By: Ava Rogha
For several years I have come across posters and commercials of Maleficent (2014), a well-known movie starring Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning. However, I have never been intrigued by the covers nor the teasers to sit down and watch it.
But after it got released on “Disney +”, I finally decided to watch it and I can assure you that I was not disappointed!
If you have seen Disney’s Sleeping Beauty (1959), I can promise you that this is a developed remake. Some people may assume it’s a spin-off or a completely different movie, but it’s really just a live-action version of an old Disney tale that answers all of our questions!
"No power on earth can change it."
Although we are used to seeing Maleficent as a villain, we do not know her story and what made her the villain of this fairy tale.
However, this version explains exactly that and more!
Maleficent is a powerful fairy who seeks revenge after she has been betrayed by her childhood friend and peasant boy Stefan (Michael Higgins), who is now the current ruler. She uses her powers to curse his newborn daughter Aurora with an unbreakable spell that puts the Princess to sleep for an eternity on her 16th birthday. But, after some begging and pleading, King Stefan (Sharlto Copley) manages to convince Maleficent to break the spell as a result of a true love’s kiss.
The Princess is brought up by three fairies, who promise to protect her at birth until she turns 16. They bring her to the woods and raise her disguised as three peasant women, who aren’t experienced with kids.
Maleficent watches over Aurora for 16 years, but is never seen by the Princess. However, right before her 16th birthday, Aurora finally runs into Maleficent and immediately recognizes her as who she assumes is her fairy godmother.
"I know who you are. You've been watching over me, my whole life. Your shadow, it's been following me, ever since I was small."
After spending some time with the Princess, we see some emotional growth in the villain that we haven’t seen in the original version of this tale. Maleficent gets attached to Aurora and she wishes to protect her. She tries to break her own curse, but nothing but true love could possibly break the spell.
Surprisingly, with no hesitation the villain of the story goes on a quest to find Prince Phillip (Brenton Thwaites), a boy Aurora had met earlier, to break the spell with a true love’s kiss.
When the Prince and Maleficent finally reach the royal castle, it’s too late. The Princess has fallen asleep and the only way to wake her up is with a true love’s kiss. But Maleficent is doubtful true love exists.
"The princess can be woken from her death sleep by true love's kiss."
Angelina Jolie does an amazing job recreating a version of Maleficent we wish we had seen when we were younger. A compassionate and caring woman, who did not always have cruel intentions.
She was happy as a child and it seemed like the humans were her enemy, rather than the opposite. It simply seems like all the hatred towards her brought her to the stage of self-defense, not cruelty. However, it’s easy for us to mix these terms up when we don’t know the full story.
Although most of the movie has been inspired by the original version, there are some changes towards the end of the movie that will most definitely blow your mind.
The changes prove to us that true love does not only come from a lover, it can come from anyone you feel connected to whether it’s a friend, a family member or a protector!
The ending also empowers Maleficent as a strong woman, which is something we missed in the original version. If I remember correctly, Maleficent was pushed off a cliff in the original version, which allowed the royal couple (Prince Phillip and Aurora) to live happily ever after! But that does not happen in this version… The changes will leave you surprised!
"Sweet Aurora, you have stolen what was left of my heart and now I have lost you too."
The cast does an amazing job portraying the fictional characters we all loved growing up. However, it took some getting used to the thought of Elle Fanning as Aurora.
Elle Fanning portrays a more playful and humorous version of Aurora than we are used too. The live-action depicts a more realistic version of what a 16 year old girl would look like. Perhaps that’s a good thing, but it does not remind much of the original and more ladylike version of Aurora!
Another thing I would like to briefly mention is that I believe the title of the movie is a bit misleading. This is a remake of Sleeping Beauty, and I am sure more people would be encouraged to watch it if it was in fact called Sleeping Beauty.
"But, as many thought whenever they saw the graceful figure soaring through the air, it took a great hero and a terrible villain to make it all come about. And her name was Maleficent."
It is impossible to tell which version of this tale I love the most, but the nostalgia and that super memorable moment where Aurora is tricked to prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel will always remain iconic!
I would like to recommend Maleficent particularly to people like myself, who used to have doubts. This movie hits home if you’re a Disney fan and it is an absolute must-watch!
And if you end up liking it, there is a sequel called Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019). Although we will be watching and reviewing the sequel for you, give this one a go in the meantime.
Enjoy watching! (Now available on Disney +)
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