Original review, this text is different from that.
@herosik/bezspoilerowa-recenzja-cruella
Hive have somekind problem with screens today, so... https://imageupload.io/g/JN8RZtBXsh
When I wrote about this film a few months ago, I gave him no hope. Anyway, not only me - many people who have definitely different tastes from mine, spoke about "Cruella" even more critically than me. We didn't believe this movie could be a success. Especially that Disney is responsible for it, which despite the very good MCU (yes, I don't like this universe anymore, but they cannot be denied success in presenting the characters, popularity and earnings), it still remains a typical corporation governed by order, PG-13 and, above all, Excel indicators. We did not believe that it was possible to make a movie about Cruella, an antagonist who did not have much potential for her solo product. Anyway, to be honest, regardless of the character, it usually doesn't make sense. Why? Because such characters are important only for the needs of a given animation - they are to dynamize the action, add problems to positive characters, thanks to them they are to learn something or understand and consolidate certain (usually simple, so that children do not have problems with understanding them) values. We were wrong, however, because, as "Cruella" showed, you can create an interesting production for both older and younger audiences, which is supposed to show a rather insignificant past.
This movie is good both as a stand-alone production and as a prequel. You can watch it without knowing the iconic Disney animation, I even consider it superfluous. From what I can see from the opinions on the Internet, although maybe my research was too short, my opinion belongs to the minority. I mean seeing "Cruella" as a prequel. According to most of the people I've read, the main character's motivation, or rather the writers' idea, was stupid. However, I think otherwise - the events related to the Dalmatians (I will not say what, because the spoiler) were so sad that they could cause lifelong trauma and hatred towards these animals in the young heroine. I'm not saying this is normal - yes, her reaction is overly exaggerated, but these kinds of mistakes can be made by any of us. For example, Elton John, about whom I wrote in 1 of the previous texts, i.e. constantly returning to the past and insistent scratching of old wounds that would have healed if it were not for our behavior (I know something about this, because I committed myself and I still repeat this mistake sometimes) . Or another example about the same persona - doing everything in spite of others, feeding your wronged ego, developing it to gigantic proportions. This is how it is with us humans that we often do not notice our negative behavior and we tend to exaggerate or take extreme actions. But to be objective, I agree with the people saying that there was no need for a prequel to "Cruella". As one of the Polish YouTubers and film critics, Ichabod, rightly pointed out, Disney could easily "sell" this movie as such an alternative version of events. Kind of like the multiverse we know from Marvel movies. it would have been better if Disney had advertised this movie as an alternate version of the events. You don't have to be very perceptive to see some differences from the 1996 painting. For example, two of her helpers look clearly different from those we met in "Cruella". Perhaps in the second part we will say goodbye to them, and the anti-heroine will meet two stupid guys to kill the feeling of sadness? After all, they are actually the only loved ones that Cruella knows. Apart from that, the action of the film takes place in a different historical period and reality than the events in "101 Dalmatians". I don't consider it an inconsistency though, IMO can be excused, it's a regular teen movie, after all, so you can turn a blind eye to it.
The beginning of the film is ... the beginning of the main character's life. This one stood out from an early age - she had her characteristic hair, the character of a mean and mean girl, generally from an early age she fought for hers and did not let herself be pushed around. Initially, her life is not successful, but with time there are more and more joyful elements that add positive colors to her gray life. That is, she makes friends who, like her, have not had much love from their parents and life. Moreover, fate gives her a unique chance to make her biggest dream come true. It is about becoming a fashion designer, she wants to work for the best specialist in this profession, i.e. the Baroness. Although it is difficult to say anything positive about her, the fact is that she has a unique advantage - she sets trends in the fashion world, journalists write about her, and her clothes are admired by wealthy people in England. By chance, Cruell gets her attention, and then she gets a job offer, where she quickly gains experience, climbs the ladder ... At this point, I'm done. The script is not very original and I have seen it several times (sometimes in better, sometimes worse form), but it is so good that I do not want to reveal the script to you. And above all, for the first time in a very long time, I do not mind the process of mass production of films by Disney. Perhaps if I watched the other prequels from the Mickey Mouse studio, I would see more clichéd and repetitive elements, but if I did not notice them (and as you know me, you know that I can be meticulous in this regard), it probably is not so bad about it respect.
Is this the beginning of a change in Disney's approach to live action movies? I will not prolong it - no, I think that "Cruella" is more a coincidence than a deliberate action of the studio. Sure, I can be wrong and maybe Disney has just decided to make a change in their mentality, but ... For me to believe it, I would have to be infatuated, like with Marvel from 5, 6 years ago. Maybe I would still believe it if it was about the Marvel universe - there was none, Kevin Feige earned huge money for the Mickey Mouse corporation, so he has enormous freedom of action. Unfortunately, even he has his hands tied by PG-13 and Disney's overzealous image of being family friendly. Plus, as I reported recently on the news, Disney is gradually reversing all the good changes that the Marvel movie boss has made. The corporate decision chain (which was kicked out by Kevin) returns, Excel and cool calculation get more options again, and Disney squeezes every Intellectual Property like a lemon. Especially after the pandemic, when every penny counts. As Marvel's productions have shown, it is enough to involve good creators who will do well-known and pleasant things for fans, and they will shower them with their money.
However, you have to be a fair commentator. While I've been criticizing more than praising Disney lately, they had some good ideas. If Bob Chapek learns a few things from Robert Iger, checks reviews of "Cruella", previous Disney films and draws conclusions, he can shape the next productions. It is possible that the subsequent paintings will deviate from the original just as much. Which would be good for both the Mickey Mouse corporation and the audience. Nostalgia is a powerful tool, but not one company has been disappointed at one point. For example, Disney just on the occasion of the final part of "Star Wars". People at some point will either have too much of it and won't pay any further, or the studio will spend too much money and won't be able to make money from it. Besides, it is a slow brand death, from which you can get even more money and even expand it with new parts. However, you have to have an idea for it, like the creators of "The Mandalorian", who perfectly showed (as opposed to movies) how you can combine all known elements with something new. Without losing fame or getting too much criticism, but a lot of praise. Of course, not every concept can get 3 or 4 movies, but 1 or 2? Calmly. After all, the sequel to "Cruella" is already being created. I don't know if Disney was prepared for it - i.e. for profit for sure, but for the positive reception of the audience? May only the creators have an idea for it and it would not be forced, as in the case of the new "Black Panther". And most of all, I hope Disney will not interfere with the production process of this film.
It's definitely good for the camera work, the styling for that time and place, the Emma Stone & Emma Thompson acting, and Cruella's portrayal in the second half of the film where she causes problems for one character. I liked the long shots showing the main character's first place of work and many other scenes, such as the final stage concert. The styling for the bygone era was good and authentic, at least from my poorly educated perspective in this matter. I would venture to say that it turned out as well as it did on the series "The Queen's Gambit". As for Cruella, as I wrote in the introduction, I thought I would laugh at it more often than take it seriously. Her behavior is not childish, as we have been used to by previous Disney films. Of course, this is not the "Joker" level due to age restrictions, but for the PG-13 it turned out flawlessly. The anti-heroine's behavior is not unreal, and I can believe that a real person could apply similar, shocking behavior. When it comes to acting, I have nothing to complain about. Each actor and actress played at least at an acceptable level, and the main character and antagonist even at a very good level. Both are persuasive, charismatic, portray their emotions perfectly, especially Emma Thompson, whose British accent was a feast for my ear. I don't like this nation, but I do like their accent, especially on a bitchy woman like the Baroness.
As for the summary, ... "Cruella" is a surprisingly successful production! I practically do not know other productions of this type from the Mickey Mouse studio, because I know more or less what to expect from them + I do not want to earn Disney (as well as any corporation that brazenly preys on its clients and takes all the money from them), but. .. I would not be lying if I said that it belongs to the better than the weaker. It is difficult for me to say whether today's children will enjoy it if they are unfamiliar with the 1996 movie, but my generation should not complain. Well, unless you don't like Disney even more than I do, then your opinion may be radically different from mine. Personally, I think this is more than "just a good movie" and I don't think you would have wasted your time. Well, unless you have something else to watch, then you can leave "Cruella" for another occasion. I rate it on 8/10. Some of you may shake your heads and be surprised that I rated this production so highly. It's hard, I have to live with it, but comparing "Cruella" to similar movies, I think that this assessment is self-defeating.