I haven't been entirely sure what to think of Cruella; after all, this is a film that focuses on a character who has become notorious for murdering dogs, but based on the first reactions to the live-action Disney film, I shouldn't hold a little dog murdering against it. Our own JimmyO caught the film and seemed to have an absolute blast, praising Cruella as one of the biggest and best surprises of the year. You can check out Jimmy's reaction, as well as plenty of others, below!
@JimmytotheO has seen the delightful @cruella! One of the biggest and best surprises of the year! #EmmaStone is perfection, and #EmmaThompson is exceptional! It may take a bit to get going, but once it does you are in for a hell of a show! Wickedly wild, it’s a darkly comic joy! pic.twitter.com/nR7Rg9XLTW
— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) May 14, 2021
#Cruella is #Joker meets #TheDevilWearsPrada and possibly the best live-action #Disney movie yet. #EmmaStone is just mind-blowing, and #EmmaThompson matches her every step of the way. This movie is something special… @cruella pic.twitter.com/5qvHSkYj9A
— Josh Wilding (@Josh_Wilding) May 14, 2021
I also have to mention @PaulWHauser, because he's a real highlight and so, so funny (I'd say the same about @FryJoel too). Wonderful double act who play off #EmmaStone perfectly. #Cruella is going to be the biggest surprise of the summer. pic.twitter.com/JOwJeElD9f
— Josh Wilding (@Josh_Wilding) May 14, 2021
#Cruella is absolutely divine. Deliciously devilish, wonderfully wicked, undeniably outrageous. Emma Stone & Emma Thompson are truly an iconic pairing & they play it to the hilt. Costume designer Jenny Beavan deserves 3rd billing. Plus, it’s got a killer soundtrack. @cruella pic.twitter.com/N5UFEnmSr1
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) May 14, 2021
#Cruella is the spiritual successor to THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. Audaciously reshapes the infamous villain’s narrative. Nods to the animated classic are FUN. A punk glam attitude courses through the picture, from technical aspects (POPS on the big screen!) to character construction. pic.twitter.com/mmnWj8FIWD
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) May 14, 2021
.@PaulWHauser and @FryJoel are terrific as Horace and Jasper in #Cruella . They’re animated without being “cartoony,” giving their supporting characters multi-faceted internality & introspection. They’re heart and humor. pic.twitter.com/otlVTAdATZ
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) May 14, 2021
#Cruella is a wickedly fun watch w/ amazing costumes & an epic soundtrack. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are exceptionally evil & hilarious, and they make the movie memorable. Also, Paul Walter Hauser steals scenes, as he tends to do. It's like a Disneyfied DEVIL WEARS PRADA pic.twitter.com/dUSjlVlgsu
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) May 14, 2021
Categorizing #Cruella as great isn't hyperbolic. Because it’s great.
Incredibly directed and crafted — wouldn't shock me if it scored Best Production Design and Best Costume Oscar noms — and well acted: everyone is having fun and that fun imprints itself on the film's DNA. pic.twitter.com/tGJLyeMWzW
— Eric Italiano (@ericitaIiano) May 14, 2021
The soundtrack is excellent, the use of dogs is both adorable and inventive, the humor is sharp, and the IP is irrelevant: #Cruella stands and can be enjoyed on its own.
And, of course, the Emma Stone (and Thompson) of it all: they’re the best part.
People will love this movie. pic.twitter.com/ofOUqgeXTW
— Eric Italiano (@ericitaIiano) May 14, 2021
#Cruella is an ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS film! Every outfit is STUNNING & fits perfectly in the London punk rock era. Emma Stone is FLAWLESS as Cruella & her version blows Glenn Close's version out of the water! The soundtrack is FIRE!????
Don't miss the post credit scene! WOW! @cruella pic.twitter.com/2YJfP7pwzu
— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) May 14, 2021
The story is extremely well done with fantastic nods to 101 Dalmatians & Emma Thompson's Baroness is a great addition to Cruella's origin. Joel Fry as Jasper & @PaulWHauser as Horace are pure perfection, providing the comedic relief in this dark & twisted film. #Cruella pic.twitter.com/KkelGl7LVc
— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) May 14, 2021
The fashion is to DIE for & the cinematography is incredible. @Cruella BEGS to be seen on the big screen with Emma Stone crushing it as this larger than life villain with her unique mannerisms and looks that could kill!
May 28th – in theaters & Disney+ Premier Access.#Cruella pic.twitter.com/ZmbmVn38NE
— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) May 14, 2021
#Cruella is a tasty caper. Rich visuals and creative cinematography enhance this pithy origin story dipped in camp. Emma Stone crackles as she evolves in the titular lead opposite Emma Thompson’s tart Baroness. Joel Fry and Paul Walter Hauser make for delightful partners in crime pic.twitter.com/wrS3xLtVVY
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) May 14, 2021
#Cruella is one of Disney’s strongest live-action remakes that gives an updated origin story for a new age whilst showcasing breathtaking fashion.
Emma Stone is wildly entertaining in the titular role as she fully commits to the villain persona in a fearless & bold performance. pic.twitter.com/cK583U6Ow5
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 14, 2021
#Cruella is all over the place. A mixed bag that isn't sure what kind of movie it wants to be. It's too nihilistic for some of its family-friendly Air Bud moments but also too silly for the edgy character study it wants to be. A mishmash of things that don't flow together. pic.twitter.com/DjyHVFRUWS
— Charles Villanueva (@cfsvillanueva) May 14, 2021
Emma Stone is great and is clearly having a blast playing this version of Cruella. Emma Thompson does her best Miranda Priestly. The movie is stylish as hell, which might be its most redeeming quality.
— Charles Villanueva (@cfsvillanueva) May 14, 2021
CRUELLA tells the origin story of one of Disney’s greatest villains with a 70s punk rock style, a splash of DC comic book madness & a lot of camp. Emma Stone & Emma Thompson tear into their roles with wicked charm while the costumes are to die for! The de Vil Wears Prada indeed! pic.twitter.com/E28Lhnup3s
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) May 14, 2021
Cruella could be the biggest surprise of the summer. Bold, dark, & wonderfully anti-Disney. Emma Stone is perfection as Cruella. Hair & Makeup, Production Design & Costume Design are sure bets for Oscars noms. Paul Walter Hauser is terrific and Winks the dog is adorable. #Cruella pic.twitter.com/zPCdFXSGL3
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) May 14, 2021
Cruella is definitely not for kids which is so refreshing to see from Disney. While I’m not entirely sure who Cruella is for, I do know that the film will build a cult following. It completely stands out on its own from all the other Disney live action films thus far.
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) May 14, 2021
Cruella is the perfect combination of Batman Returns meets Devil Wears Prada. Did I mention the killer soundtrack and score? How about Craig Gillespie’s superb direction? Who continues to showcase his range as a filmmaker & how each film he makes feels wildly different the last.
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) May 14, 2021
There are 2 queens in #Cruella. Emma Stone & Emma Thompson both shine in a battle of who is more wicked. Ridiculously entertaining, this story of my favorite Disney Villain, is a visual feast of 1970s London and high fashion. The film is too long, but I raise my glass to Cruella. pic.twitter.com/EokM9AHFCY
— Tania Lamb (@LolaLambchops) May 14, 2021
CRUELLA is spectacular fun. A bit long in the tooth at 2h 15m but loved Emmas Stone and Thompson chewing and gnashing at the scenery with glee. Gorgeously costumed by Jenny Beaven, an exciting score by Nicholas Britell and Paul Walter Hauser is absolutely hilarious. #Cruella
— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) May 14, 2021
Cruella was helmed by Craig Gillespie from a screenplay by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara and based on a story by Aline Brosh McKenna and Kelly Marcel & Steve Zissis. The film stars Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Paul Walter Hauser, Joel Fry, Emily Beecham, Mark Strong, and more.
The official synopsis for Cruella:
Academy Award® winner Emma Stone (“La La Land”) stars in Disney’s “Cruella,” an all-new live-action feature film about the rebellious early days of one of cinemas most notorious – and notoriously fashionable – villains, the legendary Cruella de Vil. “Cruella,” which is set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute, played by two-time Oscar® winner Emma Thompson (“Howards End,” “Sense & Sensibility”). But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.
Cruella will debut in theaters and on Disney+ Premier on May 28th.
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