Cruella
Cruella is the latest in a long line of Disney live-action adaptations and people have certainly become tired of the trend which it seems like Disney have picked up on with this one. Cruella feels not like a safe rehash of the 101 Dalmatians story but feels like it’s own independent story with the characters and imagery we all know from the animated 60s film.
The film stars my two favourite Emmas, Emma Stone and Emma Thomnpson, who both look like they are enjoying every second on screen and you can’t blame them for it because this script certainly pops. The sas and mercilessness of the characters and the world manages to feel playful and yet still intimidating. Emma Thompson in particular gives a brilliant performance, she manages to make her power come across in a very understated way (except in the fashion department).
Emma Stone gives a performance that still feels true to the classic Disney villain, whilst finding a genuine human character under the surface. The thing to realise with this is that although it’s the character we all know, this film doesn’t feel like a straight-up prequel to 101 Dalmatians, by the end it seems the story will go in a different direction. Although it does do a bit of a post-credit setup for a sequel which does take us into very familiar territory, that part seemed the most corporate out of the whole thing.
Along with the two Emmas, the third star of this film is the clothes! The fashion department did a great job of creating pieces that impressed even me (someone who knows nothing about fashion) and fit perfectly into the story and world. They look great and help tell the story, that’s a department that’s done its job!
You also have to appreciate that this story takes its dark and gritty world seriously, having some genuinely dark moments in there. Despite being a 12a Disney film I would say it doesn;t pull its punches.
In conclusion, if you are tired of lazy Disney remakes then Curella is the film for you, you can tell that many of the people making this film got creative and found a way to make this story feel alive. Cruella gets the Jacob Stamp of Approval.
