# Cruella was well done \[spoilers after first post\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies, disney-hulu\ **Created:** [June 13, 2021, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175 "2021-06-13T16:02:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/1 "2021-06-13T16:02:12Z")
We watched it streaming on Disney+ last night. I was impressed with it. The soundtrack is great, loads of hits from the 60s and a few from the 70s. The music is used well. The Emmas did a great job with their roles. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are almost always good anyway. The movie was well paced at a 2:14 run time. So it is set in 1970s London and shows you Cruella’s origin story. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/2 "2021-06-13T16:44:05Z")
Well I wasn’t planning on watching it but you have peeked my interest and I do have Disney. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/3 "2021-06-13T16:47:22Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > So it is set in 1970s London and shows you Cruella’s origin story. - We already knew she had a spotted past. ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/4 "2021-06-14T01:47:57Z")
I liked it a lot. I have read some negative reviews where the complaint seemed to be “We liked Cruella as a two-dimensional flatly evil character. It sucks giving her any depth or complexity!!”. Criticisms like these are ridiculous. It was well done, lots of fun, amazing performances. Emma Thompson looked like she was having a ball! Trying out a new-fangled taser device on the servants: “I could do this all day!!” 😂 ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/5 "2021-06-14T03:28:14Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > I liked it a lot. I have read some negative reviews where the complaint seemed to be “We liked Cruella as a two-dimensional flatly evil character. It sucks giving her any depth or complexity!!”. Criticisms like these are ridiculous. It was well done, lots of fun, amazing performances. I concur 100% with this. I know it seemingly contradicts the original story everyone knows just a bit, but I would really be curious at what the _101 Dalmatians_ that follows this film would be like, it sure would need a fascinating new twist to it. I don’t think they have plans to do that, though. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/6 "2021-06-14T03:39:23Z")
Are you saying this one does NOT deserve the maximum Rotten Tomatoes? I saw a preview of the origin story and almost pissed myself laughing so hard. Does the rest of the movie do justice to the origin? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/7 "2021-06-14T04:10:40Z")
I haven’t watched the movie, but I have watched the [pitch meeting](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ccf9G9Hx1i4). ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/8 "2021-06-14T04:30:19Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > I saw a preview of the origin story and almost pissed myself laughing so hard. The clip that went around is very much out of context and being misinterpreted, and certainly doesn’t reflect the tone of the rest of the movie. It’s worth a watch, and you may very well be surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/9 "2021-06-15T00:43:20Z")
Another thing that was a lot of fun: the costume design was incredible. Even the dogs had costumes! Sheer go-for-broke, over-the-top glee. And in addition to the Emmas, who were fabulous, the supporting cast were amazing as well. Even the dogs. I didn’t see the clip so couldn’t say how it related to the movie. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2021, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/10 "2021-06-18T02:00:51Z")
I really liked the movie as well. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was low key anxiety throughout the movie that Buddy and / or Wink wouldn’t survive. They both did, so I was happy in the end. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2021, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/11 "2021-06-19T04:02:19Z")
Eldest China bambina is visiting for 2 weeks on a break after 3 years of film school in LA. They LOVE horrid movies such as Cats (saw that one multiple times in the theater). Maybe we will watch this one together sometime in the next week or so. That said, you make it sound like this one might not satisfy such a craving for rotten tomato-ish flicks? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2021, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/12 "2021-06-19T04:43:59Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > That said, you make it sound like this one might not satisfy such a craving for rotten tomato-ish flicks? Put it this way: For a lot of people, I am confident it will fit very appropriately into this thread: > [@Movies and TV you had a low opinion of going in, but were pleasantly surprised by](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-tv-you-had-a-low-opinion-of-going-in-but-were-pleasantly-surprised-by/943329): > > Having taken one look at the Kuzco plushies for The Emperor’s New Groove, I decided beyond a shadow of a doubt that I didn’t want to see it. My sister Ellie saw it, loved it, and told me I’d love it, too, if I gave it a chance. I finally caved about a year after it came out, and… I was in stitches the whole time. It became one of my favorite movies of all-time. She did the same kinda thing with me and Avatar: The Last Airbender. I had no interest in watching it, but she forced me to at leas… ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2021, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/13 "2021-06-19T21:27:03Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I would really be curious at what the _101 Dalmatians_ that follows this film would be like, it sure would need a fascinating new twist to it. I don’t think they have plans to do that, though. Post credits did give us Pongo and Perdita. But they were gifts from Cruella. Roger was also writing THE song. Not sure how all that will work out (provided they even try, it might be nothing more than an Easter egg.). ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2021, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/14 "2021-06-19T22:28:01Z")
I watched it on D+. I was a little annoyed I had to pay a premium. At the time, I thought I was just paying 2.99. it wasn’t till the next day I found out I paid 29.99! That will teach me to order stuff without my glasses. Anyway I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. And yes the soundtrack is one of the best I’ve heard in the long long time. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/15 "2021-08-31T17:46:00Z")
Cruella is on straight up Disney+ now (no additional charge). We watched it over the weekend and loved it. ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2021, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/16 "2021-09-01T00:15:18Z")
As it is now on regular D+, I just got finished watching it. It was _much_ better than it had any right to be. It didn’t really make much sense as the origin story for the character in _101 Dalmatians_, but that’s ok, it was a genuinely entertaining movie on its own terms. I’m not quite sure how they pulled this off, but they managed to mash up _101 Dalmatians_, _The Devil Wears Prada_, _The Italian Job_, _The Count of Monte Cristo_, _The Mod Squad_, and a few other bits and pieces, and it all _worked_. I am left wondering, though… …were they intentionally self-parodying as a Disney movie with both a parent’s death to open the movie _and_ a major character dying by plunging off of a cliff _and_ combining those two often-mocked Disney tropes into one? If so, it didn’t really fit the tone of the rest of the movie. If not, that’s kind of a bizarre lack of self-awareness in a movie that otherwise seems _very_ aware of what it’s doing. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2021, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/17 "2021-09-01T00:30:19Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I know it seemingly contradicts the original story everyone knows just a bit, but I would really be curious at what the _101 Dalmatians_ that follows this film would be like, it sure would need a fascinating new twist to it. I don’t think they have plans to do that, though. Seems that they may have those plans [after all](https://gizmodo.com/emma-stone-sign-on-for-a-cruella-sequel-1847487835). ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2021, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/18 "2021-09-01T02:42:29Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > I liked it a lot. I have read some negative reviews where the complaint seemed to be “We liked Cruella as a two-dimensional flatly evil character. It sucks giving her any depth or complexity!!”. Criticisms like these are ridiculous. It was well done, lots of fun, amazing performances. I felt it made Cruella more three dimensional without detracting in the least from the fact that she’s a certifiable sociopath. ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/19 "2021-09-01T18:06:12Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > I felt it made Cruella more three dimensional without detracting in the least from the fact that she’s a certifiable sociopath. I liked the movie on its own terms, but I don’t agree with this read. She’s not really sociopathic, nor is she a villain, even a complex one. She takes what in real life would be extreme measures. But she’s not really violent, she doesn’t physically harm anyone, and she has the standard Hero Arc of becoming obsessed with her mission and shutting out the people who care about her, then backtracking, apologizing, and re-befriending her friends. She obviously actually cares about Jasper and Horace. And her dog. And Horace’s dog. And her adoptive mom. And even, eventually, the dalmatians. My “complaint” isn’t that the movie gives depth and complexity to a villain, it’s that the Cruella in this movie isn’t a villain, and she’s simply a different character than the Cruella in the original animated movie. Just to be clear, I put “complaint” in scare quotes because I don’t actually care about that issue - I enjoyed this movie on its own terms, and I didn’t care that it’s not actually in continuity with the animated movie it’s (very) loosely based on. But if someone came into this movie expecting and wanting to see the origin story of the Cruella character that appears in _101 Dalmatians_, I can definitely see why they’d be disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2021, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruella-was-well-done-spoilers-after-first-post/944175/20 "2021-09-01T20:22:04Z")
Saw it the other day and thought it was great. So much eye candy with the fantastic set pieces and costuming More memorable than the recently viewed Suicide Squad which was okay but forgot about a day later. If I had any complaints they would be that a couple of my favorite supporting characters felt underdeveloped (Jasper, Artie), and that you could see the final cliff push twist coming from a mile away.