Maleficent

By: Lisa Steinberg

Disney has a new darling, but this time she is both hero and evil all at once! Maleficent weaves the tale of a fairy creature who grows up living in the moors with so many exotic and mystical creatures like herself. They do not need a kingdom or ruler because they live in harmony. That all changes when Maleficent meets Stefan, a young human boy. The two quickly become friends and, eventually, friendship blossoms into more. It’s the first time in a very long while it seems that humans and creatures may bury the hatchet of hatred.

Unfortunately, Stefan had ambitions to be king and it kept him away from Maleficent for lengthy periods of time because of working for the current king. this king had ambitions of his own, he wanted to conquer the moors. Maleficent did not stand for that and she and the other moor creatures fiercely protected their home. When the king becomes badly injured after a battle with Maleficent, he tells his advisors if anyone kills Maleficent and avenges him, he will make them his successor and they can marry his daughter. Stefan (Sharlto Copley) uses this to his advantage and goes to see Maleficent. He tricks her and slips her something to make her sleep so that he may kill her. He ends up realizing he can’t go through with the murder, but the fool the king and move up in stature he cuts off Maleficent’s wings and presents them to the king as her body.

Stefan’s trick works and he eventually does succeed in becoming king. But in cutting off Maleficent’s wings, he turns her evil and se seethes with vengeance. When Maleficent learns that Stefan and the queen have had a baby, she leaves the moors and comes to see him. In the castle, Maleficent curses Stefan’s daughter, Aurora, that on her sixteenth birthday she will prick her finger on a spindle and go into a sleep like death forever. The only thing that can wake Aurora will be true love’s kiss. Stefan becomes mad with rage and worry and sends Aurora to live for sixteen years and a day with three fairies who pledge to take care of her. Stefan orders all spindles to be destroyed and their remnants to be locked away in the basement of his castle in order to protect Aurora.

Out in the countryside, the quirky and dim witted fairies do their best to care for Aurora, all the while Maleficent keeps a very close eye on her. Maleficent ends up secretly overseeing Aurora as she grows up and makes sure she is fed and kept safe. As Aurora becomes a young lady (Elle Fanning), Maleficent ends up loving Aurora and nurturing her and eventually her heart is softened by the girl. Maleficent decides she wants to revoke her curse, but even with all of her magical powers she just can’t. Meanwhile, Stefan prepares for Maleficent’s return his castle and he will stop at nothing to make her pay for what she has done to his daughter.

Maleficent is simply stunning with cinematography. The colors, lightness and dark all make the characters unique and beautiful. Angelina Jolie truly is a queen! Her power, heart and fierceness all make this take come to life thrillingly. Unfortunately, the story lags in many places the characters don’t seem to connect with one another. Fanning is sweet and plays her part, but the chemistry is absent between her and Jolie. Additionally, I am not sure young children will be able to watch the film to many graphic moments, but they will nonetheless want to be Maleficent most assuredly for Halloween next year.

Maleficent is in theaters starting May 30th and is rated PG.