Movie Review-Maleficent *Spoiler Alert*

Maleficent
Release Date: May 30, 2014
Starring Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning
Walt Disney Pictures is making a habit of turning their animated classics into LIVE action films. Does this mean that the Disney company is straying away from it is most famous for? Absolutely not but they just released the LIVE action Jungle Book and has the upcoming Beauty & the Beast starring Emma Watson underway. Maleficent is one of the early LIVE action take on the classic Sleeping Beauty. For those of us familiar with the animated film Maleficent is the evil witch who wishes to murder King Stefan's daughter, Aurora as revenge for not inviting her to the celebration of Aurora's birth. It almost sounds like they were a type of slave to her the way the queen spoke to her.
This film puts a twist on the classic story we know all too well. Stefan takes on the role of villain in this version told by the point of view of Maleficent narrated by Aurora.
Maleficent is the protector of the forest. The film opens with a young Maleficent embracing her friends (fairies and such) and finally meeting Stefan. They form a friendship which turns into something more at least for Maleficent until Stefan disappears for a time. When Stefan reappears it's to warn Maleficent that those from his kingdom wish to kill her but he deceives her, cutting her wings to gain the throne.
After finding her friend has deceived her she turns dark. The joy she once had in her heart had been replaced with vengeance. This vengeance took the shape of a curse upon Stefan's daughter Aurora. Rather than death, Maleficent changes the curse to a sleeping death which can only be broken by true love's kiss. Convinced such a thing doesn't exist, the princess is doomed to be sleeping forever.
Although the three good fairies leave with the young princess, disappearing into the woods with her but Maleficent has found them thanks to her trusty crow. She secretly cares for the child through the years obtaining a growing fondness for her. Maleficent cares for her and forms a kind of friendship with the Princess. Out of desperation Maleficent attempts to take the curse back but fails. When Aurora finds out about the curse she turns away from her "fairy godmother," returning to her kingdom to embrace her father.
Determined to protect Aurora, Maleficent puts Prince Philip to sleep as she leads him to the soon to be sleeping princess. As in the animated film, Aurora pricks her finger on the spinning wheel and falls into her eternal sleep. Surprisingly when Maleficent arrives with Philip, they find that his kiss is not strong enough to break the curse. Ashamed at what she's done, she sheds tears for her young friend, giving her a final kiss on the forehead. This kiss is the kiss that breaks the curse. What I like about this is that true love's first kiss doesn't have to be romantic but just the love one person has for another in a platonic way.
Sensing Maleficent's presence, her wings began to rumble as they wish to heal and reunite with her. Stefan fights his old friend, attempting to kill her resulting in his own demise in the end. Aurora lives with Maleficent, joining the two kingdoms once she is crowned Queen. It's a beautiful story and to be honest I much prefer this story to the classic because we were made to care for the misunderstood Maleficent. I'm excited to read that there will be a Maleficent 2. I'm eager to see where they take her story and how Aurora plays into her life in the aftermath of the original story.
Elle Fanning is the perfect charming Aurora to Angelina's fragile yet strong Maleficent. What strikes me in the casting of Angelina Jolie as Maleficent is how well she fits the character not in just acting standards but in appearance. Their performances are exceptional and heartwarming.