Movie Review: "Maleficent"

Hey movie fans!

 Two movies this week, so I need to keep them a bit brief. 

Disney's live action re-telling of the classic story of "Sleeping Beauty," "Maleficent" is for everyone who has always been fascinated by the bad guy... or woman in this case.  

The story stars Angelina Jolie as the title character. In this version,  she's less of an evil witch, and more of a vengeful queen,  fighting to protect her fairy kingdom, and to strike out at the man who betrayed her. To do this, she lays a curse upon the King's newborn child... that she shall prick her finger on a sewing spindle on her 16th birthday, and fall into a death like trance... but a lot can happen in 16 years.

So, it's obvious from early on, that this film is all about Angelina Jolie. I mean, not that that is such a terrible thing. She does a really good job at playing a dark character. and when she's at her most evil, you can see how much fun she's having. And, of course, she looks perfect for the part.

The problem rises, however, as the story carries on, and the plot is forced to keep finding ways to make us root for her, and still hit all the main plots from the classic tale.  In fact, almost every character, from the king, to the fairy god... er aunts... are portrayed either as evil, foolish, or both. The only ones who seem to escape this are Princess Aurora, who is unbearably sweet, and Prince Phillip, who is about as interesting as a Jonas Brothers concert.

The special effects are really good, however, and imaginative. The fight scenes are really played out well, with lots of good dramatic actions, and some good, but not mandatory use of 3D effects.  Some of the best, as you may well imagine, center around Maleficent herself.

As for violence, there is a lot of fighting going on in this flick... but it is still a disney film. that means little blood, and almost no on screen deaths. Still, some of the sequences are very dark, and violent, so you may want to take a bit of caution before bringing the kids.

All in all, just like Maleficent herself, this movie isn't really good, it isn't really bad, but it is pretty, and nice to watch.

Well, that's it for this review. Make sure you keep an eye out for my review of "A Million Ways To Die in the West," also posting today.

So, until next time... may you live happily ever after.