Maleficent
Director: Robert Stromberg
By Alex Watson
The tale of Sleeping Beauty has been told to us time and again and we all know the story of the Princess who falls into a deep sleep only to be woken by true love’s kiss. But this year, Disney bring us another spin on this tale aided by Angelina Jolie where are told to disregard to legend told and accept a new reality. Maleficent is one of the great villain’s of movie history, and her curse still sends ripples through the water when we watch the 1959 version. But director Robert Stromberg is here to show us that she was in fact a very different person in his movie, Maleficent.
Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) is a fairy who is charged with protecting her realm from human invasion. For years they have lived in harmony with the other side, but the balance is set to be tipped. One day Maleficent finds herself betrayed by her former lover Stefan (Sharlto Copley) who cuts off her wings to become successor to the human throne. To get even, she bestows a curse upon his first born child Aurora (Elle Fanning) that on her 16th birthday she will fall into a sleep ‘like death’ by pricking her finger a spinning wheel.
Robert Stromberg’s film looks the part and the effects for the most part look impressive, but it is a shame that the same cannot be said for the story of Maleficent itself. There is a fundamental confusion with the direction it is supposed be taking and this is not just a straight up account of the good fairy’s descent into darkness. It is implied throughout that Maleficent is essentially good and would not harm children, but this effect makes the tale loss any edge it may have gained from having a colder front. The film begins strongly enough as we see our lady making an ill advised choice to fall for Stefan, despite knowing the danger. When she is betrayed it is hard not to feel sorrow for her- and when she summons her evil and vindictive curse, secretly you smile as the score is tied!
The new spin on this tale works in some ways but not others, on the surface it appears to be a different view of this familiar tale, but you cannot help feeling this is a complete redirect. The middle sequence also feels too drawn out as we see Maleficent along with her faithful crow/ human Dival (Sam Riley) acting as surrogate parents to the child in the midst of three incompetent fairy nannies (Juno Temple, Lesley Manville and Imelda Staunton) and although this adds a more humane feel to the ruthless ice queen, it feels almost cringingly sappy. Also the ending will divide many as we see what the real ‘true love’s kiss’ really consisted off- prepared to shake your head as you view!
Also Maleficent suffers from a disappointing villain and some rather irritating side characters, King Stefan seems to do nothing except hang out his castle and sulk and lacks any kind of threat. Also we never really grow to love Aurora, purely for the fact that she is a naive, permanently smiling dimwit. All throughout she merrily wanders into the path of trouble believing it to be some kind of exciting adventure and a part of us wonders how on earth she survives the movie? Overall though, this picture smacks of sentimentality and director Stromberg, despite some interesting visuals only succeeds in melting the much needed ice.
Angelina Jolie looks the part of Maleficent and she tries her hardest to carry the role off, but she is given little to do other than wandering around darkened forests looking haunting. In a lot of ways it is criminal to waste an actress like Jolie in this role, because with the right direction she could have really brought this character to life. Talented South African actor Sharlto Copley however, is completely wasted in a one note role as King Stefan. Laced with a horrific Scottish accent, this normally capable actor is given little to work with and is confined mainly to his bedroom.
Elle Fanning is charming and ambient as Aurora, but is little else throughout and we never fully warm to this character despite the lurking threat to her life. A talented child actress, one day she will get a role worthy of her budding talents.
Although a misfire, Maleficent is certainly a pretty looking one and will be worth checking out to get your own opinion on. Though fair warning to Sleeping Beauty devotees, this may not be the picture you are expecting. Also count Angelina’s different looks, you will be able to count them on one hand!
Closer to the Edge 