Movie #924 "Maleficent" was entertaining from the opening frame of the film until the end. I was intrigued with the story, the special effects, and the two lead women: Jolie and Fanning, the light and dark personalities of the movie. With all the boy-oriented films that flock movie theaters as of late, esp. during summer, it is a welcome to see strong females with some depth in the script and characters. I may be alone in this feeling, but I have never been a big fan of the story "sleeping beauty" --- I thought there was never much to it, and the ending was just plain silly to me. But then, that's me. This is so much meatier ---- the story is involved, it is humanized (as much as it could be) --- now I'm not saying that everything makes sense, but I am saying that it can be easily followed even though there's depth in the characters. (well, not all of them --- the three stoogesh fairies are goofy, but gosh, the audience needs some silliness and fun in this story --- it can't all be dark and doom! and those three very competent actresses do well with the scenes they have) I know critics have been saying this movie is all Angelina Jolie, and yes, she inhabits the character very easily and very well --- she has a stage presence like no other, and she easily cops the sarcastic attitude, but there's a lot more here. For example, the costumer (man, those wings!) and makeup artist, the special effects artist (academy award winner in the past for "Life of Pi"), and Elle Fanning are all stunning. How can you not marvel at Elle's Aurora marveling at all the creatures in the moor. That face is as stunning & light as Angelina Jolie's is creepy and dark. So I didn't think there was a lot of scene stealing. Now, what I disliked about the film is all the fighting in it. Okay, I get that there has to be conflict, but that still didn't warrant the army of men that get mowed down by trees. Yes, there were animated trees in "Wizard of Oz" but they threw apples --- they weren't as violent as in this film. And I really didn't think that scene needed to be that long. I also didn't like the very end. No, the kiss scene was fine, it was the dad vs. Maleficent one ---- I know we have to get rid of one of them, but can't we offer the kids who watch this a clash of wits, perhaps? something other than pushing people over balconies, etc.???? I guess I worry about kids watching the film and seeing in film after film after film that adults (whether they be fantastical or not) try to solve everything through fighting --- and then the film ends, so it worked! And then everyone is smiling in the next scene, and we don't have to deal with the consequences of the fighting. Okay, enough on that, but I just wanted to explain why I didn't like the ending of this very entertaining film ---- very good up until the end for me!
Maleficent2014NR I give this 3.9 out of 5 stars
Turning the classic fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty" on its head, this fantasy drama retells the story from the point of view of evil godmother Maleficent. While defending her homeland from invaders, the young Maleficent is dealt a cruel blow by fate.
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