The narrative introduces young Estelle, who, following a tragic event, finds herself alone in London. There, she encounters Jasper and Horace, two orphaned young rogues. The story then jumps ten years forward, where Estelle (Emma Stone), now grown, fiercely pursues her aspirations as a designer. Her ultimate ambition is to work with the renowned design mogul, Baroness (Emma Thompson). However, as the plot unfolds, it becomes evident that circumstances are more complex than they appear, setting Estelle on the path to becoming the infamous Cruella De Vil.
Disney’s concept of exploring the origins of their iconic villains is a compelling one. Similar to the Maleficent movies, this film offers a fresh perspective on the character, potentially illuminating the motivations behind her notorious actions. Emma Stone delivers a masterful performance as Cruella, capturing not only her flamboyant eccentricity and volatile nature but also a subtle vulnerability, adding depth to the character. This iteration of Cruella diverges from the purely malevolent figure known for her obsession with Dalmatian puppies in Disney’s animated classic. Indeed, she is portrayed as a dog lover in this film. The filmmakers’ decision to present her with a dual identity – Estelle, her original self, and Cruella, her more wicked persona – is a clever device that fosters audience empathy for the character.
Emma Thompson’s portrayal of the Baroness is truly exceptional. To convincingly establish a villain even more formidable than Cruella requires a performance of considerable magnitude, which Thompson delivers with aplomb. Joel Fry and Paul Walter Hauser embody Cruella’s classic accomplices, Jasper and Horace, respectively. While their previous roles may be less widely known, they effectively strike a balance between comedic relief and dramatic gravitas. Furthermore, Mark Strong makes a notable cameo in a supporting role, adding an element of surprise to the narrative.
The film maintains a brisk pace, incorporating a generous amount of humor and, surprisingly, several intense and potentially disturbing scenes reminiscent of the animated original, Pongo and the 101 Dalmatians, which may be unsuitable for younger viewers.
However, some aspects of the film require a degree of suspension of disbelief, particularly concerning the characters’ ages. The initial encounter between Cruella, Jasper, and Horace occurs during their teenage years, followed by a ten-year time jump to the film’s main events. Consequently, the actors, portraying characters in their early twenties while being in their mid-thirties, stretches credibility somewhat. This aspect proved mildly distracting. Additionally, the film’s runtime of two hours and fourteen minutes feels somewhat excessive, with certain sequences potentially benefiting from trimming or removal.
From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray edition is well-executed. The film’s vibrant color palette and striking contrasts are rendered exceptionally well in high resolution. The DTS HD 7.1 audio track delivers a correspondingly immersive experience. The soundtrack, featuring a selection of popular classic songs, is particularly impressive, utilizing the speaker system effectively. While surround effects are not heavily emphasized, the overall audio presentation is highly competent. Furthermore, the disc includes a wealth of bonus content, with detailed documentaries that offer genuine insights rather than superficial promotional material.
As of August 27th, Cruella is also accessible on Disney+ through a standard subscription, offering the film in 4K resolution with Dolby Atmos and HDR support. The film is also available for purchase in physical 4K formats, including a standard edition and a Steelbook, both at a premium price. A relevant consideration is how the streaming version compares to the physical disc. Due to a slower internet connection, downloading the entire movie is necessary before viewing it in 4K. Even with the higher resolution, the streaming version exhibits a lower bitrate compared to the Blu-ray disc. Consequently, the overall viewing experience is arguably superior on the physical disc, as modern displays upscale Full HD content to 4K effectively. This reinforces the argument for collecting physical media, as the quality often surpasses that of streaming counterparts.
In conclusion, Cruella is an enjoyable film. After revisiting the animated classic, it’s clear that this Cruella is a more sympathetic character, at least initially. With a sequel already announced, there is potential to further explore her transformation. I offer a strong recommendation for Emma Stone’s portrayal of the eccentric Disney villain, Cruella De Vil.
