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Once Upon Maleficent

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Tale as old as time...No, wait... that's Beauty and the Beast. Disney's ideals have changed since its classic Sleeping Beauty was released in 1959. Then, female animated characters were driven by "true love," or rather, the idea of romantic perfection: a dashing hero who will save them from dreaded despair. If her Prince found her, then all was well in Dislandia. The fairy tales provided escapism for viewers, but also exceedingly high expectations, thereby disappointment. But, fear not! The Beauty re-imagined Maleficent validates that things are different now; in fact, one may not even have to do anything to attain the message in this Fairytale 2.0. 

Maleficent begins with a classic Disney opening, along with narration from a friendly voice...a young fairy named Maleficent. A compassionate healer, she cures trees and such in her fairy kingdom The Moors. Maleficent's pre-black-rubber days consisted of protecting her land and the creatures who inhabited it. The fairy meets the future King, Stefan, when he is a young boy. Driven by the crown, Stefan later violently deceives her. Fueled by betrayal, Maleficent seeks revenge on him. This tale is told from the perspective of Maleficent, not the princess. Screenwriter Linda Woolverton is no rookie of the year - she has previously penned scripts for Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, and more Disney hits. The cinematography doesn't fall short either. The magical land of The Moors is reminiscent of 80s fantasies like The Labyrinth and Dark Crystal for its strange, but loveable creatures dwelling in a fantastical place that I would love to rent a tree house in. 

Angelina Jolie's dark side entrance is to die for. Almost every shot of the winged, stoic Jolie in gripping rubber and bone-cold cheek bones results in jaws being dropped. You really feel her distant glances of desire and pain. The emotions of a betrayed Maleficent are endured with us. Jolie was born to play this role. Of course, a Disney classic re-imagined is going to introduce some faults. Sharlto Copley (District 9, Elysium) is miscast as the older Stefan. Not only is his appearance not worthy of Maleficent's affections, his accent is so muddled I don't even know where he is supposed to be from. Copley's acting was not convincing for me in this villainous role. Our favorite three fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather have been given different names, look, and sound strange with their big heads, small bodies, and helium voices - I'll take the fun-loving, proportionate originals.

A handful of scenes from Sleeping Beauty were recreated in this live-action dark fantasy, staying true to the tone, while re-imagining the outcome. The position of the once essential male interest is reconstructed to fit Disney's new statement. Disney has done it the way they did once upon a dream. The hauntingly enchanting Maleficent has messages that are powerful for people of all ages, young and old. Understanding (who you may believe to be) a villain is important so one can be aware of what has made a misunderstood individual the way that they are. Everybody has a back story. No one is but hero or villain. You can't keep a good fairy down, for there is wind beneath her wings that must blow on.

     
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  1. Dan O.June 5, 2014 at 2:15 PM

    Jolie is fine, but the story just isn't there for her to work with. Nor is there much material that lets her run wild. Good review Natalie.

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