3.8/5 Stars (slightly too in love with classic Disney to jump right on this just yet)
No spoilers fam.
As "preparation" I re-watched Sleeping Beauty (1959). The slight changes made for Maleficent seemed foolish and slightly annoying at first (for continuity is one of the babes of life) but it was soon obvious that they were made so that the character of Maleficent, played amazingly by Angelina Jolie, can be empathised with later on in the film.
Maleficent and King Stephan have several younger counterparts. - I was rather excited to see Jackson Bews in a big film like this after seeing him in The Psychopath Next Door (2013), waiting for a bigger part to see if he really is the yet untapped talent I thought... Without saying too much, there wasn't much. Like, at all. That did humour me in a way though, getting all excited and there being surprisingly nothing in return. (I assure you I'm giggling as I type). Isobelle Molloy, who plays young Maleficent, was truly amazing (it kind of scares me to think she was born in 2000) and played opposite the also rather marvellous Michael Higgins. It really was rather charming, seeing them really take the stage and not awkwardly blurt out their lines, but really play them.
Sam Riley (who played Ian Curtis in Control) is Diaval, Maleficent's assistant/coworker. His vibe is pretty sick, with his symmetrical scars (slightly sexy) and the nature of the character. He is a genuine, lovably character as opposed to his 1959 version.
Elle Fanning and Brenton Thwaites, who play Aurora and Prince Philip respectively, are the perfect renditions of the 1959 version, with their cute little giggles and smiles (these moments reminded me it was a Disney film and not just a crazy fantasy film). Seeing as the last thing I saw Thwaites in was Oculus, I'm not sure he could have chosen a more opposing character (which really proves his acting skill). I don't remember seeing baby Fanning in anything before except a few modelling shoots, but she pulls off an English accent well, as does Jolie. In a similar way to the 1959 version, Aurora doesn't have very much dialogue and firstly comes across as pretty face. - However, there is the clear vibe that the three fairies (who grant the princess the gifts when she's young) are really quite foolish and granted the gift of beauty and joy because of their naive nature and not knowing what would actually come in useful - like some brains, common sense, and not such a shallow outlook. Other than this, they were rather fun (remember this film is for kiddies).
Speaking of accents, what's with the Scottish tones of King Stephan (who's the baddy in this film) and most people of the kingdom having Scottish tones? Is this some vague/not so vague nod at the unhappy vibe between Scotland and England? Should we read into it? Shouldn't we just be happy that people are realising the babeness of both nations' accents?
Though I really love the original, Maleficent is a quirky, quaint, quite heart-puncturing film, with Angelina Jolie playing superbly (dare I say "best performance ever"?).
No spoilers fam.
As "preparation" I re-watched Sleeping Beauty (1959). The slight changes made for Maleficent seemed foolish and slightly annoying at first (for continuity is one of the babes of life) but it was soon obvious that they were made so that the character of Maleficent, played amazingly by Angelina Jolie, can be empathised with later on in the film.
Maleficent and King Stephan have several younger counterparts. - I was rather excited to see Jackson Bews in a big film like this after seeing him in The Psychopath Next Door (2013), waiting for a bigger part to see if he really is the yet untapped talent I thought... Without saying too much, there wasn't much. Like, at all. That did humour me in a way though, getting all excited and there being surprisingly nothing in return. (I assure you I'm giggling as I type). Isobelle Molloy, who plays young Maleficent, was truly amazing (it kind of scares me to think she was born in 2000) and played opposite the also rather marvellous Michael Higgins. It really was rather charming, seeing them really take the stage and not awkwardly blurt out their lines, but really play them.
Sam Riley (who played Ian Curtis in Control) is Diaval, Maleficent's assistant/coworker. His vibe is pretty sick, with his symmetrical scars (slightly sexy) and the nature of the character. He is a genuine, lovably character as opposed to his 1959 version.
Elle Fanning and Brenton Thwaites, who play Aurora and Prince Philip respectively, are the perfect renditions of the 1959 version, with their cute little giggles and smiles (these moments reminded me it was a Disney film and not just a crazy fantasy film). Seeing as the last thing I saw Thwaites in was Oculus, I'm not sure he could have chosen a more opposing character (which really proves his acting skill). I don't remember seeing baby Fanning in anything before except a few modelling shoots, but she pulls off an English accent well, as does Jolie. In a similar way to the 1959 version, Aurora doesn't have very much dialogue and firstly comes across as pretty face. - However, there is the clear vibe that the three fairies (who grant the princess the gifts when she's young) are really quite foolish and granted the gift of beauty and joy because of their naive nature and not knowing what would actually come in useful - like some brains, common sense, and not such a shallow outlook. Other than this, they were rather fun (remember this film is for kiddies).
Speaking of accents, what's with the Scottish tones of King Stephan (who's the baddy in this film) and most people of the kingdom having Scottish tones? Is this some vague/not so vague nod at the unhappy vibe between Scotland and England? Should we read into it? Shouldn't we just be happy that people are realising the babeness of both nations' accents?
Though I really love the original, Maleficent is a quirky, quaint, quite heart-puncturing film, with Angelina Jolie playing superbly (dare I say "best performance ever"?).
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