Most remakes of classic movies are completely unnecessary, but when it's done right, a big bravo goes to the creative talents behind the scenes who saw something fresh to explore to remake it, and for John Hughes, this remake of the Disney animated classic succeeds on many levels. It's the performance that for many Glenn Close will always be remembered for, just coming from the triumph of playing mad Norma Desmond in the stage version of "Sunset Blvd.", and while it's a campy performance, with shades of Tallulah Bankhead coming out, it's a great one, and she's obviously having a great time being dolled up in outlandish furs and barking out orders to "kill the puppies now!"
As the hero and heroine, Jeff Daniels and Joely Richardson are terrific, both getting their share of bumps and bruises as they first encounter each other with their instantly smitten dalmations, desperate for some doggy loving. Joan Plowright is as warm as cocoa on a winter's day, making the viewer just want to hop through the screen and hug her, and adopt her as their surrogate grandmother. The buffoonish Jasper and Horace are delightfully portrayed by Hugh Laurie and Mark Williams, nearly identical to the crooks in the "Home Alone" movies, but these characters were created first. An absolute crowd pleaser, it's great fun for adults and children alike, with certain elements very appealing to a certain group of men who love their humor over-the-top and outrageous. You won't want to turn away because every detail of this film is worth catching and embedding into your mind.
As the hero and heroine, Jeff Daniels and Joely Richardson are terrific, both getting their share of bumps and bruises as they first encounter each other with their instantly smitten dalmations, desperate for some doggy loving. Joan Plowright is as warm as cocoa on a winter's day, making the viewer just want to hop through the screen and hug her, and adopt her as their surrogate grandmother. The buffoonish Jasper and Horace are delightfully portrayed by Hugh Laurie and Mark Williams, nearly identical to the crooks in the "Home Alone" movies, but these characters were created first. An absolute crowd pleaser, it's great fun for adults and children alike, with certain elements very appealing to a certain group of men who love their humor over-the-top and outrageous. You won't want to turn away because every detail of this film is worth catching and embedding into your mind.