Cruella (2021) Review

Cruella (2021) Review

Dir. Craig Gillespie 

 

Disney’s new Live Action reimagining has both bark and bite


 

https://images.app.goo.gl/k1xvkxG7crfPxS2Q6





Following in the un-impactful footsteps of their latest live action remakes like 2020’s Mulan, many of us had written off this Maleficent-esque villain origin story for Cruella deVill before it had had a chance to show itself. What results is perhaps one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. A film I had no expectations or faith in yet was utterly enjoyable and entertaining.

 

As suspected, Cruella can’t fully justify the puppy-skinning maniac of 101 Dalmatians, but you seen realise this is very much a different story. This Cruella is way less Freddie Kruger and a lot more Frida Kahlo; an icon with a point to prove. 

 

Unlike recent shallow Disney flicks like Mulan and Aladdin; Gillespie’s directing is energetic, frenetic and all-round joyous, as the talent behind the camera clearly isn’t phoning it in. Neither , clearly, is the cast. Emma Stone turns in a convincing lead role, with a surprisingly well-written character to deepen and empathise with what was originally a very black and white villain.

 

Emma Thompson as her foil The Baroness is savouring every single glare and put-down the biting and witty screenplay allows her, showing her real strength as an over-the-top control freak. The deVill wears Prada, as the two engage in upstaging and high-fashion hijinks in energetic and fun montages. 

 

Fun for all the family, Cruella manages to land both its emotional beats and its humour respectively. The supporting cast is well-matched with Joel Fry a particular unexpected highlight, and some surprise appearances from comedic talents. 

 

The true highlight of the film is its killer soundtrack; matching the films late 60s and early 70s setting. The film’s most fun and heart-pumping moments could’ve fallen significantly flatter had they not been matched with the anthems and tunes; showing once again that the film has real effort behind it from a filmmaking perspective. 

 

Overall, Cruella is a real joyful experience. Not a shallow remake, but a new, fresh story being told through a familiar character. A film with an energetic, family story that has a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you’re after a high-fashion rivalry drama, a comedy heist movie, or a mystery adventure in search of a MacGuffin necklace; these elements are all catered for and somehow all conjoin into a solid single story. 

I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, but afterwards, I can say that I’d rather watch 10 more Cruellas, than 10 more CGI Lion Kings. 

 

8/10

 

Review by Elliott Thomas Griffiths

Comments

  1. Elliott GriffithsSeptember 29, 2021 at 8:17 AM

    Yes I agree with all of the above and what a superb film review !

    ReplyDelete

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