Cruella movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: CRUELLA

This Disney live-action origin story is only available on Disney+ on May 28, 2021

RATING: PG-13 (It feels way darker for a typical PG Disney movie)

LENGTH: 2 hours 14 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

Disney’s origin story of anti-hero Cruella De Vil is directed by Craig Gillespie, who is known for making artistic films that are edgy with dark humor like I, Tonya. The time period is set in London during the 1970s “punk rock” revolution. The movie itself is stunning to look at, although I have very mixed feelings about the moral messages Disney is trying to say in this live-action telling of how an age-old villain is simply misunderstood.

THINGS I LIKED:

Disney’s casting of the two Oscar-winning Emmas is brilliant. Emma Stone is fantastic and mesmerizing in every film she’s in. She’s also one of the executive producers of the movie. There’s a moment when she’s driving a car that she looked just like the cartoon character. This take on her character gives her the flair of a comic book villain. I also adore Emma Thompson and watch any movie she’s in just because I think she’s so talented and awesome. She has never looked more stunning than she does as a fashion icon in this movie. There’s a little bit of The Devil Wears Prada flair in this film both in fashion and working for a terribly self-obsessed boss. Cruella also takes lessons from the insane, rebellious Harly Quinn in Birds Of Prey And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.
The film is gorgeous to look at. It’s stylish, colorful, and so different from what you probably anticipated from Disney.
Tipper Seifert-Cleveland plays the young Estella and does a terrific job. I expect to see a lot more of her in the future.
Some delicious slow-motion scenes. I always love those.
Beautiful images of England with impressive production design.
Fun camera angles and cinematography. There are some no-cut scenes, a style that requires impressive coordination.
The great soundtrack features popular songs from the 1970s and can be purchased by clicking here: Cruella (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
There are a few nods to the original cartoon. For example, Horace mentions that he notices how dogs often look like their masters, referring to the opening sequence in the animated movie. In another scene, you get to watch Jasper and Horace watching TV with some Dalmations, just like in the animation. Joel Fry and Paul Watler Hauser do a great job bringing those goofy and loyal sidekicks to life.
The movie trailer does a good job hiding some big twists.
I love that Glenn Close, who played the first live-action Cruella in 101 Dalmatians (Live-Action) is an executive producer for this movie.
When the first trailer aired, film critics instantly compared it to the Joaquin Phoenix version of Joker, which gave us an origin story for a misunderstood movie villain. Let us not forget all of the terrible things he has done or that Cruella kills puppies and uses their skins in her fashion designs.
Speaking of fashion, fashion lovers will enjoy all of the beautiful clothes created by the wonderful costume design team. There’s a certain dress that reminded me of the magical gown in the movie The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
I was kind of surprised to see villainous action star Mark Strong cast as a lowly butler, but he added a nice, elegant touch to the role.
Fun fact #1: The sound of the horn on the truck that Cruella drives to the jail is the exact same sound as her car horn in the original cartoon.
Fun fact #2: Despite the fact that Cruella de Vil is British, she has never been played by a British actress!
Keep watching the stylish rolling credits at the end of the film for another quick scene.
There is already a plan underway for a sequel. Are you ready?

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It’s pretty dark and edgy for a Disney movie.
You don’t get to see that famous Cruella de Vil car very much. There’s also a car chase scene that isn’t shot very well.
What is Disney really trying to say…that there really isn’t evil in the world, just misunderstood people? Children may fall in love with the rebellious style of Cruella and think it’s okay because she had a rough childhood. Does that give people permission to do evil things, then? What do YOU think? Recently, one of my classmates from high school shot and killed 9 people in San Jose, California. I was horrified and saddened to see who and what he had become. People who hurt often end up hurting people. Let that be a reminder to all of us to be more kind to those around us.
Requiring viewers to purchase Disney+ AND then also pay for the movie seems a bit greedy, don’t you think?

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Dishonesty, crime, stealing
Someone dies
While Disney has hinted for years that some of its characters are LGBT+, Artie is very much a rainbow-flying man played by John McCrea.
The “killer instinct” is considered desirable.
Child abandonment
Talk of murder, portrayal of murders
Animal cruelty
The movie is probably a little too long for young kids who may start to get bored.
Some violence
Property damage
Name-calling and insults
We see a man wrapped in a towel just out of the shower
Bullying
A woman gets drunk and we see other people drinking alcohol

THEMES:

Cruelty vs kindness
Family, legacy, genetics
Revenge
Mentors
Fashion
Choices
5 stages of grief of losing a family member

FUNNY LINES:

* “A well-cut skirt is a lifesaver. Remember that, girls.” – Cruella (Emma Stone)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Don’t worry. There’s lots more bad things coming. We’re just getting started.” – Cruella
“I do love trouble.” – Artie (John McCrea)
“You can’t care about anyone else. Everyone is an obstacle.” – The Baroness (Emma Thompson)