Everyone knows 101 Dalmatians is all about Cruella. As a kid, I fell in love with the Glenn Close adaptation. I watched that film so many times my VHS tape broke. So going into this new take on Disney’s most devilish villain, I was skeptical. I had low expectations, and I’m happy to say the trailer did not do this movie justice. This film and Emma Stone’s performance surprised me.
We all know Cruella. The red lipstick, the manic hair, the crazy eyes, the iconic laugh, and an affinity for a fur coat. Many will be comparing Stone to Close, but these are two completely different performances serving two different stories. While Glenn Close portrayed more of a Caricature, Emma Stone humanizes Cruella, much like Angelina Jolie did with Maleficent.
That being said, let’s talk story. The film starts a bit rocky, showing a young Estella (Tipper Seifert-Cleveland) whose devious nature comes with an alter ego, Cruella. After one too many fights, Estella’s mother is forced to pack their bags and head to London. After a tragic pit stop at a lavish country mansion, Estella is left to fend for herself.
She makes her way to London and is befriended by two orphans Jasper (Ziggy Gardner and later Joel Fry) and Horace (Joseph MacDonald and later Paul Walter Hauser). Together the trio and their clever dogs grift their way through life, with Cruella pursuing her fashion dreams in the process.
As they grow older, the film turns into Disney’s version of The Devil Wears Prada when Estella joins a fashion house run by the extravagantly evil Baroness (Emma Thompson). Much like Streep’s Miranda Priestley, The Baroness is not someone to be trifled with. However, she does take a liking to Estella and takes her on as a Protégé.
As the story progresses, the evil ways of The Baroness come to light, making Estella shed her sweet exterior and fully embody Cruella.
The script has some issues, mainly being that it’s somewhat predictable. But the fabulous fashion, stunning visuals, a stellar cast, and a killer soundtrack make up for the writing.
The film is surprisingly long, chiming in at a little over two hours. But it does move fast and keeps you intrigued. Unfortunately, I don’t believe it will hold a kid’s attention. It’s more of a film for adults to appreciate.
In conclusion, Cruella is a clever adaption of the source material. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are both devilishly delightful and perfectly cast. The script has its faults, and the director missed a few opportunities to capture some iconic shots, but it’s still wickedly fun.
So, here is the 30 dollar question. Will you watch it at home, see it in theaters, or wait until it’s available for free with your Disney Plus subscription?
My take? If you have kids, this may not hold their attention. But, if you’re ready to get back in the theater, I’m sure it will look stunning on the big screen. On the other hand, if you want to see if it may capture their interest, the rental may be the way to go. Plus, you’ll be able to go back and rewatch it (and trust me, a rewatch worth it to catch nods to the original film).
Review: Cruella
Score
Review Nation Score
Cruella is a clever adaption of the source material. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are both devilishly delightful and perfectly cast. It has a killer soundtrack and gorgeous fashion. The script has its faults, and the director missed a few opportunities to capture some iconic shots, but it's still wickedly fun.
