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Film review of ‘Maleficent’
SPOILER ALERT!
– based on the well known fairy-tale of "Sleeping Beauty", Disney reveal the 'true' story of Maleficent and how she became the villain of the cherished family classic. This is a wonderful film with a few unexpected surprises yet perhaps most of all is Angelina Jolie's (Maleficent) stunning performance in this clever take on the traditional child-hood story.
Before the aftermath of the her betrayed, broken-heart, we find
out the ‘truth’ that made the oh-so fearsome witch in the Disney classic so
vicious. As Disney feed our eager eyes with forest-clad enchanted battles,
smoky green magical curses and an influx of multi-coloured costumes, the
magical vibrancy of the film cannot be understated, especially in contrast with
its later blackened skies and muddied browns, not to mention the almost
physical heat from the fire-breathing, life-like dragon at the film’s climax.
This film spoils us rotten with a multitude of incredible
special effects and action sequences so vivid and fast-paced it almost made me
wish I’d seen the movie in the (usually) underwhelming, expensive gimmick of 3D. Yes, we’ve seen warrior trees and yes,
we’ve seen these magical trees talk and fairly realistically (I
realise the limitations of this field) with movie characters but I’ve never before
witnessed quite such detail and imagination the creatures Disney (or should I
say Maleficent) has brought to life! From iridescent SGI flying, floaty beings
(almost like fish in air) to an almost serpent-come-dragon creature made from the
roots of the Earth conjured to do battle. However, on a slightly lower note,
not all the fairy-tale creatures had quite the same, realistic quality to them –
the little trolls and other woodland folk with big googly eyes and toad-stall
hats were ‘not bad’ for a film made 5 years ago but in today’s roaring
animation film sector, I expected Disney’s detail to be better and more
well-rounded than this. However, the tree warriors and SGI used for Maleficent’s
magic, particularly her wings may have made these other characters look even
worse as these elements were particularly rich and detailed – just a shame this
didn’t quite pull through through-out.
However, on a happier note, Disney have created plenty of
stunning landscapes for our eyes to feast on – beautifully deep valleys,
glistening waterfalls and realistic green and glowing enchanted woodlands. This
brings a beautiful contrast to their unyielding, decrepit castle walls and
barren wastelands as well as the intricate spinning wheel sculptures and
ornately entwining cursed forests of 6ft long thorns that spiral madly out of
control, much like Maleficent’s powers!
This great film also has a good, well-thought-out plot. Of
course this is by no means “The Lord of the Rings” but then it was never going to
be. However, it does deliver more than you think as you realise that, in the
words of the Aurora-voice-over, “the hero may also be the villain” or was it
“the villain may also be the hero”? One thing I found particularly entrancing
was Jolie’s dazzling performance as the power she exuded from the complicated
lead was wonderfully confident and transfixing. “Maleficent” also has a
fundamental broken quality to her (as you see when you watch the film) that
Jolie maintains throughout which I found beautiful – she obviously didn’t see
this as some throw-away part to earn some money and look pretty but instead
portrayed a fragile yet extraordinarily powerful character which allowed us to
empathise with her – feel her pain, anger and revenge (as we were often shocked
at the film’s events – particularly as it twists and turns on many levels to
break-through the original plot-line) but we could also feel her happiness,
hope and pleasure – a truly wonderful performance. I’d go as far to say she
carried the film as without her, despite it being visually stunning and a decent plot, it
would have lacked the drive and passion that Jolie brings to the movie.
Overall: 3.5 Stars
A lovely surprise as Disney shows a more ‘grown-up’
side to its beloved fairy-tale story yet not one for DVD as it doesn’t please on
every level and only somewhat goes above expectations from its trailer. On the
other hand, it was by no means dull and with Jolie's performance was thoroughly enjoyable.
Pictures: http://www.cineworld.co.uk/mobile/whatson/maleficent+ Own editing on Paint
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