Return to Cinema 2021 - Cruella

Cruella is maybe my favourite Walt Disney Pictures of all time. Also Emma Stone is chucking a Nicole Kidman by finally choosing decent, fun roles! Emma Stone started strong with roles in Easy A but films like Aloha and Movie 43. Her role in The Favourite started Stone on her journey back up.

Alongside Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Mark Strong also feature in Cruella.

Based on the character Cruella de Vil from Dodie Smith's 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians, the film acts as a prequel. Cruella is the third live-action adaptation in the 101 Dalmatians franchise.  So it's not hard to believe after walking out of the film, a sequel is currently in development. Even Disney is always open to a continuation.

The film is set in London during the punk rock movement of the 1970s. Cruella revolves around Estella Miller, an aspiring fashion designer, as she explores the path that will lead her to become a notorious up and coming fashion designer known as Cruella de Vil.

Cruella premiered in Los Angeles on May 18, 2021, the first major red carpet event since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Like other recent Disney films, it opened theatrically and simultaneously available on Disney+ with Premier Access on May 28. 

The film has grossed  close to $130 million worldwide thus far. Whilst receiving praise from critics for direction, the performances (particularly Stone, Thompson, and Hauser), costume design, production values, and soundtrack.

So if you have some spare time this (long) weekend (in NSW) get to the cinema to see this. To be honest this weekend, the cinemas when I have gone have been buzzing. Are cinemas finally back? With a new Fast & Furious film almost here, it is finally Return to Cinema 2021!

4 Stars. Some points off for the films length. It is well over two hours. Make sure you go to the toilet first!