Title: Cruella
Director: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone and Emma Thompson
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: May 28, 2021
Available: DVD, Blu-Ray, Disney + (subscription), Apple TV, Youtube TV, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
Are you interested in a dark film with comedic edge? Perhaps one with an all-star cast? Or maybe you’re more interested in a movie with a criminal mastermind? Then add this to your watchlist; Cruella has all that and more. As an incredibly deep movie, Cruella has all the pieces essential to a cinematic masterpiece. Cruella is a backstory film on the 101 Dalmatians villain, Cruella De Vil. The piece focuses on De Vil’s descent into madness after the discovery that her boss murdered her mother. Cruella’s sole purpose is to avenge this murder and bring the end of her now nemesis, The Baroness.This movie showcases many themes that still apply to today and shows the negative side of self discovery. Directed by Australian-American director Craig Gillespie, the film showcases a variety of all-star actors. Starring Emma Stone as Cruella and Emma Thompson as the Baroness, two award winning actresses, the film has developed characters that enhance the tone of the piece. Stone is most well known for her parts in The Help and La La Land. The 62 year old Thompson is most well known for her parts in Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually. Both actresses have won Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Their platonic chemistry enhances their character’s relationship in the film. Their similarities in the film also aids in the edge of the movie. Both characters have their own insanity and many morals are reflected in it. Cruella’s descent into madness preaches against the dangers of vengeance and the result of lying to both yourself and to those who care for you. However, the film does slack in some ways. For instance, there is the introduction of the characters Artie and John, friends of Cruella’s, that are not in the dalmations film. What happened to these characters? We don’t really know by the end of the film. On a lighter note, the film does properly introduce the characters Anita and Roger from the Dalmations franchise. All in all, the film is well developed and deserves every award that is sure to head its way.
Four and ½ stars.
Carter Corps News 