MALEFICENT

TITLE: "Malificent" SEEN ON: Amazon Prime - Rental RELEASE: 2014 REVIEW DATE: 01/01/15 MY OPINION: DPW = Definitely Popcorn Worthy, so it is worth watching!! •••• WARNING: SPOILER ALERT ••• I often include SPOILERS in my reviews, some much more than others. If you read my reviews, you take the chance of learning more than you expect to about the story, plot, key events, and it could potentially take away the anticipation, Fun, or your desire to see the moview, out of watching the movie. So, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED! If you read on, it is your choice!! *** Definitely Popcorn Worthy! I would wager that this is one of those movies you (and/or the kids), do not mind watching multiple times over time, just to make sure that you didn't miss anything! And, because you still can't believe that you really enjoyed watching, what you thought was just going to be, yet another same old/classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. While it remains true to its original Sleeping Beauty fairytale roots, "Maleficent", is 'magnificent' enough of a movie to stand out from the crowd of past SB versions, and with very little work, it could stand alone as a 'boy meets girl' movie plot in and of itself. Not surprising (especially, if you have even glanced at a single critic's review of this movie by any magazine, newspaper, or cinema genre website, etc.) Angelina Jolie once more gives audiences an incredible performance as the main fantasy character, "Maleficent", who is initially a fairy child, but who grows into a Fairy territory guardian force more than able to hold her own. Fairy and Human relations are tense to begin with, and only grow more dire over the course of this Fairy's tale. Particularly, once a still innocent & trusting, but now fully grown Maleficent gets betrayed by the only human (a male - go figure!), whom she first befriends when they are both children, and he is caught trying to pilfer fairy "gems". As a villainous hero with a good heart (even if that goodness temporarily gets buried DEEP inside under all of the evil intentions produced by the physical & emotional scars of being betrayed), "Maleficent", is the star that shines through out this newly crafted retelling of the classic tale of, 'Sleeping Beauty' (SB). You will undoubtedly recognize many of the Actor/Actress's faces seen through out this film from a wide variety of popular previous film and television credits. In example, Harry Potter Fans will quickly spot a, still very bossy, blast from Harry's past at Hogworts in the guise of actress, Imelda Staunton, who played the character, Professor Dolores Jane Umbridge, in Harry Potter, and who appears in "Malificent" as the leader of a trio of woodland fairies, charged by the Human King with keeping the adorable and innocent Princess (SB) safe until after her 16th birthday, at which time, in theory SB would then be safe from her pending SB curse. The other undeniable star through out this film is Princess Aurora (played by Elle Fanning), and is this Fairytale's version of Sleeping Beauty. I really enjoyed this updated version of Sleeping Beauty's Fairytale. The fact that the story focused more on a completely unexpected, and surprisingly in-depth alternate main character in the form of "Maleficent", really only served to flesh out the behind the scene motivations driving the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, and not detract in any way from the timeless original story. I am not certain how this movie coincides with (or even if it does), Angelina Jolie's previous health issues, and I admit to not having seen a movie with Jolie in it for a few years, but the initial shocker for me, was Jolie's (I'm sure intentional) gaunt facial appearance and unmissable thin frame. Gone are the youthful vitality, softly squared jawed, and large full lipped model of Angelina Jolie's, younger Tomb Raiders past. This Jolie has an air of aged maturity, wrapped in the mantle of shocking thinness, but she still has no less, of a commanding on screen presence. I can't imagine another actress who could have pulled off this role both so effectively, or so ultimately unforgettably. I have to also mention that Elle Fanning may initially strike one as playing Sleeping Beauty, in this movie, Princess Aurora, as a bit over the top innocent, except I once saw a daytime interview featuring Elle Fanning and she is either so dedicated to her craft as to always be "in character" or she is just that seemingly naively innocent in real life. Though difficult to believe, I kind of think that's just how sweet and innocent she really is. I just hope that time, hollywood's influence, and the greed of others, doesn't change her too much or too soon, and it spares her the type of fate it typically holds for those with good souls. "Maleficent" is Definitely Popcorn Worthy. As a matter of fact, make lots of popcorn, because you will want to see this movie multiple times, just to make sure you didn't miss any of the cool visual effects, or cool characters. It is certainly a movie for the entire family, and if you have kids, you will definitely be watching this more than once. I'm not one to say this often, but "Maleficent" is worth purchasing and keeping in your video library to watch again later, or in case you need a movie that will temporarily entertain the kids from start to finish, all over again.

This is not what you would have ever imagined sleeping beauty would be like. it is a magnificent rendition of an untold story. There is humor and horror and the best of all there is the believable "true love." Much like the movie FROZEN taught our children, new to the Disney genre, that love doesn't have to be between a prince and princess, Maleficent shows the audience that "true love" can also be between a mother and daughter- like bond. This movie also shows children that some mistakes may be made in anger but with love they can be undone. I think this is one of the best movies i have seem in a long time and would love to watch it even with my young ones. Unlike most of the movies we are use to with Angelina Jolie, her earlier work that involved much nudity and strange passion, she brings a new light to an old character and i believe personally that she did a most amazing job in her role. As for the girl who played the fabled Aurora, i think Disney could have casted a bit better, if the story had not been so well written i might have been focused so much on the fact that this Aurora looked nothing like the Disney Cartoon character and had non of the gifts like beauty that the faeries gave to her. She seemed a little dumb witted and kept her mouth open far too much in this movie, a lot like Kristen Stewert in Twilight. But i think even she brings a certain light to the film. Showing that you don't have to be "barbie pretty." I think this is good for The children to see as well. As we all know a movie will stick with a child for some time and i think this one and its teachings were beautiful. The one teaching about how obsession and greed will ruin a person was very well shown in this movie as well. Very good film.

A lot of reviewers slashed this version of the movie to shreds because of cuts made in the original theater version. I cannot fault them in the slightest. If I had seen both versions I would probably feel the same. I wonder how long the American public will allow the studios to continue their shameful practices. In many cases you cannot purchase a blueray disc without it coming in a 2 disc set. If you have a blueray player why would you want a regular DVD? It is my opinion that the studios shove this down our throats because of greed. Now I buy a DVD and find out that it is not the complete version. The studios did it to me again. Now I'll get down from my soapbox. I refuse to go to theaters so I did not see the original theater version. Since this is the only version I have seen, it is the version I will review. The bottom line is that I am only writing this review to help people make a purchasing decision. Would someone want to sit down with their family on Saturday night and watch this? The answer is a resounding, "Yes!" I normally am not a great fan of Angelina Jolie but I have to admit that she really ripped out a goodun this time. I cannot think of anyone else that could have done the job that she did in this role. I have not seen Elle Fanning before and now I am as big a fan of her as I am her sister. I have always loved Dakota and the way Elle’s smile lights up the screen makes me a fan of the pair of them. There is acting talent in that family. The chemistry between Elle and Angelina really drew me in and had me completely captivated. I really liked this movie. I love it when a movie surprises me and turns out to be great when I first was hesitant to watch it. I was not even distracted by the flying which usually obviously is by wire but was done well in this movie. I now have another version of the classic tale. I have read all of the works by the Brothers Grimm and have to say that I am not as enthralled by them as most people. This version of Sleeping Beauty is by far better than anything they ever wrote. It is serious and funny. It is cute but ugly when the need arises. The music is spot on and the special effects are really well done. I recommend it!

Great rental easy to access and on demand for our movie. We rented this for a college student home for the weekend with friends so we had people from 15-40 watching this movie. Maleficent has a great ending so make sure you make it until the end!

Love this movie series! Almost predictable, but there are a few surprises in this movie.

Maleficent is not your typical fantasy movie and when stills and trailers came out for it, I was excited to see it on the big screen. Let's just say, it was a good film and it was not what I expected (which makes it better). The story opens with a young Maleficent living her life in the Moors until a young chump named Stefan is caught by the creatures of the Moors and he meets Maleficent. A love story unravels and it is clear that only Maleficent is in love while Stefan's desire lie elsewhere, mainly in attaining wealth and power. The king comes to destroy a threat to his power and we are treated to a battle scene where Maleficent displays her power and drives away the king. Stefan uses his knowledge of Maleficent and uses her trust against her, he betrays and wounds her and thus sets up the events of the film. The movie is like a modern fairy tale, if you are expecting violence and epic battles, I recommend Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings or Hobbit films, otherwise, if you like a good story with great visuals with few minor twists, then you will be pleased with Maleficent. I found the three fairies rather annoying, Stefan's character could have been fleshed out more so he could appear more of a tragic character instead of the token bad guy for Maleficent to defeat. You do see the dragon but it does not follow the original Sleeping Beauty storyline, the basic premise of Sleeping Beauty is here but it is told from another perspective. However, it is obvious this a vanity movie for Angelina Jolie and this movie can be seen for many things but it is or isn't but the truth is, it is fun and refreshing, I will reveal one small plot point I thought was clever, when the curse is triggered and Aurora is put into a sleep like death and only true love's kiss can break the spell, this movie handled it right and it made the most sense. The Blu-ray looks stunning, the extra features are interesting and worth a look, it always nice to have the digital copy for on the go, this movie can be enjoyed by everyone.

I loooooooooooove Maleficent. This is the better of the two, in my opinion. I have it on DVD, but I finally gave in and paid to stream it anywhere. A good movie to watch when you’re on vacation and you have the entire suite/King bed to yourself.

Great 3D work. Wish they had more on the behind the scenes of the 3D making of. Angelina is sexy, knows her female powers and is almost a touch on S&M when she wants the king to beg some more, lol. Great voice, lovely posh accent and utterly sexy voice. They captured well every neuance in the 3D model. Amazing work on the fairies as well. Aside from the technical master work and breathtakng, cutting edge 3D technology, story is rather cool. I like the way they gave that nasty witch a reason to do what she did, and depth to her character. I can fully identify with the pain of a lonely heart, of a young girl orphan and later a young woman who fell for a guy - only to be betrayed in more than one way and fully can feel and understand her agonizing loss and vengance. What a sad thing to turn from a kind forest fairy to a nasty vengeful soul. I feel her pain all along, and her regrets, her lost motherhood and her recollections of her younger days, she experienced while observing the object of her curse. As time passes she learns to love the girl, more so than the true father and with a bitter wisdome only women with baggage of experience of life and men can have she is desperate to save the girl from her own curse- alas, she knows true love does not exist between a man and a woman. It is a pain, it is a hopelessness, but from this comes new hope in a surprising manner even to a heart turned evil. A great refreshing aspect to an old story we all know - a must watch!