The first line of dialogue in this terrific horror-fantasy film from Disney is “Let us tell an old story anew.” It’s not the first time Disney has dug into its archive and remade one of its own. There have been updated versions of “The Parent Trap,” “The Shaggy Dog,” and “The Absent-Minded Professor.” And Disney’s animated gems “101 Dalmations” and “Alice in Wonderland” have crossed over into the realm of live-action movies.
The title character in “Maleficent” is the iconic villain who first appeared in the 1959 animated classic “Sleeping Beauty.” So here we’ve got “Sleeping Beauty” told anew, and in state-of-the-art, visual effects-filled live action. It’s reminiscent of the story we knew as kids, but definitely goes in different directions. But it easily stands on its own as a fresh story for new generations who don’t know the original.
The film first introduces us to two kingdoms that couldn’t be any more different. One is populated by humans, the other by fairies. The two races do not have anything to do with one another. Until, that is, the ordinary young human Stefan wanders into the fairy kingdom, meets young Maleficent, who, with her big wings, curled horns, pointed ears, green eyes and bright red lips is anything but ordinary. They become friends, they grow a little older, there’s some puppy love … but, as a narrator tells us, “It was not to be.”
Time really zips by in this film, and we soon find that the adult Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has become her kingdom’s protector, but Stefan has gone back to his ordinary world and has become greedy as, we’re told, humans do.
In a sequence that might be too violent for the youngest of viewers, the human leader, old King Henry, leads his troops on an attack of the fairy kingdom. But Maleficent, now a fierce warrior, swoops through the skies and calls up her own army of tree creatures to fight them off. It’s an amazing, dizzying sequence. I won’t give away the exact results, but they lead to the nasty king, his tail tucked between his legs, later vowing that whoever kills the winged creature will someday be named king in his place.
When the adult Stefan (Sharlto Copley) hears of this, even though he and Maleficent have been apart for some time, he returns to warn her. Well, no, he’s a human, after all, and according to all things fairy, is greedy. He commits a treacherous act, then returns home, convincing the king that he killed her, when what he really did was break her, both physically and emotionally. She still has magical powers, but she’s a shell of her former self.
There’s some wrenching stuff going on here, but it’s buffered by the comic relief of a servant Maleficent takes on, a crow that she turns into a man named Diaval (Sam Riley) who she regularly turns back into a crow, as well as into a variety of other animals.
The story starts to become familiar when Maleficent later learns of the birth of Aurora to King Stefan (yeah, he made the cut) and his queen. This news results in a revenge-fueled curse that Maleficent puts on the baby, involving a sleep of death from which she can only be awakened by “true love’s kiss.” Alas, in the mind of seemingly everyone in the story, there’s no such thing as true love.
The script by Linda Woolverton has a few plot holes in it, and sometimes breezes over situations that probably should have been more complicated, but that part of it is never really bothersome. She gives some of the comic relief duties to three pixies who watch over young Aurora, and she makes it clear that the evil Stefan is going to pay dearly for his wrongdoing. But as the story’s years keeping flying by, this is all counterbalanced with the sweet innocence emanating from the almost-16-year-old Aurora (Elle Fanning), who shows off one of the screen’s most winning smiles.
Though scary situations and images (along with absolutely gorgeous images and funny moments) continue, the film eventually turns into a study of the relationship that develops between Aurora and Maleficent. There are some strange and unexpected twists that come across as wonderful surprises, Jolie eats up her part to just the right degree of overdoing it (glowering and all) and, not to worry, good triumphs over evil.
by Ed Symkus covers movies for More Content Now.
MALEFICENT
Written by Linda Woolverton; directed by Robert Stromberg
With Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Sam Riley
Rated PG
Trending News on PVDN
Popocatépetl Volcano Exhibits Increased Activity; Yellow Phase 3 Alert Continues PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - In the past 24 hours, heightened activity was recorded from Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano, with an alarming 315 exhalations detected, accompanied by water vapor, other volcanic gases, and ash, according to the Scientific Advisory Committee (CCA) of the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC). Monitoring systems in place around the active stratovolcano also…
‘Kingdoms of Mexico’ Distinction Launches to Boost Tourist Destinations With European Influences Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - Miguel Torruco Marqués, the head of the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur), introduced the new 'Kingdoms of Mexico' distinction, a major initiative designed to enhance the appeal of Mexico's tourist communities on an international level. The announcement came during a presentation attended by the governors of Tlaxcala, Lorena Cuéllar Cisneros; Baja California,…
Puerto Vallarta Set to Celebrate 105th Anniversary as Municipality and 55th as a City with Grand Festivities PUERTO VALLARTA - The coastal paradise of Puerto Vallarta is poised to celebrate two landmark anniversaries: the 105th anniversary of its recognition as a municipality and the 55th anniversary of its elevation to city status, with a grand commemoration on May 31, 2023. The celebrations have been meticulously planned by the municipal government led by…
Popocatépetl Volcano Resumes Activity; Authorities Maintain Alert Status PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - After a period of relative calm last week, Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano resumed minor activity on Friday night and through Saturday night, as reported by the National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC). This comes following significant explosions last weekend that put nearby communities on high alert. The resumed activity was characterized by minor…
Two More Puerto Vallarta Beaches Are Awarded Blue Flags Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - In the upcoming 2023-2024 season, Puerto Vallarta is set to host six beaches awarded with the Blue Flag accreditation, an esteemed international recognition for high environmental and quality standards. The Blue Flag committee has reconfirmed the status for four previously certified beaches while conferring this prestigious title to two new beaches…
LGBTIQ+ Community Member Disappears At Puerto Vallarta Pride PUERTO VALLARTA - A member of the local LGBTIQ+ community has gone missing under mysterious circumstances, inciting deep concern within the community and calls for immediate action from local authorities. Rubén Michel Castro Guizar, 32, a deaf individual, was last seen on the night of Thursday, May 25th, attending the Vallarta Pride march. His disappearance…
Trans Fats Ban in Mexico Will Prohibit the Sale of Cookies, Chips, Pizzas, and More in September Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - The Chamber of Deputies in Mexico has taken a critical step in the battle against heart disease, approving a decree that reforms the General Health Law to restrict the use of trans fats and oils. The move is predicted to save more than 13,000 lives per year, with these substances currently…
Mothers Searching For Their Missing Children Uncover Presumed Clandesant Grave in Puerto Vallarta PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - A team of mothers seeking their missing children made a chilling discovery on the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta Saturday afternoon: a skeleton, fragments of bones, and several indications pointing towards a potential site of illegal body disposal. The area of discovery, located near the road to Viejo el Veladero, close to…
Tactical Groups Are Added to the Streets and Beaches of Puerto Vallarta Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - As a component of the safety strategies initiated at the Citizen Security Police Station, members from the Tactical Operations Group (GOT) have been bolstering street patrols all over Puerto Vallarta. Following directives from Commissioner Rigoberto Flores Parra and Mayor Luis Alberto Michel Rodríguez, these officers ensure a visible and protective presence…
SEAPAL Vallarta Launches New Vallarta II Tank to Reinforce Drinking Water Supply PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - SEAPAL Vallarta, the local water management authority, announced the successful integration and activation of the new Vallarta II Tank to its drinking water distribution system on Tuesday, May 30. This strategic addition is expected to enhance the availability of water in Vallarta homes, a pressing issue in the wake of the…