Movie Review: Cruella - The Movie We Didn't Know We Needed?

Ok, now that Cruella has been out with Premier access on Disney+ (and theaters for those of you venturing into the theater world again) for a week, I feel it is safe to put my review out there.  I feel like a majority of people that I know have seen it too, so I think this is safe. 

Cruella - I honestly did NOT have high hopes.  When I saw the trailers I was a bit confused.  It felt like it was going the route of the Joker movies, which don't get me wrong, I love, but it just didn't feel very kid-friendly or "Disney."  Plus, I LOVE the 101 Dalmatians movies, they were staple movies of my childhood, so I was sort of like - WHY do we need this movie?  Are they going to ruin things for me? Well... here are my thoughts (as much as possible without a lot of spoilers).

Since I am on summer break, I decided what the heck, let's just get the movie on Disney+ (and for you nay-sayers about paying for the movies on Disney+, I often spent more at the theater, so now I get to stay home and see the movie over and over before others so, I'm cool with it!).  We ordered in some movie theater treats - including popcorn - man I've missed movie theater popcorn! If you are going to watch these movies at home, I highly suggest doing this, it just makes the experience so much better!

Food from Cinapolis Hamlin in Winter Garden

Cruella - currently on Disney+ with Premier Access $30

REVIEW
Ok, enough about food... time for my review. So as I originally was saying, I didn't really have high hopes, or really know what to expect with this movie.  The few previews I did see for this movie, I was expecting VERY dark, very adult. This movie is not that.  Disney, I LOVE you, but you did a terrible job advertising this movie!  The majority of the movie was not dark, I don't have children, but I would suspect this would be fine for them actually.  Maybe not super little kids, but for the most part, I think it would be fine.  

They did make Cruella pretty young in age, which I am not really sure why they made her so young because I feel she is definitely supposed to be older.  I think they helped give some background into her and why she is the way she is, which is always pretty cool.  I do feel like the movie showed a little psychology into her as well.  There are some little things in the movie that connect the dots for you like - oh, that's why she drives like a lunatic!  There were a few things I didn't like, such as adding Dalmatians into this movie.  I think they did that to appease viewers, but for someone like myself that loves 101 Dalmatians, I feel like they actually are messing with the storyline.  I liked learning about her dynamic with her two sidekicks and her love of fashion - which get ready - there's SO much fashion!   Plus, the music is amazing! 

(SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD)
They are definitely setting up this movie to go straight into another movie (keep watching after the credits and you'll see what I mean), which is exciting, but I think due to some liberties they made in this movie, it will change up things in the next one, which I imagine will be an updated 101 Dalmatians. 

In this version, Cruella does not smoke - which I heard Emma Stone had a lot of trouble with when it came to getting into character.  I can see why Disney made this decision, considering kids will probably watch this movie, but regardless I think Emma Stone did a fabulous job with this character.  Again, I do think they should have gone with someone a bit older, maybe even using Emma Thompson as Cruella instead of the Baroness, because she does give those Cruella vibes. 

Lastly, if you are expecting another Maleficent movie, this is not it. I feel like the Maleficent movies made her into a not-so-villain.  I'd say they did the very Disney thing in this movie that they pretty much do in all Disney movies. I'll leave it at that. 

RATING
I would give this movie an 8 or 9 out of 10.  It was VERY enjoyable.  The music was wonderful, the clothes were great, the acting was really fantastic, and it was the story we didn't know we needed.  I'm not big on watching movies again, but I'm pretty sure I'll be watching it again soon to see what little clues I didn't catch the first time. 

All reviews and opinions are my own - no one paid me to write my review.