Disney's Cruella DVD

If you think that this is movie is just another awful sequel to the wonderful 1961 animated and 1997 live-action Disney versions of Dodie Smith's brilliant “101 Dalmations” then you couldn't be more wrong – for this movie is a terrifically refreshing, fast-paced and highly original turn on the iconic Cruella de Vil. Brilliantly scripted as an ingenious tale of her own background history, this extraordinary movie has more layers than a twelve-layer chocolate cake – especially as the “real villainess” is Cruella's Nemesis, the Baroness von Hellham. Indeed, in spite of the constant unexpected twists whilst one delightful scene quickly flips to another, the viewer is never confused as everything magically seems to fit together. Of course the script is littered with loop-holes and ridiculous likelihoods but, as a dark surreal movie, we gladly accept all this nonsense with the same sense of reality as when dreaming at night whilst still knowing we are only dreaming. More than anything, this powerful movie is a staggeringly sumptuous banquet of surreal delights. In fact, there isn't a single moment or spoken line in this ultra-clever movie that isn't an outright fascinating gem. I usually take three hours to watch a good two hour movie on dvd because of the urge to fully appreciate great moments with instant replays – but this movie is so RICH in scrumptious delicacies that it took me THREE NIGHTS to watch from beginning to end ! No wonder for, whilst the costume, hair and make-up departments won accolades galore for the gorgeous fashion galas and dresses, all the interior background shots are also a feast of fascinating detail. The music – part original score and part selected pop song favourites – meanwhile perfectly heightens the mood of each scene whilst remaining refreshingly various. Likewise stars Emma Stone and Emma Thompson deliver the perfect and unforgettable young Cruella and Baroness.

Great film, 👍 good family fun,

One or two reviews almost put me off either buying or watching this one, however, as a life-long Disney fan I decided to give it a go, so glad I did, the film was both compelling viewing and so often funny, a movie that all the family will i'm sure happily watch. Telling the tale of Estelle a disruptive yet talented young lady who wickedly becomes an orphan whilst still very young. Believing it was her own fault she goes on the run ending up in London where she meets Horace and Jasper who lived on the streets surviving as Oliver Twist like characters pick- pocketing, the three become friends growing-up together. 10 years on, for Estella's (Emma Stone) birthday Jasper (Joel Fry) and Horace ( Paul Walter Hauser ) have got their friend the present of a job at a leading ffashion house hoping that the keen budding young fashion designer can carve a career there (the job was a little messy however) ntil after a night of drinking Estella trashes a window-display at the store and waking up among the debri. That morning leading fashion-icon the very arrogant and bossy Baroness von Hellman: (Emma Thompson) arrives at the store and see's the remains of the window-display, likes it and immediately offers Estella a job at the leading fashion house she runs. The Baroness is well known for claiming the creations designed by her team as her own work, including now, Estella's designs. Fed up with the Baronesses attitude, Estella sets out with the help of her friends to upstage the Baroness in every sense now calling herself Cruella a nickname given to her by her mum in years gone by. Cruella learns of long held secrets with the help of the Baroness's butler John (Mark Strong&) The competitive angle turns into revenge for Cruella and a determination to bring down her nemesis by the Baroness. Great fun, Great watch.

This is a fascinating reimagining of Disney's 101 Dalmatians and it bears little resemblance to the original. Instead, we get a combination of The Devil Wears Prada meets Oliver Twist. It is more adult than perhaps a Disney fan would expect so it is not for young children. What you do get is a great movie, well directed with strong actors and amazing visuals. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are superb, as are most of the cast. This is very much a stylised Disney movie with a heavy dose of fashion, style and anti-hero humour. The loss of one star is simply because the experience is much better on the big screen and this is a blockbuster out of the Disney stables. Watch out for the stellar acting of Emma Stone towards the end.

Surprisingly good stand alone prequel - not the same old story but a very different clever one!

My granddaughter wanted to watch this film. I was sceptical but really enjoyed it. It has a great soundtrack too.

Good

Fab film, great story line and fantastic actors.