The film opens with a young Maleficent exploring an enchanted forest/swamp called the Mores (spelling?). The special effects are top notch when it comes to the world surrounding Maleficent. Popping, vibrant colors. Seeing it on an IMAX screen in 3D just really made you feel like you were in the Mores. This is when we are introduced to the new back story for Maleficent. Maleficent meets a young boy (who turns out to be a young King Stefan, but more on that later). The two quickly fall for each other.
Quite a few years pass when Stefan returns to the Mores to see Maleficent. Now this is when things get a little sticky. *some spoilers to follow, but nothing huge*. Maleficent is overjoyed that Stefan came back to her. They fall “madly in love”. While sitting on a ledge overlooking the Mores, Stefan hands Maleficent something to drink. Within seconds she is asleep. Yes, you read that correctly. Stefan “roofies” Maleficent, only to chop her wings off once she is asleep. Sounds a little date rape-y if you ask me. I’m sure it goes right over little kids heads, but I’m also sure the adults picked up on it. This type of situation isn’t something Disney would normally tackle. I’ll come back to this point later.
Stefan cuts Maleficent’s wings off to trick the King into believing Maleficent is dead. The reward for completing such a task? Stefan becomes the new King.
Another time jump. King Stefan is married, and they just had a baby. Sound familiar? This next scene was one of the most magical in the whole movie. As a kid you remember watching the christening scene in the animated movie. Now just picture it with live action characters. It was like the animated movie had come to life in the realest way possible. Word for word, movement for movement. It was brilliant. Here is where we finally get to see Angelina Jolie in all her Maleficent glory, and it is nothing short of amazing, magical, phenomenal, epic, iconic.
The movie continues to be everything it could be. My favorite scenes were the ones between Maleficent and a young Aurora (played by one of Angelina Jolie’s children).
The rest of the movie is equally as good as everything before it. My only complaint would be that it seemed a bit rushed. With a 97 minute run time, you can’t help but imagine what they could have done with an extra 20-30 minutes. I didn’t want this movie to end. I’ve been following the film since it was first announced a few years ago and I was so so so so satisfied. It really was everything you could want from a retelling of one of the most iconic movie characters of all time.
Final Thoughts: DO NOT WAIT FOR THE DVD! Go see this in theaters! IMAX 3D if possible. Angelina Jolie is perfection. Enjoy it while it lasts, because it’s over in the blink of an eye.
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
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