We all know the story of "Sleeping Beauty". A young girl is cursed by an evil witch, in which she is to be pricked by the needle of a spindle, causing her to fall into a deep death like sleep. Only the kiss of true love can break this spell. Disney's new live action movie, Maleficent, retells the story giving it a slight spin. The hour and a half movie tells the story from Maleficent's (played brilliantly by Angelina Jolie) point of view.
Maleficent offers a look into the backstory of the character and shows her as a meerly misunderstood orphan farie. Her childhood is explored as a young girl who falls in love with a boy who stumbles upon her portion of a divided kingdom. As the relationship between the mortal boy and winged fairy grew, so did the fact that they were of separate worlds. Greed overcomes the young man, and maliciously de-wings his friend while she slept in order to claim sucessor to the king, who vows that whoever venges the attack on him will be king.
Jolie, who is known for many films such as Mr. and Mrs. Smith (playing opposite Brad Pitt), and Laura Croft: Tomb Raider, may have starred in her best role yet. Her performance as the title character gives audiences a brilliant insight to the many facets of Maleficent, showing that evil is not always as it seems.
Maleficent offers wonderfully detailed visual effects, bringing to life creatures of the enchanted forest (The Moors). Notable visual effects include the animation of the three good fairies, Thistlewit (Juno Temple), Knotgrass (Imelda Staunton), and Flittle (Lesley Manville). Princess Aurora was brought to life by the beautiful Elle Fanning. Younger versions of the princess are portrayed by Ella Purnell and Jolie's daughter, Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt. In an interview that I saw, Jolie explains that since young Vivienne was comfortable around Jolie with her full Maleficent costume and makeup, it was only natural to have her daugher portray the role.
Maleficent is now playing in theatres everywhere. It is rated PG for some battle violence.
MOVIE
REVIEW
Written by
Patrick Monroe