Cruella Review

It's been more than a year since I've been able to go to the movies, but finally, on May 29, 2021, it feels good to say that I was able to. I was also waiting for just the right movie as my first foray back into the theater, and Cruella is just the movie to bring me back! I had a blast with this movie enjoying the journey with each twist and turn! 

I tend to like characters that are pegged as the antagonist, but really have a story there to show why they are the way they are. It also shows that these characters might not necessarily be antagonists as a whole, but are protagonists of their own stories, and Cruella presents that perfectly. For over a decade, Emma Stone has been one of my absolute favorite actresses. Her performance here was astounding, charismatic, and simply spellbinding at every turn! Watching her transform from Estella to Cruella in this movie is simply incredible! The difference in her personality through each stage of the movie shows her tremendous range as an actress, and is indicative of why I have become a big fan of her stellar work over the years. She puts her all into her characters, and she made both Estella and Cruella two unique characters that we both root for, because her ambition to achieve her dreams are done in such a fun rebellious way. Estella and Cruella represent the yin and yang in all of us, and represent two different parts of her life as well. Estella is her timid, but kind, honest, intelligent and innovative yin, while Cruella is her captivating, cunning, and charismatic yang...with a potential killer instinct! Both sides matter, and both sides work hard to create the icon that has become a huge part of Disney lore, and pop culture as a whole, and it's all through the brilliant performance by Emma Stone. Throughout this movie, she blends dark comedy and drama showing how layered the character is. This was probably my favorite performance since Margot Robbie in I, Tonya in 2017 so far, and that's an interesting observation as Cruella was directed by Craig Gillespie, who also directed the former. 

While Cruella is definitely Emma Stone's show, the rest of the cast adds to each part of the movie to make it an incredible ensemble piece. Emma Thompson gives a great villainous performance here as the Baroness. Thompson always has been an actress I felt gets underrated in the discussion of great actresses, and it's no exception here as she really pushed a lot of the dramatic turns. I thought the chemistry between her and Stone was exceptional here, and really adds to the narrative with each scene they share. One of the most important aspects of this movie is the dynamic between Estella/Cruella and the Baroness, but another part of the movie that's just as important is the proof that Cruella has a big heart and that's seen with her friendships with the lovable Horace and Jasper, who you might remember from the animated movie. The duo of  Paul Walter Hauser and Joel Fry was great here. It reminded me of Abbott and Costello movies I used to like when I was younger. Hauser's Horace would be Costello, while Fry's Jasper would be Abbott. Watching Estella/Cruella, Horace, and Jasper pull off fun heists as an unstoppable trio is entertaining at every turn, and provides so much excitement for the audience selling well choreographed action sequences, as well as in the moment thinking to get to the next step of the angle.  Cruella constantly shows that she will do whatever it takes to protect those around her, especially those two, even if she sometimes loses track of her focus, and gets lost in her rage. However, she always finds a way to pull herself out of it, and a lot of it is because she always remembers those who are there for her. I always see that in her character, and it's amplified through different turning points of the movie. 

While the cast, writing, and overall story is excellent, some of the most impressive aspects of this movie are in the costumes, make-up, and music. The dresses are gorgeous from the color designs to the way the fabric is cut. It just looks amazing, and when characters rock the dresses or outfits, the clothes act as living, breathing characters due to the colorful charisma of the character making them. The make-up adds to Estella's initial transition from milquetoast to maniacal. The soundtrack proves the importance of music in movies as pop songs of the 1960's & 1970's add to personality quirks and tweaks as well as the world of fashion and the showmanship present in it. The colors, sounds, and lighting/darkness in scenes from fashion shows to heist scenes to dramatic monologues to rivalries, and everything in between makes a complete film here. 

With a phenomenal performance by Emma Stone, a great story filled with twists, gorgeous costume and fashion design, a colorful palette, clever action sequences, excellent soundtrack, a brilliant blend of drama and comedy, as well as an overall impressive presentation by Disney, this movie gets a 5/5 from me. 

Shadow & Bone Review

 Every now and then, there's a new series that immediately grips your attention leaving you wanting more, especially in the fantasy genre. The fantasy genre is always intriguing, because it's exciting to see what each universe entails, and what these characters are all about. After viewing all eight episodes of an incredible first season, I knew I had to write a formal review for Shadow & Bone, because I am already so enamored with this world. I know this world is based on a series of books by Leigh Bardugo. I wasn't familiar with them at all, but the trailer looked enticing enough to give the show a glance, and I'm absolutely glad I did. 

Where many shows borrow from western civilization, this universe borrows from the czarist Russia era, and I think that's well presented throughout the show. I like the Grisha plot centering around magic and controlling the elements around them. There's a fear of Grisha, but at the same time, Grisha also protect each of the territories from this ominous presence known as The Fold! Making The Fold a living, breathing darkness is absolutely incredible, and the Volcra represent the shadows over our shoulder when we're walking in the dark. I think making darkness a physical threat is truly creative, and this presents the core setting for all of our characters to converge towards. 

Essentially, there's two big storylines going on in here: Alina Starkov recognizing who and what she is, as well as her connection to both her best friend, Mal, as well as General Kirigan, who has a lot more going on with him beneath the surface, and the fascinating Crow's and their adventurous mission. Both stories are told brilliantly, presenting excellent character development throughout each of the eight episodes, while also blending both together in a clever interwoven manner that works and connects this Grishaverse on a grander scale. 

Jessie Mei Li's performance as Alina Starkov presents a well written heroine who starts off in a timid, incredulous, and apprehensive manner as this cartographer thrust into the bigger picture. Alina is unaware of her importance to Ravka, and the territories that make up the whole of the land. She has gotten her share of discrimination being part Shu, but that uniqueness about her is what makes her even more appealing as a character. She's had to deal with being the underdog for so long, and uses the frustration of how people treated her to become a confident, strong, woman bringing light into this darkness both Grisha and non-Grisha both literally and figuratively. Watching Alina transform into the powerful saint over the course of the episodes is amazing to watch! I love watching her confidence grow as she becomes stronger physically and emotionally as the larger than life Sun Summoner! The aura of the stag shines bright within her, and the strength of the light she brings upon Ravka is the spark of hope that was needed. Her connection with General Kirigan is a great story to watch unfold. Ben Barnes was a phenomenal casting choice for this role as he presents a cerebral character that has a Machiavellian mentality to control all of the light and dark around him. He may be considered an antagonist, but I think he's also a layered character where audiences can understand his motivations. The light vs. dark motif is the main theme of the story, and presented brilliantly through both of these characters based on the strength of their performances. 

I think one of the biggest highlights of the show is The Crow's story. They are all rebels with a cause, and each of them has a great back story that makes the audience care about them more. They're all such cool characters. They all have this swagger to them that makes them easy to like. Led by the cynical Kaz Brekker, these three cause mischief where ever they go, but at the same time, all the mischief caused is for the benefit of their bond. They might be thieves, and not above causing a little blood to flow, but they have such a connection between them that you root for them from their introduction to that final battle. Their story is highly connected to the big story with Alina Starkov, and I like watching how they end up weaving the story together. Freddy Carter does such an incredible job as the brooding leader of The Crow's. He is always thinking one step ahead of the competition. I love watching him move around with that cane with that sneer on his face ready to secure another win for The Crows. Kit Young's Jesper Fahey is the showboat of the group, and a perfect foil for Kaz's brooding personality. He provides some great lines, and watching his sharpshooting skills presents some awesome action sequences. It's such a fun performance. He's a  master sleuth with charm and fashion sense. Then, we have my favorite character of the show in Inej Ghafa. Amita Suman is the spy behind the scenes for The Crow's. Her mental strength, physical beauty with her Suli origins, acrobatic skills, and precision with weapons makes her an absolute bad ass. She's physically tough, and moves fast in a blur of blue to protect her boys. She's The Wraith after all.  She's the best fighter of the three, although, all three know how to physically get the advantage over an enemy. I also love how she maintains her serious demeanor even in the face of Kaz letting his cynicism down, and Jesper's making light of everything. It makes for great on screen chemistry between Suman, Carter, and and they never miss a beat selling how much all three care about each other, while also displaying how different all of their personalities are, and how amazing they work together despite their differences. 

The action sequences are excellent, particularly all the actions during the battle on the skiff. So many important and incredible moments happen here. Everything that led up to this battle was so well constructed, which made everything in this moment that much better as a whole. The action sequences were presented in such a beautiful, artistic manner that made everything look that much better, which says something about the visual effects crew of the show, which worked really hard to make this world a truly epic experience. Watching the magic of the Grisha vs. the firepower of guns is also an intriguing aspect of the show, making for unique battle sequences that pop on screen. A Grisha's graceful hand movements to halt bullets is a wonder to behold. The scenes at The Little Palace are a great example of how incredible the cinematography and overall presentation of the show is. All of the locations are breathtaking, especially when you see the enormity of the Little Palace, and the white, gold, and black exterior, and the bright, colorful interior. The building is a living interpretation of what our characters are going through. Nothing is quite as beautiful as the stag and it's antlers, though! I absolutely love the costumes as well. Each of the Grisha wears a color pertinent to their ability. I think the blue outfits look the best, especially on the female grisha like Zoya, who is another character I really liked played brilliantly by the beautiful Sujaya Dasgupta. The red outfits look great as well, and the fire magic from these characters are incredible to watch. 

Through amazing characters, great writing and character development, an incredible, diverse cast, and a unique fantasy story that has a lot of leverage, Shadow and Bone is one of the most refreshing entries into the fantasy genre and a series that I am looking forward to seeing more of.