Maleficent (review)

DIRECTOR: Robert Stromberg

STARRING: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Sam Riley

GENRE: Fantasy/Action/Disney

RATING: M

RUNNING TIME: 97 minutes

Maleficent is a reworking of the Sleeping Beauty story. It follows Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) as a young fairy who befriends human Stefan (Sharlto Copley), the pair eventually falling in love. However, Stefan’s ambition drives the two apart and when the old and dying king promises his throne to whoever can kill Maleficent, Stefan betrays her trust, drugging her and stealing her wings. In retaliation Maleficent curses his daughter, Aurora (Elle Fanning), to prick her finger on a spinning wheel on her 16^th birthday and fall into a death like sleep from which only true love’s kiss can save her, which Maleficent does not believe exists.

This film is about the relationship between Maleficent and Aurora. Angelina Jolie is a wonderful Maleficent, bringing charm and humanity to a previously two-dimensional Disney character. Elle Fanning as Aurora does a good job playing a character who is little more than beauty and optimism. Their relationship is fun to watch on screen, particularly Maleficent’s unwilling encounters with the younger Aurora. The pair is benefited by the addition of Diaval (Sam Riley) to form an unlikely, yet charming familial trio.

Maleficent is showing in 3D and understandably so. It is very visually based from the mostly animated Moors – where the fairies, pixies, trolls and other creatures live – to Maleficent’s magic and wings to the grandeur of the King’s Castle. The aesthetics of this film, though not particularly original, are a highlight. Similarly, the costuming is wonderfully created with clear inspiration from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty but also a nice realism and practicality where sometimes costume design goes overboard (particularly in relation to royalty).

Maleficent strikes a strange balance between a twisted fairy tale and a Disney film for kids. As much as the trailer made the film out to be dark and full of battles, there was a surprising amount of humour and light-heartedness to be found in the movie.

The inclusion of the Prince Charming (Phillip) character was something the film could have done without, though if you see Maleficent you’ll understand why they included him.

Maleficent is a fun, well-made and enjoyable film. A clever imagining of Maleficent’s story. The balance between fairy tale and darker fantasy was well-handled, making Maleficent something the whole family could enjoy (perhaps not the younger kids though).

My Rating: 3 ½ out of 5

Until next time.