Oh, "Maleficent". You raised all of our hopes: FINALLY Disney was going to give us a dark film, delving into the heart and soul of one of it's most malevolent villains. Why, oh, why did this twisted fairy wish such ill will upon the Princess Aurora and her parents? Here, we were to get those answers.
And answers we got, yes indeed. However, in order to truly enjoy "Maleficent," one had to be sure to remove his or her "Sleeping Beauty" lenses. To compare the two films--with their generation and stylistic differences--would be unfair. I can hear you now: "Why would it be unfair? One uses the other as source material and the characters are the same." To that I say, "read on!"
As I've said, "Maleficent" is based upon Disney's 1959 classic "Sleeping Beauty" about a young princess who is cursed at her official announcement ceremony by a wicked fairy (http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0053285/). "Maleficent" is billed as said wicked fairy's side of the story. Right off the bat, the audience is told this isn't the story we have heard before and, MAN, they weren't lying!
Through the story, we see Malevolent as a curious, loving young fairy, fall in love, grow to be a fierce warrior, be betrayed, and have her heart turn cold and vengeful--and that's just the first twenty minutes. Personally, I think more time could have been spent here, on the title character's backstory. Several aspects felt as if they came very quickly, like the emotions involved didn't have time to fully evolve and therefore lost their weight. With a running time of ninety-eight minutes, I think another five or ten could have been used here without hurting the film's pacing.
The whole backstory culminated with "the scene": the announcement ceremony at which Maleficent, twisted with anger and jealousy, curses the young princess Aurora. Large chunks or this scene seemed to be lifted word for word from the animated predecessor, all to the benefit of the film. This was clearly the most important scene for the filmmakers as it brought tied the audience in and told them "here is where the real story begins." What is interesting, is that one slight change was made to the wording of the curse which foreshadowed the softer version of Maleficent this movie portrayed.
The story goes on and we see Aurora growing up through the spying, ever-watchful eyes of Maleficent. That's right, huge change there, as in the source film, Maleficent spends sixteen years searching for the princess to no avail. And, not only does Maleficent keep watch over Aurora, she makes efforts to protect her. The two eventually even become friends. This was tough for me to swallow. In "Sleeping Beauty," Maleficent's goal in life was to destroy King Stephan and his family, and here she is in "Maleficent" being a guardian angel for Aurora. Something about it sat sourly in my stomach.
Frankly, most everything after this point sat sourly in my stomach. Here is where I thought the poor choices the filmmakers made really caught up with them. Certain things I was very excited to see didn't come to fruition because if said choices (the dragon). Other things which were necessary to the story seemed frivolous because of those choices (Prince Phillip). However, one decision they made (the kiss) was perfect FOR THE STORY THAT WAS TOLD. Clearly, someone high up on the Disney ladder has made a great decision about the future of Disney Princesses and it should be applauded--the message is getting out!
In the end, the hero saves the day, evil is vanquished and everyone lives happily ever after in a way completely and utterly different from the original "Sleeping Beauty."
Overall, "Maleficent" was a good movie. The acting wasn't anything spectacular with the exception of Angelina Jolie as Maleficent. This was her movie and she reveled in it. Clearly, Maleficent represented that strong womanly character Jolie has been searching for in films like "Tomb Raider" and "Wanted," both of which failed to hit the mark. Maleficent hit the nail on the head, showing a strong woman who is loving and caring while at the same time powerful, vulnerable, and flawed. Fantastic work.
Here is my problem: this film didn't have to be called "Maleficent". It didn't have to be about Maleficent. They could have made a film about a fallen fairy out to fix the wrongs she has inflicted upon the world without using pre-existing characters. Instead, by choosing to use the "Sleeping Beauty" characters, the filmmakers open themselves up to criticism and fan scorn. Yes, we think we know the story and are therefore surprised when things don't turn out as expected, but doing that makes the ending feel hollow. I think I would have been more satisfied with all new characters and a similar story (dropping all the "Sleeping Beauty" references) than I was with what I received from "Maleficent." I will concede, though, that the name helped get me into the theater, so ultimately, I get why it was done.
I'd say, go see "Maleficent". You'll be entertained for a couple hours and hopefully your sons and daughters will come out believing true love does exist.
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