HEREs the catchy scenario: dastardly Cruella De Vil gets rehabilitated. Thanks to a good old dose of fur-aversion therapy, Cruella positively loves those spotty little Dalmatian darlings.

Theres no more clobbering and skinning the little blighters give her a local dogs home to support and now she cant help out fast enough. Its just that those old devilish urges keep coming back to pester her.

So, can Cruella really change her spots or will her true colours shine through?

The late Stanley Kubrick would have loved the idea its like a kiddies version of A Clockwork Orange.

And what with a terrific trailer whetting our appeities, Disneys live-action sequel, 102 Dalmatians, looks like a classic in waiting. But dont you believe it.

This plays like a bad pantomime but you are supposed to love to hate panto villains, not just hate them. You wont be booing and hissing in this movie youll just be yawning.

Theres no denying the iconic look of Cruella De Vil Glenn Close was born to play her but 102 Dalmatians seems to have forgotten cartoon villainy isnt just about getting dressed up like a dogs dinner or getting your evil mannerisms just right. To get the laughs you need a level of sympathy and there aint enough of it here.

More could have been made of a hapless Cruella trying really hard to keep a lid on her old self. For instance, if you thought from the trailer Gerard Depardieus fur fashion designer was going to come on like Cruellas bad conscience intent on snapping her out of being nice, then think again.

He turns up only after shes reverted to type (and a sorry picture he paints too).

The dog-loving, goody-goody couple dont help matters either. This should be Cruellas film, but we have to suffer them for far too long. Pretty-in-pink Chloe (Alice Evans) is impressed by Kevin (Ioan Gruffudd) and his unwavering belief Cruella has changed her ways.

And the talking parrot (voiced by Eric Idle) that thinks its a Rottweiler will no doubt get a few sideways glances.

So, thank heaven for the dogs the only convincing actors in the movie (probably because they dont say anything).

Spotless Dalmatian pup Oddball, who has an inferiority complex, and a pumped-up finale just about salvage what is otherwise an ill-judged slapstick comedy.

If your name is Jar Jar Binks you might find it funny. Otherwise, be warned.