This is one of the rare ”kids” movies that I’ve wanted to see for a long time… Just imagine how sad I was when I discovered that it was just average.
Loosely following the story of Sleeping Beauty, this movie aims to become the ”villain” origin story in a way that mirrors what Wicked is to The Wizard of Oz. Sadly, it falls short in regards to both originality and plot, and it becomes extremely obvious within the opening 15 minutes as to where the rest of the movie is going.
As ever, Angelina Jolie is fabulous. I mean, I’m not sure she’s given a bad performance in her life and this is no exception to that rule. However, this left me wishing she’d go back to her previous ”serious” adult roles. I know she’s on a directorial quest currently, and she’s busy becoming an honorary Dame, saving all the children, and doing her Goodwill ambassador-ing. I get that. I get that she’s on a path to becoming an actual real-life saint. All I’m asking for is that she throws a couple of Girl, Interrupted style acting gigs in there, is that too much to ask?
Of course, the special effects and make up/hair-styling are outstanding. There is no question that these are facets that undoubtedly deserved their Oscar nominations, the work on Jolie’s title character in particular is spectacular here.
On the other hand, whilst the plot isn’t anything especially fresh or gripping, I’m a sucker for a villain origin story. I can’t deny that. What do I want next? An Ursula movie. Now that would be a wild ride. I know that there’s a live action Little Mermaid on the way, but I genuinely couldn’t give two shits about that. Give me the baddies, and give me them now. In fact, the same goes for this film. I do not care about Aurora or Elle Fanning in any way, shape or form. She plays the role well enough, but that’s not what any of us came here for. For a movie that is LITERALLY titled ”Maleficent”, there’s way too much Aurora backstory. No one asked for that, so please stop.
When looking at this as a fully formed film, Maleficent is fine. But that’s all it is. I’m sure kids – especially young girls – will have found this entirely magical and mystifying, but for me, as a 27 year old, it’s just okay.
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