Ever wondered how evil came to be? Disney offers such an explanation with Cruella, telling audiences the backstory of 101 Dalmatian villain Cruella De Vil. While the Mouse House have been fiends for remaking their live-action greatest with mixed-at-best results, the decision to follow in Maleficent's footsteps and offer a new perspective of one of their famous tales is one that serves them incredibly well.
As a pop punk revolution unfolds on London's streets in the 1970s, young grifter Estella is determined to make a name for herself. Earning a position alongside fashion legend Baroness von Hellman within her empire, she thrives under her terrifying leadership. But when true identities are revealed, a series of events transforms the revenge-bent Estella into the wicked Cruella. Starring Emma Stone in the titular role alongside Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser and Mark Strong, director Craig Gillespie brings the punk to his first Disney outing.
Proof that retelling-over-remaking is the more fruitful avenue, Disney brings Cruella into the 21st century with an origin tale that smart explores how Estella became her more infamous counterpart, offering shade and texture to the black-and-white clad Cruella. With screenwriters Dana Fox and Tony McNamara penning a story that enriches the original where so many live-action translations have failed to do so, this new interpretation feels like it has something to say and room to grow its characters - and most importantly, knows what it wants to be. Never taking itself too seriously, Cruella remembers to have its cake and eat it - resulting in a great deal of camp fun that audiences are bound to lap up.
Measured so well tonally, Cruella is a comedy, a crime film, a soap opera drama, a heist film and a fashion show all in one. While the sheer volume of genre and tone threatens to collapse the picture, the skill and competence of Craig Gillespie prevents it from doing so. Moving at some speed, remaining engaging and exciting in spite of the undoubtedly bloated 134 minute runtime, the anarchic attitude and punk power provides a refreshing change to the Disney universe, with Gillespie's artistic outlook doing more than simply igniting this effort with a fire of its own - it shows the potential these films have when a capable director is trusted in the driving seat to execute their own vision.
Channeling a fabulous, striking intensity that makes Estella as equally compelling a figure as Cruella, the film owes so much to Emma Stone, who entertains with a manic swagger and energy that gives her a leading role to truly sink her teeth into. Leaning into the camp offered by Glenn Close's interpretation while dialling down the pantomime farce of it in favour or something with a little more depth and edge, it showcases a new and exciting side to the ever-reliable actress that demonstrates even greater versatility. Likewise, Emma Thompson chews the scenery like her life (and paycheque) depends on it, with deliciously dark and delightful results. Stone and Thompson going head-to-head is endlessly thrilling, with the picture revelling in their intense chemistry and showdown.
There is one other person who deserves to be named as one of Cruella's MVPs. Jenny Beavan creates a strong dozen-plus of the most memorable and jaw-dropping outfits the screen has seen in some time, combining punk chic and period, with a splash of fantasy for a rotating wardrobe of astonishing looks. While very much required in a film set so firmly in the fashion industry, Beavan goes above and beyond in assembling extraordinary looks that are not only look the part but enhance the storytelling power too. Indeed, this brilliant costuming is reflective of the film's overall aesthetic, production design and soundtrack: so wonderfully considered, so visually dazzling and so cohesively drawn. It's really quite wonderful.
Cruella's anarchist attitude takes a sledgehammer to Disney's fairytale facade and in turn delivers their most refreshing and exciting effort in some time. A beautifully-designed, fantastically-soundtracked and deliciously-acted piece of entertainment that packs a punch, Cruella serves as proof that these live-action interpretations can indeed be exciting event filmmaking instead of creative bankruptcy. It's not perfect but it is fun, entertaining and camp - all the great things that cinema can be.