Review of Cruella (2021) by Domanar — 29 May 2021

I really liked what Disney did with this story. For the first time I think Disney finally understands the appeal of a Disney Villain movie. In their original films, these characters, with their larger than life personalities and charisma, are particularly and peculiarly magnetic. Yet we are never supposed to root for them, although many of us might do on a certain level like a guilty pleasure. A Disney Villain movie should let us enjoy and indulge in rooting, for once, for the Villain, and said Villain should be every bit as magnetic and devilishly fun as their animated counterparts. Maleficent only gave us the real Maleficent in the Christening scene, allowing us to revel in her dark humor and power, limited only by the fact that what she ultimately does in that scene is bad. The problem is, of course, that Maleficent is just the Sleeping Beauty story told from the villain's perspective. With Cruella, free from the constraints of a 101 Dalmatians retelling, Disney finally allows us to indulge in Cruella's devilish charisma and humor while we dive in a story meticulously planned like one of Cruella's heists. It is an amazing film that is eye-catching with its fabulous fashion sensibilities and ear-pleasing with its engaging and dynamic soundtrack. This is a stunning film that sets up an intriguing world that holds your attention from start to finish. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are incredible in their roles, chewing scenery and stealing the spotlight from each other back and forth. The last third of the movie is so heart-pumping intense I was genuinely surprised Disney allowed it. Stone and Thompson played it to the hilt. I could not stop grinning.

If this the future of Dianey Villain movies, I feel thrilled by the possibilities and optimistic.