Disney's animated classics usually fall into one of two categories: "art" or "adorable." There's not much doubt as to which label transcendent works like Fantasia or Bambi proudly wear, just as it's plain as day that 1961's 101 Dalmatians was bred to be cuter than a warehouse full of buttons. Not that there's anything wrong with this, because films of this kind are usually the ones we're first exposed to as kids -- simple little stories that piqued our curiosity and encouraged us to further explore Uncle Walt's wonderful world. The catch? These are chapters of Disney's legacy that tend not to hold up over time as well as others. While they may be treats for less discriminating children, grown-ups can find them a touch meandering. 101 Dalmatians seems a good deal on the thin side itself, but it's not a deal-breaker, as the picture compensates for what it can with loads of personality and lush, distinctive animation. It coasts along for quite a spell on likability alone, serving up charm by the frame and beating away with a stick any cynical tendencies that may settle in.

Our tail -- err, tale -- is set in a picturesque corner of London. Here, a dalmatian named Pongo (voice of Rod Taylor) lives with his "pet," struggling tunesmith Roger (voice of Ben Wright). The pup loves his master, but he tires of the bachelor's lifestyle and wants Roger to find a companion to make him happy, and vice versa. One day, Pongo goes so far as to engineer a not-so-chance encounter with Anita (voice of Lisa Davis), whose own bespotted beauty Perdita (voice of Cate Bauer) quickly catches his canine eye. In no time at all, wedding bells are ringing for the humans, while the dogs are blessed with a litter of fifteen puppies. But slinking in the shadows is quite the nasty number, a terrifying creature with a disturbing love for all things furry. She's Cruella De Vil (voice of Betty Lou Gerson), a fearsome fashionista who lays her eyes on the litter and declares that they be made into her latest coat. Cruella's mania drives her to steal the pooches and gather up all the dalmatian puppies she can get her paws on, sending Pongo and Perdita off on a quest to save the whole lot from shear danger.

101 Dalmatians was the savior that Disney was hoping for at the time of its release. The studio was coming off of the costly Sleeping Beauty, whose disappointing box office total led to firings and cutbacks aplenty at the House of Mouse. All eyes were on 101 Dalmatians to restore the company's image, and that it did, becoming a runaway hit on a smaller budget, courtesy of cost-cutting and time-saving advances in animation. It's easy to see why audiences fell in love with the film, as its visuals alone radiate a certain warmness that's not hard to lose yourself in. The movie was Disney's most modern cartoon feature yet, with its characters tooling around contemporary English settings in motorcars and even watching television. The locations are teeming with detail and authenticity, from Roger and Anita's cramped abode to the snowy countryside that the pups flee into for the final act. The designs for our canine crew are also in top form, drawn in a semi-realistic manner that still carries Disney's trademark glint of fantasy. With all of these dogs under the same roof, telling them apart is just out of the question, but the animators did a pretty decent job of helping the few hounds who get more screen time than others stand out with some added tweaks.

But lest we forget about our two-legged comrades, the people of 101 Dalmatians are designed with similar care and attention. Although Roger and Anita are a lovely-looking pair, the show is stolen in spades by the one and only Cruella De Vil. With her freaky stare, big fur coat draped on her lanky frame, and dual-shaded mane, just her appearance looks spooky enough to land her a spot in the pantheon of great Disney villains. Gerson's vocal contributions seal the deal, ensuring that the crazed fur fiend will have kids cowering in their living rooms for decades to come. Still, despite the treasure trove of rich visuals and memorable characters it provides, 101 Dalmatians suffers a bit from a story that doesn't have a whole lot to it. Although the flick isn't as listless and sleepy as something like The Rescuers, the pacing drags as it enters its second half, wherein the rescue of the puppies gets delayed so that some wacky supporting animals can pad out that length. Once in a while, they'll have funny stuff to say, but they succeed mostly in making you realize just how much time has gone by when it cuts back to the dogs, who still haven't made it home. Also, while cheering for Pongo and Perdita to bring their kids back to safety is no problem, the puppies themselves are saddled with one-note traits; there's the fat one, the one who loves TV, and the rest, who all sort of blur together.

Though I thought more of 101 Dalmatians as a youngster than as my current embittered self (I shudder at how the 1996 remake would play nowadays), it's still a good time. The animation ranks among Disney's finest of the era, the jazzy constantly pops with lively tunes, and the antagonist emerges as one for the record books. Now available in a Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, 101 Dalmatians comes  back in high definition to stun its admirers and make an entire new generation let loose a great, collective, "Aww..."

 BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:


-The Further Adventures of Thunderbolt, a short film continuing the escapades of the puppy litter's favorite TV show.

-Lucky Dogs, a documentary interviewing some of the film's animators and cast members.

-411 on 101, a celebration of the film hosted by actor Cameron Boyce (from the Disney Channel's "Jessie").

-The Best Doggoned Dog in the World, a 1961 featurette hosted by Walt Disney that discusses the production of 101 Dalmatians and plays the theatrical short Arizona Sheepdog.

-Making-of featurettes, trailers, TV commercials, radio spots, and music recordings carried over from the film's previous DVD release.

-A DVD copy of the feature film.

-A digital copy of the feature film.

(Released by Walt Disney Studios and rated "G" by MPAA.)