Traditional Disney fantasy is kicked into high gear in “Maleficent.” Angelina Jolie stars as the villain in this reimagining of Walt Disney’s 1959 animated classic “Sleeping Beauty.” Jolie delivers a multi-layered performance as the complex queen of the fairy kingdom who casts a sleep curse on Princess Aurora.
The Disney team of producer Joe Roth, director Robert Stromberg (“Avatar” 2009), and screenwriter Linda Woolverton do an outstanding job of creating a world of fantasy, with even pacing, good acting, and spectacular (yet subtle) special effects. There is not a slow moving section of this 97 minute motion picture.
Along with Angelina Jolie, the other actors fit like a hand into the proverbial glove in their respective roles. Elle Fanning brings an guileless charm as Aurora. Sharlto Copley and Hannah New play her parents, Sam Riley is Diaval the raven, Brenton Thwaites plays the prince, and Kenneth Granham is King Henry, Aurora’s grandfather.
Offering comic relief are Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, and Lesley Manville as the pixie crew commissioned by Aurora’s father with raising her until her 16th birthday. All are part of the fun and enchantment of Walt Disney Pictures’ very watchable film “Maleficent,” at big hit in theatrical release.
Maleficent (2014)
cinema
My Review
Traditional Disney fantasy is kicked into high gear in “Maleficent.” Angelina Jolie stars as the villain in this reimagining of Walt Disney’s 1959 animated classic “Sleeping Beauty.” Jolie delivers a multi-layered performance as the complex queen of the fairy kingdom who casts a sleep curse on Princess Aurora.
The Disney team of producer Joe Roth, director Robert Stromberg (“Avatar” 2009), and screenwriter Linda Woolverton do an outstanding job of creating a world of fantasy, with even pacing, good acting, and spectacular (yet subtle) special effects. There is not a slow moving section of this 97 minute motion picture.
Along with Angelina Jolie, the other actors fit like a hand into the proverbial glove in their respective roles. Elle Fanning brings an guileless charm as Aurora. Sharlto Copley and Hannah New play her parents, Sam Riley is Diaval the raven, Brenton Thwaites plays the prince, and Kenneth Granham is King Henry, Aurora’s grandfather.
Offering comic relief are Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, and Lesley Manville as the pixie crew commissioned by Aurora’s father with raising her until her 16th birthday. All are part of the fun and enchantment of Walt Disney Pictures’ very watchable film “Maleficent,” at big hit in theatrical release.