The Queen of Mean has arrived! Emma Stone brings one of cinema’s most notorious and notoriously fashionable villains to life in Disney’s Cruella.
Estella (Emma Stone) is a young and clever grifter who’s determined to make a name for herself in the fashion world. She soon meets a pair of thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they build a life for themselves on the streets of London. However, when Estella befriends fashion legend Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson), she embraces her wicked side to become the raucous and revenge-bent Cruella.
101 Dalmations is one of my favorite Disney movies (both animated and live-action films) and Emma Stone is one of my favorite actresses, so when they announced this movie and Stone’s casting I was excited and nervous. After seeing it in theaters I can honestly say I was blown away. There were plot twists that made my jaw drop and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next.
The acting was brilliant. Emma Stone (Estella/Cruella) and Emma Thompson (The Baroness) had such great chemistry and played off each other phenomenally. The costuming in this movie deserves an award as it is a true work of art.
I really enjoyed the film’s music choices. They used all 70’s songs, and while most of them weren’t huge hits you will definitely recognize them. Florence and the Machines did an original song titled “Call Me Cruella” and it is perfect for this movie. The music was perfectly used to convey a lot of emotion and fit well with the movie’s dark cinematography.
Now, how does Emma Stone compare to Glenn Close? You can’t really compare the two as they are two completely different versions of the character but both equally exceptional. This is definitely a female empowerment movie. You will feel sad for Cruella and root for her, but you will still think she is evil. It’s like she says in one scene, “But people need a villain to believe in and I’m happy to fit the bill.”
Overall, Disney’s Cruella is a fantastic addition to Disney’s lineup. It is a bit of a departure from their usual family-friendly endeavors, mainly due to the film’s dark backstory. The plot is clever and edgy with just the right amount of heart to balance out the madness. Emma Stone is a remarkable Cruella that you will not soon forget.
Disney’s Cruella is now playing in theaters and streaming on Disney+ with Premier Access (additional fee required).
What did you think of the movie? Sound off in the comments.
