Cruella (Craig Gillespie, 2021) Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
Wikipedia:
Cruella is a 2021 American crime comedy film based on the character Cruella de Vil from Dodie Smith's 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians. The film was directed by Craig Gillespie with a screenplay by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara, from a story by Aline Brosh McKenna, Kelly Marcel, and Steve Zissis. It is the third live-action adaptation in the 101 Dalmatians franchise and serves as a reboot and an origin story for the title character.
Emma Stone stars as the title character, with Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Mark Strong in supporting roles. Set in London during the punk rock movement of the 1970s, the film revolves around Estella Miller, an aspiring fashion designer, as she explores the path that will lead her to become a notorious up-and-coming fashion designer known as Cruella de Vil.
Metascore: 59
80
The Guardian Peter Bradshaw
There’s an unexpectedly huge amount of old-fashioned fun to be had in Disney’s spectacular new origin-myth story.
80
TheWrap Alonso Duralde
Purists may balk, but viewers who think of this less as a reboot of Dodie Harris’ memorable monster and more as a Disney spin on Derek Jarman’s “Jubilee” for gay 8-year-olds will find Cruella to be flashy fun, even at a slightly bloated two-hours-plus running time.
80
Empire Ben Travis
What could have been a mere IP cash-in instead becomes an unexpectedly cinematic crime-and-couture romp, delivered with the sort of style, snarl and eccentricity that Cruella herself would likely applaud. She makes being bad look very good.
75
Chicago Sun-Times Richard Roeper
Director Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl, I, Tonya) has delivered a clever, devilishly offbeat story with appropriately over-the-top and wildly entertaining performances from Emma Stone as the titular character and Emma Thompson as her nemesis, who is so casually cruel (in a manner of speaking), so cold and cunning, she makes Streep in The Devil Wears Prada look like the Employer of the Year.
70
IGN Kristy Puchko
Cruella's gonzo fashion, complicated characters, and truly bonkers backstory are compromised by obligations to be kid-friendly and its time-consuming need to over-explain everything it does.
70
Arizona Republic Bill Goodykoontz
When she’s playing Cruella, Stone is definitely in charge. It’s a bravura performance, filled with a crackling energy that never spills over into parody. That’s what saves it. Stone makes Cruella a believable character — if not relatable, then at least recognizable.
67
Entertainment Weekly Leah Greenblatt
Cruella comes off as a curious animal, eager to change its spots and trying a little bit of everything along the way.
60
BBC Caryn James
Beavan's costumes are dazzling throughout, including Cruella's glittering red dress at the Baroness's gala. But when the costumes overwhelm the characters and story, there's something hollow at the film's centre.
58
The A.V. Club Katie Rife
A love of pure aesthetics will help anyone looking to appreciate the movie, whose sets and costumes are as indulgent as its soundtrack. As an opportunity for Emma Stone to purr and vamp in elaborate gowns, Cruella is plenty enjoyable. But the “too much is just enough” attitude that makes it visually pleasurable also makes it a slog in the storytelling department.
50
The Film Stage Gabrielle Marceau
The attempt to humanize Cruella neuters what made her so entertaining.
Garry Gillard | New: 10 March, 2022 | Now: 10 March, 2022