Maleficent

Cast: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Lesley Manville, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Sam Riley.

Director: Robert Stromberg

Release Date: 2014

Running Time: 1hr 37 minutes

Genre: Family/Adventure

Rating: PG

Format: Blu-Ray

Synopsis:

An insidious fairy is driven to curse Princess Aurora, only to discover that the Princess may be the one person that can restore peace to their troubled land.

Maleficent is a kind hearted fairy, who lives in a beautiful kingdom, however jealousy sparks on the other side in a kingdom rules by a selfish King. When a human suddenly appears, Maleficent befriends the young boy. The young boy who will go onto be King Stefan. It seemed for a while that all hatred between humans and fairies had been forgotten. As the years went on their friendship turned into much more. On her 16th birthday, Stefan presented Maleficent with true loves kiss. As the years passed, they grew apart from one another, Maleficent became protector of the mores. A now King Stefan seeks to strike down the fairy kingdom. Killing all fairies. King Stefan must be the one to remove Maleficent's wings. So much hatred turns Maleficent into an evil and dark fairy, she seeks justice by cursing Stefan's only child Princess Aurora.

You'd be wrong to go in expecting a live action adaption of Walt Disney's "Sleeping Beauty", it is however loosely based on the story. Starring the ever so beautiful Angelina Jolie as Maleficent. Jolie has a remarkable resemblance to the original character. Fantastically cast in the role. Jolie's characterisation is magnificent. Elle Fanning stars as Princess Aurora. Although not your typical leading lady, she's rather good none the less. The three fairies who look after Princess Aurora, however were rather disappointing. Was it really necessary for the screenwriters to change their names? The personalities of each fairy is a little bit too silly for my liking. The innocence of the original characters has been completely forgotten.

Although the storyline is very good, it is very different to Walt Disney's "Sleeping Beauty", Maleficent wasn't born evil, she's simply out to seek revenge. King Stefan believe it or not is made out to be the bad guy. A sinister and selfish man played excellently by Sharlto Copley. It's very interesting to see King Stefan in a completely different light, as he is very much the good guy in the original animation. There are certainly a few surprises. The relationship between Princess Aurora and Prince Philip is very interesting. All is not what it seems.

Spectacularly stunning, the cinematography is vibrant and magical. The fairy kingdom is colourful and enchanting. King Stefan's castle is dark and sinister very much like his personality. Visually very dark, considering the storyline it adds to the tone of the film very nicely. The score invokes an insidious atmosphere around the storyline. Although not full of action, it's coherently shot and visually looks smashing.

A different take on one of Walt Disney's most beloved films.  Fantastically enchanting.

4/5 stars.