Movie Review: Maleficent!

 Movie Review : Maleficent (2014) 

Hello guys! I'm so excited to write this movie review since it is my favourite childhood movie! As you guys can see from the title, I will be doing a movie review for Maleficent (2014). 

THE STORY

The kingdom of man and the nearby woodland kingdom of fairies have fought to live in harmony in this far-off land. As a guardian of her kingdom and the creatures that live there, the fairy Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) engages in aerial combat with any people who dare to invade it. However, Maleficent suffers a betrayal by her childhood friend and former lover Stefan (Sharlto Copley), who seizes an opportunity to succeed as King after Henry dies, after she has vanquished King Henry (Kenneth Graham) and his royal army. Maleficent becomes enraged and determined to exact retribution as a result of this betrayal. At the celebration for his daughter's christening, Maleficent finally meets Stefan and curses the little princess Aurora. Stefan sends Aurora away because he is afraid of Maleficent's curse, and he leaves her in the care of three good-hearted fairies in secret until the spell is broken. Maleficent occasionally observes Aurora as she develops into a young woman (played by Elle Fanning) and finally befriends a good-hearted person, which forces Maleficent to reevaluate her plans for retribution and the effects of Aurora's curse.

In my opinion, this is one of Maleficent's most memorable scene.

This moment is my favourite since it serves as a metaphor for sexual assault. In an interview for Women's Hour on BBC Radio, Angelina Jolie herself confirmed it. In the scene, Maleficent is drugged in the scene by a guy she loves and trusts, who subsequently steals her wings and takes away her ability to fly. 

"The writer and I were well aware that (the questioned scene) was a metaphor for rape", Jolie said. "The abuse theme is at the heart of "Maleficent," and it explores how victims have a choice between surviving their trauma and continuing to be kind, open individuals". (Hicks, 2014) 

This sequence holds a special meaning for me because I adore metaphors in movies.

The Message Of The Movie. 

Maleficent, in my perspective, sends a message about the complexity of good and evil. It demonstrates how even nice individuals can sometimes choose the wrong paths as a result of uncontrollable trauma. It emphasises the value of forgiving others, the wonder of friendship and connections, and the difficulty it may be for some individuals to be nice in a turbulent society.

An audio clip: Maleficent telling Aurora of her stolen wings

As Maleficent told Aurora about her stolen wings, which Stephan had taken, in this audio, you can hear how  devastated she is. Maleficent also advises Aurora not to put her faith in love because, in her own experience, it may be extremely painful.

What Parents Need to Know

Age suitability: Not suitable for children under 13, with parental supervision for those over 13. appropriate for kids over 15

Parents need to be aware that Maleficent is a retelling of Disney's classic animated princess film Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the villain. The reasons behind the "evil fairy's bitterness and resentment at not being invited to baby Aurora's welcoming party that she curses the infant princess" will be revealed to the audience. This live-action adaptation can get rather dark and frightening to smaller children more so than the animated version, especially during violent action sequences between the kingdom and the magical creatures of the moors.   The loss of her wings is obviously incredibly upsetting. However, the overarching theme of the film about forgiveness and love is uplifting, and giving Maleficent more background and character will make her more relatable to children. Your children will likely enjoy this fresh perspective on a beloved Disney villain, provided they can handle the combat.

Final Thoughts

Children will likely enjoy this movie because, in my opinion, Angelina Jolie is good in it. It's a beautiful-looking movie. Whether they are large-scale battle confrontations between humans and the forces of nature or minute details, the effects are powerful throughout with a brilliant interpretation of the well-known tale and a delightful twist that includes the definition of true love. The story is sophisticated enough to delight adult audiences. There is just the right amount of excitement, and the characters are likeable and finally, beautiful cinematography and art direction are used.

★★★★☆
4 stars out of 5 stars!