Cruella movie review: Emma Stone tries, but misses the mark

  Cruella, Emma Stone, Disney, Movie, Review

Subheadings:

Introduction

Plot Overview

Emma Stone's Performance

Cinematography and Music

Conclusion

Introduction

"Cruella" is Disney's latest live-action adaptation, focusing on the early years of the infamous villain from the classic 1961 animated film "101 Dalmatians." Starring Emma Stone as the titular character, "Cruella" explores the backstory of how Estella (Cruella's original name) became the iconic villain we all know and love. However, despite its promising premise and star-studded cast, "Cruella" falls short in delivering a truly engaging and memorable film.

Plot Overview

The film takes place in 1970s London, where we are introduced to Estella as a young girl with a penchant for mischief and a talent for fashion design. After a tragic incident, Estella runs away from home and eventually falls in with a group of fellow misfits, including the charming thieves Jasper (Joel Fry) and Horace (Paul Walter Hauser). Together, they pull off a series of daring heists and eventually catch the attention of the high-end fashion designer, the Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson).

As Estella rises through the ranks of the fashion world, she begins to adopt her Cruella persona, becoming more ruthless and vengeful in her quest for revenge against the Baroness. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that the plot lacks depth and fails to deliver on its promise of exploring the motivations and psychology of this iconic villain.

Emma Stone's Performance

One of the few bright spots in "Cruella" is Emma Stone's performance as Estella/Cruella. Stone is a talented actress and she does her best to inject life into the lackluster plot. She brings a rebellious and edgy energy to the character, making her both sympathetic and relatable, despite her villainous tendencies.

However, even Stone's performance can only do so much to elevate the film. The script and character development are lacking, leaving little room for Stone to truly shine. The rest of the cast, including Emma Thompson as the Baroness, also delivers solid performances, but they too are held back by the lackluster plot and thin character development.

Cinematography and Music

While the plot and characters may be lacking, the film's visual and auditory elements are impressive. The cinematography by Nicolas Karakatsanis is stunning, with bold and colorful visuals that capture the punk rock aesthetic of 1970s London. The costume design by Jenny Beavan is also noteworthy, with each outfit perfectly capturing the evolving style of Estella/Cruella.

The soundtrack is also a highlight of the film, featuring classic rock and punk songs that perfectly complement the rebellious tone of the film. The use of songs like "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Rolling Stones and "Come Together" by the Beatles add an extra layer of depth and energy to the film.

Conclusion

Overall, "Cruella" falls short of its potential. While Emma Stone delivers a solid performance, the lackluster plot and thin character development leave little room for her to truly shine. The film's stunning visuals and impressive soundtrack are not enough to save it from its fundamental flaws. "Cruella" may be worth a watch for fans of the original animated film or for those interested in the punk rock aesthetic of 1970s London, but it ultimately fails to deliver a truly engaging and memorable film.

Despite the anticipation surrounding the release of "Cruella," the film has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. Many have praised Emma Stone's performance, but criticized the lackluster plot and underdeveloped characters. Some have also taken issue with the film's portrayal of a classic villain as a sympathetic protagonist.

However, "Cruella" has also been praised for its stunning visuals and impressive soundtrack. The film's use of classic rock and punk songs has been particularly well-received, with some critics noting that the soundtrack is one of the film's strongest elements.

Despite its flaws, "Cruella" has still managed to become a commercial success, grossing over $87 million worldwide in its first two weeks of release. This has led to speculation about the possibility of a sequel or spin-off featuring Emma Stone's Cruella.

Overall, while "Cruella" may not live up to the hype, it is still worth a watch for fans of the original animated film or for those interested in the punk rock aesthetic of 1970s London.