MARIAH'S THOUGHTS on Maleficent (2014) Movie

Genre:
Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Rating:
PG
Run Time:
1 hr 38 mins
Release Date:
May 30, 2014
Distributor:
Walt Disney
Directed by:
Robert Stromberg
Screenplay by:
Linda Woolverton
Produced by:
Joe Roth, Sarah Bradshaw, Matt Smith, Palak Patel,
Don Hahn, and Angelina Jolie

Official Site:
http://movies.disney.com/maleficent

Plot Summary:
Explore the untold story of Disney's most iconic villain in this wickedly fun twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty. In an unforgiving mood after a neighboring kingdom threatens her forest, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) places an irrevocable curse on the king's newborn daughter, the Princess Aurora. But as the child grows, Maleficent finds herself becoming fond of the girl. And as the conflict between the two realms intensifies, Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land.

Cast:
Angelina Jolie as Maleficent
Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora
Sharlto Copley as King Stefan
Sam Riley as Diaval
Lesley Manville as Flittle
Imelda Staunton as Knotgrass
Juno Temple as Thistlewit

View the full cast & crew on IMDB

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Maleficent Character Posters

 

 

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Review:

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

A review long time coming, the 2014 adaptation of Sleeping Beauty left me excited and content. For those who have seen the film congratulations, if not; “Why haven’t you?” 

Maleficent is the revision of Sleeping Beauty that tells it from the “villains” perspective, showing us that character development has become crucial in contemporary stories telling. I felt Elle Fanning who plays Aurora is not heavily focus on. She had strong relevance but not as dominantly as one would think. As Aurora, she’s an angelic girl you can’t hate, whether it’s because of divine magic or just the beautiful, princess personality. The main character would be Maleficent; not just the evil queen like in the 1959 Disney film built on malicious intent. Angelina Jolie conveys the essence of the queen’s heart down to the very microscopic levels: regret, pain, rage, sorrow, and love. The movie holds a dark aura and the attributes of action, a light touch of comedy, and romance. It’s not a high tension, pupils dilate from anticipation movie but it is very heart warming.

Maleficent showed twist that may have been predictable to some but is definitely a movie to show the kids. The select messages that I had perceived from the film would be “You don’t need a prince to be happy,” “The past does not define you,” and “Some mistakes can’t be undone but they can be guided to become right.” A major message I loved from this film is that everyone has a story and actions have reasons behind them. Unlike my childhood, where you knew who was good and who was bad, Maleficent takes a paint brush and mixes black with white paint and vice versa. The “baddie” may not be evil and the “righteous” may not be just anymore. It takes compassion yet logic to understand everyone and peace can be achieved.

I give a Maleficent a four point five out of five stars. It’s ominous, wicked yet beautiful and redeeming. I felt a sense of empathy and love that rarely any other movie has given me.

My rating:

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Maleficent on DVD, Blu-Ray, and Digital HD will be available for purchase November 4, 2014!