It's 2 Horns Up For 'Maleficent'

By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 3, 2014 8:30PM

Forget what you know of Walt Disney's 1959 animated Sleeping Beauty. Maleficent is every bit as enchanting and magical as its predecessor with a strong overarching alternative to true love and its modern, glamorous makeover of the title character—cheekbones sold separately.

The iconic lineup of classic princesses all revolve around happy endings and hunky arm candy with minimal knowledge of how our antagonists came to be. What seems to be most captivating about this film is the focus of true love and a changed heart from someone whose love was once horrifically betrayed. From an apathetic sorceress to a gentle and courageous fairy, Maleficent learns to embody the value of humility in all of its finest forms, a trait seldom found in any Disney villain.

Angelina Jolie makes her Disney debut as Maleficent in this cinematic masterpiece that, in this writer's opinion, places well among other live-action greats such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Enchanted. The ageless and hauntingly stunning Jolie made this role not only one that showcases her ability to constantly emote fear and beauty simultaneously, but she takes the archetype of villain and puts an otherworldly twist on it.

This incarnation of the classic fairytale digs deeper into the past of its characters and sheds new light on the tale we know so well. I wouldn't be surprised to see several mini versions of Maleficent in a sea of Elsas and Annas this Halloween.

By: Gina Ciametti