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101 Dalmations

101 Dalmatians
Cert. U
Disney

Since eight years ago we obtained the dubious position of puppy walkers for Guide Dogs for the Blind, we have played our part in the training of seven dogs for the association - this may have made us 'editor's choice' to review the latest Christmas blockbuster from the Walt Disney stables, or should we say, kennels, 101 Dalmatians.
Fast-moving, slick, romantic, technically brilliant, it was worth £3 of my money. Of course, the sight of 99 puppies at play, plus two proud parents, is enough to get the sentimental jowls all a-slaver. Indeed, in an age in which we have become increasingly cynical about our own kind, it is tempting to turn to the animal world as a substitute for the emotional warmth which is so often lacking in human relationships.
The animals, of course, are the innocent victims of the scheming Cruella de Vil (the cruel devil). Driven by her obsession with fur, she and her blundering henchmen are systematically kidnapping the black and white babies as potential panels in the ultimate designer coat.
Of course, the dogs are the final winners as a huge rescue operation takes us on a roller-coaster style race from London to the spooky mansion in the depths of the country; all hugely enjoyable.

Every child must see?

There are, however, a few concerns worth mentioning. 101 Dalmatians is part of a pattern of films which 'every child must see', but neither the film industry nor the marketing business are particularly scrupulous and while this production contains little to offend, others have definitely 'adult' elements to widen the appeal and revenue. Again, one wonders what really happened 'off camera'. One or two dogs at a time in our house require great care and sensitivity. As they would say in their defence: 'Toys Aren't Us!'.
Lastly, as I mentioned, it is tempting to elevate animals to a point where they are almost human and thereby invest them with an unbiblical ID tag. We may end up regarding them as of equal worth with human beings, and have seen how New Age thinking has already given whales and dolphins an almost religious significance. And while dogs do indeed have amazing qualities (a Guide Dog for the Blind being a case in point), animals should never be worshipped, they still do not have souls, and were not redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Malcolm MacGregor