Maleficent

Maleficent

Starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Sam Riley

Directed by Robert Stromberg

Synopsis:
Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) lives in the faerie land known as the Moors, which borders the human world.  Humans and faeries don't mix, but one day a young Maleficent comes into contact with a young boy named Stefan, and the two form a strong friendship and, as the years progress, a relationship.

However, Stefan's desire to be king soon overtakes him, and he stops seeing her.  When the current king tries to take over the Moors, he offers anyone who can bring the dead Maleficent the kingship.  Stefan (Sharlto Copley) tricks Maleficent by burning off her wings and bringing them to the king, which enrages Maleficent.  Years later, she learns Stefan is the new king and has given birth to a daughter, and she arrives and places a curse on her, that when she turns sixteen she will prick her finger and fall into an eternal slumber that only the kiss of true love could awaken.

As the child grows up under the protection of three faeries, Maleficent and her partner Diaval (Sam Riley) keep watchful eyes on her, and as she grows, Maleficent begins to fall in love with the child.  Now almost sixteen, Aurora (Elle Fanning) considers Maleficent her faery godmother, and Maleficent tries to undo the curse to no avail.

As the prophecy comes true, Maleficent sets out to find Aurora's true love, while avoiding a mentally unstable Stefan whose only goal is to kill her. 

Review:
Fairy tales are very cut and dry.  The hero is the hero and the villain is the villain.  Even in the 1959 classic "Sleeping Beauty," that was the case.  Maleficent was pure evil, cursing a child and caring less for the consequences.  She was pure evil, and Aurora was pure good.

First time director Robert Stromberg takes this fairy tale mantra and turns it on its head.  No longer is Maleficent a purely evil creature, but someone who endured tremendous hardship and treachery, and allows the evil side to emerge.  However, she isn't purely evil, as she sees the error of her ways and sets out to make things right, and to gain a sense of humanity that her kind never knew.

Angelina Jolie returns from a several year hiatus (the last film she was in was 2010's "The Tourist,") and this film was a labor of love for the actress, as she expressed excitement in portraying the villain from one of her favorite childhood movies.  She encapsulates Maleficent brilliantly, bringing out her evil side as well as her compassion.  In an otherwise so-so film, she turns it incredible.

"Maleficent" showcases several morals that are great to learn in today's day and age.  For one, the lust for power will absolutely corrupt you and endanger those around you.  Stefan was once a bright eyed child who knew love and friendship, but his greed and desire for power corrupted his mind and mutated his emotions, so much so he was willing to destroy the woman he loved to gain power.  And when he did that, he incurred the wrath sevenfold, even to affecting his own innocent offspring.  In the end, it left him alone, paranoid, and miserable.

Another lesson learned is the cost of vengeance.  Maleficent had every right to obtain revenge for what had happened to her, but in doing so she didn't realize she had become just as evil as Stefan.  Once she realized the mistake she made, she tried everything in her power to reverse it, but couldn't.  Sometimes our quest for temporary vengeance results in permanent punishment for yourself.

As everyone knows the story, "Maleficent" will turn it on its head, showing a different side to the beloved fairy tale, and showing everyone that "true love's kiss" isn't always necessarily the kiss you'd expect.

Summary:
Led by one of the world's most acclaimed and talented actresses, "Maleficent" rises above a mediocre story and delivers a powerful message and a villain you can truly root for.

My Rating: A