'MALEFICENT' MOVIE REVIEW: HERS

Angelina Jolie brings the classic Disney tale to a new audience in 'Maleficent'. Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Starring Angelina Jolie as the iconic Disney villainous, ‘Maleficent’ is a film filled with just as much wonder, wit and magic as any other Disney tale, something I was pleasantly surprised by.

‘Maleficent’ follows the story of a beautiful, strong and kind-hearted fairy, whose heart turns to stone after the most terrible of betrayals.

Maleficent grew up in the stunning forest kingdom known as the Moors, along with all of the other magical and mystical creatures of the land. It was a place where humans did not venture, but one they wished to conquer.

As a young fairy, Maleficent befriends a boy named Stefan, and the two become inseparable. In a cruel twist of fate, however, it would be Stefan’s betrayal of Maleficent which ultimately turns her heart to stone.

Stefan goes on to become king, while Maleficent is left alone, consumed by hatred and fueled by a desire to enact revenge against the boy who was once her friend.

Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora in 'Maleficent'. Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

True to the original tale, Maleficent places a curse of King Stefan’s first born child, Princess Aurora, one which would come to fruition on her 16th birthday, and one which could only be broken by true loves kiss.

The princess is taken away and hidden in the forest, to be raised by the three “good” fairies, until the day after her 16th birthday, when the curse would become redundant.

Despite this plan however, Maleficent finds their cottage and in turn watches and waits, biding her time until her curse can be enacted; or at least that’s what we are led to believe.

From this point onwards, the film takes an interesting and unexpected turn. As the young princess grows, Maleficent comes to realise that Aurora may actually hold the key to peace between the two kingdoms, and to Maleficent’s own true happiness.

Angelina Jolie is the perfect villain in 'Maleficent'. Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

‘Maleficent’ was an incredibly touching and wonderfully creative re-imagining of a Disney classic, which not only added a whole new layer to the original tale, but turned it completely on its head.

In his directorial debut, Robert Stromberg delivers a magnificent and visually stunning piece, which honestly transports you to another world.

Angelina Jolie’s performance as Maleficent was mind-blowing: she encapsulated everything the iconic villainous is known for, from her looks, to her mannerisms, right down to the eerily accurate delivery of her lines in the infamous baptism scene.

As a little girl I would have ‘Sleeping Beauty’ on a constant loop, never tiring of the classic Disney tale. After watching ‘Maleficent’ I felt like that little girl again, and even though it didn’t stick to the original tale, I loved it just as much.

Amy's rating: 4/5