With almost every Platinum Edition DVD Disney releases we get some insight on a new animation technique and the latest release of 101 Dalmatians is no different. This time around we are treated to not only one of the better Disney animated films, and one I hadn't seen in what seems like forever, but we learn of a shift in the animation process with what is called the Xerox process. But first, the movie.

One thing I realized watching this film is that a top ten list I must do before things are said and done is a Top Ten Disney Villains. I am not sure if Cruella De Vil would be my #1, but if I went based on looks alone it would be hard not to hand her the crown. Cruella is certainly one of the Mouse House's premiere villains, and I can just imagine the uproar crazy Christians would get in had this flick been released nowadays. Here we have a villain toting around her cigarette, wearing a mink coat and chasing after puppy dogs in an interest of killing them, skinning them and creating her latest fur. PETA would be all over this, they wouldn't care that the dogs get away in the end and live happily ever after. It would be outrageous!

One thing I thought was especially comical was a promotion for how bad cigarettes are before the film begins including a clip of Cruella from the film. The times sure have changed.

As far as how the film itself looks, the Disney restoration team once again comes through with flying colors. The flick looks better than ever and sounds fantastic. However, I am still awaiting one of my most anticipated releases of the year, when Disney releases Sleeping Beauty on Blu-ray. Now that is going to be the true test and I am sure it is going to be glorious.

Feature-wise, this disc comes with your traditional goodies. There are plenty of songs and fun and games for the kiddies, but the adult behind-the-scenes stuff is where I spent my time. As I said in the opening, the most interesting piece of this release is the introduction to the uninitiated of the Xerox process, a method that shook up the world of animation. Folks that used to ink over the animator's drawings before sending the cells to coloring were being replaced by the faster process of copying the drawings directly over. The move meant a loss of jobs, but as the Magical World of Disney was expanding corners had to be cut in an effort to save time and this was one way to do it, a move Walt apparently didn't like.

The making-of feature on this release includes many more goodies to enjoy including an interesting featurette on the correspondence Walt Disney had with "101 Dalmatians" author Dodie Smith, a look at the creation of Cruella and more information on the inspiration of the art of 101 Dalmatians. Disney never fails to impress in the "Backstage Disney" department and this release is no exception.

101 Dalmatians is another successful Platinum Edition Disney release, one you should certainly add to your collection. Also, be on the lookout as Sword in the Stone is going to be the next big Platinum release, along with the previously mentioned Blu-ray release of Sleeping Beauty. I can't wait.