I’m not big into writing typical movie reviews. By now, you’ve probably either read a million reviews online or have seen the movie already. So, I don’t need to go into great detail about the whole story of Maleficent. Just know this…it’s good. Like, really, really, super good.
Maleficent was probably my most favorite evil Disney character. I remember seeing Sleeping Beauty in the theater back when I was a little girl. I believe my grandfather took me. I remember being terrified yet fascinated by the whole concept of Maleficent and the curse she put on poor little baby Aurora. I also remember the whole dragon scene as I sat, unblinking, to watch the battle take form.
I was never into Disney princesses but I don’t remember if they were a ‘thing’ in my day or if that was a more recent development. My daughter loved Cinderella…passionately. My favorite princess was Snow White when I was a kid. But I did love Maleficent, even though I couldn’t, for the life of me, pronounce her name. Still can’t. Sigh.
My review is simple. This movie, Maleficent, is officially in my top 5 Disney movies of all time. It’s up there with The Lion King and Brave. (I didn’t like Frozen…sorry!).
Do I think Maleficent is okay for the way younger set? It depends on the kid. Personally, I would have taken my youngest son when he was even younger. But, we’re talking about a kid who loves zombies and demons and has since he was really little. He’s 10 now and this movie wouldn’t even cause him to flinch. You know your kid and how much dark imagery he/she can handle. There is one scene that is fairly dark but I HONESTLY think most kids could probably handle it (or you could cover their eyes during it?).
Disney 3D is amazing, I highly recommend seeing it that way. Or not. But, it’s worth the extra bit of money.
See it, my friends. See Maleficent. It’s truly an amazing, visually appealing, well cast, terrifically acted movie that I plan on seeing again.
Here’s a little parting gift…some print outs for your kids:
Maleficent activity sheets and Maleficent scene maker cut outs
Also, here’s the official blurb for you:
Disney presents “Maleficent,” starring Academy Award®–winning actress Angelina Jolie in the title role. This year, 2014, marks the 55th Anniversary of the character who put a spell on young “Sleeping Beauty” in the animated feature released by Disney in 1959. Since her introduction, Maleficent has been Disney’s all-time most popular villain. Now she returns in this live-action version of the classic story—and there’s a lot about her we never knew. “I loved Maleficent when I was a little girl,” says Jolie. “She was my favorite Disney character. I was afraid of her and I loved her.” This duality intrigued producer Joe Roth as well. “This movie is about a character we’ve only known as hard-hearted,” says Roth, “and our story answers the question ‘Why?’ I’d like audiences to feel like they’ve entered a world they’ve never seen before with ‘Maleficent’ and I hope they come away feeling like no one is beyond redemption.” “Maleficent” explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic “Sleeping Beauty” and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant, Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever. “Maleficent” is directed by two-time Oscar®-winning production designer Robert Stromberg (“Avatar,” “Alice in Wonderland”), in his directorial debut, and produced by Joe Roth. The screenplay is by Linda Woolverton (“The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast”) and the film is executive produced by Angelina Jolie, Michael Vieira, Don Hahn, Palak Patel, Matt Smith and Sarah Bradshaw. Co-starring in the film are Sharlto Copley (“District 9”)