Maleficent

Maleficent
PG-13
Running time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Robert Stromberg
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, Lesley Manville, Brenton Thwaites.

Synopsis: Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king's newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the humankingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.

Review: Disney's foray into darkly twisted fairytale is a rather underwhelming ride into the formulaic world dwelt by neon-tinged creatures and of course, pixies. Shining above all is definitely Jolie's haunting portrait of the titular character herself. Jolie's role, much like a fallen angel with pale white angular cheekbones and contrasting bright red lipsticks, has several villainous streaks that define the character as the cold-blooded version from the 1959's classic. While the humdrum plot somehow manages to provide a few moments of compassion towards Maleficent's pitiful back-story, the efforts to justify her harmful, evil natured means resultant of vengeful angst feels just plain out of the place. The further establishment of relationship between Maleficent and Fanning's beautiful but deadpan Aurora plays out as one-dimensional product that denotes to hurried character developments. That aside, it's a Disney film, kudos to first-time director Robert Stromberg for all the beautiful special effects that's set against the enchanting backdrop of magical lands and mystical kingdoms. Notable scene includes the one between Jolie and her very cute daughter Vivienne.

Rating: 2/5 Stars