Once again, I paid $30 so you don’t have to! Also, I highly encourage people to go out and start supporting local theaters as they reopen.

Following the success of Maleficent and the other live action Disney remakes, Cruella was an attempt to make us sympathize with a psychotic puppy killer AND IT SUCCEEDED.

We open with Cruella’s birth – actually named Estella. She was born with the black and white hair that set her apart as different. Estella is confident and smart…and a bit rebellious. From an early age, Estella showed a passion for fashion. Small spoiler, but take notice of her school friend’s name. I didn’t catch it the first time. Also, every time Estella gets in trouble – for standing up to bullies – she gets a spot on her record. Starting the Dalmatian theme early aren’t we? Estella adopts a dumpster dog and he’s the sweetest boy. With the system out to get her, Estella gets expelled/withdrawn from school. Her mother is struggling to support her and stops by a friend’s house for help. Like any Disney movie, it doesn’t go well for the mom and Estella has a traumatic run in with killer Dalmatians. I will say this opening is good for a rewatch, because you notice more details once you know what to look for.

Estella ends up alone in London until she finds 2 street rats that welcome her into their gang – Horace and Jasper (again note the names). They spend the next 10 years as petty thieves with Estella designing their con outfits. Jasper ended up getting Estella an entry level job at a department store. The work wasn’t quite what Estella expected and her boss was a POS. In a frustrated (and drunk) state, Estella designed her own front window and it caught the Baroness’s attention. Now the Baroness is the Miranda Priestly of the movie – the queen of the fashion industry and Estella’s role model. Baroness admires Estella’s window and offers her a job. Estella thrives under working with the Baroness.

I’ll stop there before I spoil more. Movie ensues as Estella uses her alter ego Cruella to build her fashion line and rival the Baroness.

The characterization of Cruella was easily my favorite. She’s got a bit of that split personality with Estella and Cruella. You spend the whole movie trying to figure out if she’s good, bad, or crazy. I honestly can’t say too much more without spoilers, but give Emma Stone an Oscar! My favorite scene is about an hour and 30 minutes in when she visits the fountain at Regency Park. She decides she’s going to stop trying to fit in and just be her self. As she puts it, “I’m not sweet Estella, try as I might. I never was. I’m Cruella. Born brilliant, born bad, and a little bit mad.”

My second favorite thing was the soundtrack. It reminded me of Guardians of the Galaxy with 37 vintage pop songs accompanying scenes throughout the movie. Set in the 1970, the stylization of the whole movie was brilliant. From the music to the costume design, the colors (or lack of) were part of the story telling which should be expected in a movie around fashion. The Baroness having Regency/Edwardian inspired designs and Cruella coming in with the new punk rock wave.

Is it worth the $30? I say yes, but I also always say yes lol

It may be cheaper if you go to the local theater. Just saying.

This movie does contain some darker themes that may not be appropriate for kids, but I don’t think kids were the target audience for this movie. If you’re a millennial like me that grew up in the Disney renaissance era, this is for you. Not to mention, we had the live action 101 Dalmatians movie to grow up on. Glenn Close appreciation sentence. The writing, acting, and over production of Cruella sold me on the movie where I really do recommend it.