, frequently boring picture.

TV Guide Maitland McDonagh

Adults -- even the die-hard dog lovers -- will just have to resign themselves to being bored silly whenever the cartoonish Cruella is absent from the screen.

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

How is it possible that actors as expert as Close and Depardieu can wind up together in a mostly brainless big-budget stinker?

Mr. Showbiz Larry Terenzi

A film without mirth or magic.

Entertainment Weekly Bruce Fretts

This sequel adds more insults and injuries that could traumatize little ones. Most frightening of all, the ending leaves the door open for ''103 Dalmatians,'' which would certainly constitute Cruella and unusual punishment.

Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

You can't help but feel that Disney has delivered a turkey for Thanksgiving.

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Spotlessly dull.

The New York Times Dana Stevens

May have had the unintended effect of obscuring the original it meant to honor.

Village Voice Richard Gehr

Cruella is once again bent on collecting enough puppy skins to fashion the frock of her dreams. And once again, yawn.

Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector

The elaborate climax set in a Paris bakery is the least boring part of this trained-animal movie.

Salon.com Charles Taylor

The whole movie is overbright, overloud, antic, telling us the characters and animals are endearing rather than allowing them to reveal themselves as such.

LA Weekly Paul Cullum

An unnecessary remake.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

So dull and formulaic, it ought to be leashed and led directly to the doghouse.

Film.com Tom Keogh

A sequel from hell.