Went to see this film today at the Leeds/Bradford Odeon.
IMDB says: A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land.
In this Robert Stromberg (The Hunger Games, Pan's Labyrinth) directed film, Angelina Jolie (Wanted, Mr & Mrs Smith) plays the betrayed fairy and Sharlto Copley (District 9, Elysium) the scheming human who steals her heart, wings and kindness. Elle Fanning (We Bought a Zoo, Super 8) plays Aurora the cursed princess and Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter, Pride, as Knotgrass), Lesley Manville (Another Year, Vera Drake, as Flittle) and Juno Temple (Atonement, The Dark Knight Rises, as Thistletwit) put in great performances as well-intentioned, but a bit useless pixies, enlisted by the King to protect his daughter from Maleficent. Unbeknown to them, as Aurora grows Maleficent and/or her enchanted bird/man ally Diaval (Leeds-born Sam Riley, Control, 13), are never very far away and protect the princess far better. The interplay between Riley and Sam are some of the best moments of the film.
Jolie is definitely channelling her best 'evil' in this movie, as well as a certain Captain Jack when she calls Aurora 'Beastie' (maybe this has something to do with The Tourist being her last film before her 4-year hiatus), yet nails the empathy and sympathy for the misunderstood villain. This is a very colourful fantasy and a fun take on the classic fairy tale.
Trivia: Jolie has wanted the role since a child as she was mesmerised by the deliciously cruel character and served as the executive producer on the film. Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, who portrays Princess Aurora as a young girl, is the daughter of Angelina Jolie (who plays Maleficent in the movie) and Brad Pitt. This film had the largest budget ever for a first time director, Robert Stromberg, surpassing another Disney film, TRON: Legacy (2010).
Tagline: Evil has a beginning. 7/10
#Maleficent #AngelinaJolie #Disney #ElleFanning
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