The 101 Dalmatians franchise is a frequent fixture on television during holidays, particularly Christmas, in my country. While I’m familiar with the 1996 and 2000 live-action films, I never truly watched them on my own. Cruella feels different from other live-action films coming from Disney; it's far more than just another remake. Like many of the studio’s villains, Cruella de Vil (previously portrayed by Glenn Close) was initially presented as exceptionally wicked, with motivations that felt generic and overused. Beyond her greed, vanity, and unpleasant personality, this character had a disturbing backstory: a desire to skin puppies for their fur to advance in the fashion industry. Considering this, it’s no surprise Disney would alter this element when bringing the character back for 2021. A film centered around a protagonist who kills dogs wouldn't likely be successful. This core aspect of Cruella’s personality is understandably absent from Emma Stone’s portrayal, which might disappoint viewers attached to the original version—though times and cultural sensibilities evolve over time. Disney’s live-action remake campaign has sparked debate among audiences about what to expect. Some want a faithful recreation of the original story, while others desire something entirely new. Ideally, these films strike a balance: retaining the essence and message of the source material while adding fresh elements that justify their existence. Cruella functions as an origin story for a classic villain, and it’s easily one of the best movies I've seen this year. I didn't anticipate writing such a detailed review, but there is much to discuss. Let’s start with the aspects everyone can appreciate. The costume design is undeniably impressive; the vibrant dresses are visually striking, and Jenny Beavan excels at differentiating between Estella and Cruella through their wardrobes alone. The contrast between the wealthy people surrounding the Baroness and Estella's impoverished friends, Jasper (Joel Fry) and Horace (Paul Walter Hauser), is also highlighted by their clothing choices. The parties are filled with lavish costumes, complemented by beautiful makeup and hair styling, and impressive production design. Nicholas Britell’s score incorporates nods to music from previous installments, as does the film itself. Director Craig Gillespie includes Easter eggs for dedicated fans. Technically, it's visually stunning as expected from Disney, though some aspects aren’t quite as polished. Given that the studio recently produced a hyper-realistic remake of The Lion King, the CGI backgrounds and animals are noticeably artificial. The use of CGI dogs throughout the film is understandable and commendable, given concerns about animal welfare in filmmaking. However, the visual effects aren't convincing, which distracts from the story. Additionally, an important outdoor location features a poorly rendered, fake background that feels out of place. The ending also contains a sequence with noticeably bad CGI that will likely disappoint viewers seeking logical consistency—though it’s a film that embraces silliness. Cruella’s success relies in part on Gillespie's ability to balance tone. Jasper and Horace provide comic relief during absurd action sequences at parties and other events. While previous films leaned into irrational humor, the screenplay by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara shares similarities with The Devil Wears Prada and Joker. Estella's life story is far from happy, and Cruella’s rise to prominence is equally difficult. Overall, the balance between comedy and a more dramatic, traumatic storyline is generally well-handled, although Gillespie occasionally lets it go too far, especially in the last fifteen minutes. Let's examine the two protagonists: Estella and Cruella. The parallels with Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck / Joker are striking. From her difficult upbringing to her ultimate transformation, Emma Stone’s character follows a similar path, although she finds different solutions to her problems. Estella dreams of becoming a fashion designer and idolizes the self-centered Baroness, which leads her on a journey to learn how to succeed in the industry. The Baroness's mistreatment of Estella gradually brings Cruella back to life, overshadowing the kindhearted Estella who simply wanted to pursue her passion without resorting to extreme measures. A clever twist completes the protagonist’s transformation and genuinely surprised me. I didn't initially have high hopes for this origin story. Nevertheless, the well-written script delves deeply into a previously underdeveloped villain, giving her a touching backstory and understandable motivations. While she shares many characteristics with the infamous Baroness, Cruella never fully becomes that person. I would welcome a sequel, but I worry another film might diminish what we have now.

Source on TMDB