Jordan Bolker
News Editor
Sometimes evil is complicated, but that seems to describe Maleficent. More than 50 years since the classic Disney film, “Sleeping Beauty,” became known to the world, director Robert Stromberg created a new twist in the fairy tale.
In the new film “Maleficent,” which was released Friday, May 30, the spotlight shines on Angelina Jolie as the world’s most feared villain as she tells viewers the story of how she became her evil, shadowy, horn-figured self.
Though skeptical at first, I applauded Jolie’s performance in this dark, fantasy film. Like a typical villain, Maleficent wasn’t always blackened with evil. As an orphan, she bravely survives with only her strong, bird-like wings to carry her. She befriends all the mystical creatures in her land, the Moors, until one day, she has her first encounter with a human from the human side of her world. And who else could it be than the young soon-to-be-king Stephan we all remember from the animated film? Of course, a friendship immediately grows and soon blossoms into a brief romance as they become teenagers, with Maleficent believing what they have is “true love.” I found it to be very typical when it comes to seeing films about the story behind those who became the villains that are known today, for they always seem to contain some sort of element of love and romance that can bore the audience. However, the destroying of the relationship caused by Stephan’s greed and hunger to become created a twist that certainly no one in the audience would’ve expected. The emotion that Jolie expresses of betrayal, heartbreak, and disgust towards Stephan after he burns off her wings creates the spark of a feud that will last for the next 16 years with the birth of Stephan’s daughter, the famous Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning).
What really grabbed my attention from the entire film was the relationship between Aurora and Maleficent. Although not much contact was made between the two in the 1959 film, the bond shared between Fanning and Jolie is almost a mother/daughter relationship. Although she casts the curse on the baby princess as part of her revenge, while constantly watching over the young princess as she grows older, Maleficent grows to care for Aurora as she is the one to take care of her and almost raise her, thanks to the poorly motherly instincts of the three good fairies. From feeding her, to saving her from falling off a cliff, to watching her befriend the creatures in the forest just as Maleficent herself once had, she truly becomes the fairy godmother that Aurora had dreamed of.
Fanning remarkably brings a more memorable reputation of Aurora, for she is the Disney princess with the least amount of dialogue. Nor does any physical action take place in her character other than deeply sleeping for what it seems like eternities. Fanning, on the other hand, is able to take action by saving Maleficent and restoring her wings during her final battle with King Stephan. By helping what we used to see as one of the scariest Disney villains of our childhood, Fanning and Jolie helped change our views and see how the battle of good and evil can link together to form friendship. For the $45 million it earned on opening weekend, this film is one where seeing it twice could become a good idea.
Directed by Robert Stromberg, “Maleficent” is rated PG.
