MALEFICENT DVD (2014)

SYNOPSIS: Explore the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain in this wickedly fun twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty. In an unforgiving mood after a neighbouring kingdom threatens her forest, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) places an irrevocable curse on the king’s newborn daughter the Princess Aurora. But as the child grows, Maleficent finds herself becoming fond of the girl. And as the conflict between the two realm intensifies, Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land.

MOVIE REVIEW:

She is one of the world’s most recognizable actresses. She is also a mother to six children and she recently got married to another fellow megastar. She is none other than Angelina Jolie.

Other than the coveted role of Superwoman, Angelina Jolie is destined to play the part of Maleficent in Disney’s reimagining of the infamous villainess from Sleeping Beauty.

Maleficent is not an evil woman with horns from the start. In this screenplay by Linda Woolverton (Mulan, Alice In Wonderland), she is in fact a powerful kind faerie living in the magical land called Moors. When the man she once loved betrays her, she cursed the daughter of his to death-like sleep once she reaches her sixteenth birthday. But Aurora (Elle Fanning) turns out to a wonderful young lady yearning for the attention of Maleficent as the latter watches over her as the years passes. As her sixteenth birthday approaches, the curse loomed with Aurora’s father, King Stefan (Sharlto Copley) planning to capture Maleficent and destroyed her once and for all.

For a start, Maleficent is a lavishly looking movie. The fairy-tale world is created flawlessly in CG, the costumes and makeup effects top-notch and best of all, beautifully captured on screen by Dean Semler.  Liked Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland, no expenses are spared by Disney to give viewers a magical experience. But at times, Maleficent is too spooky and creepy for the younger children despite the PG rating. There’s no denying this fantasy flick are meant for older kids who won’t mind a frequent transforming crow, a batshit crazy King and a freakish looking witch-like lead character.

But being a Disney production means there will always be supporting characters providing unnecessary comic relief in this case, the three pixies who are tasked by King Stefan to be the guardians for Aurora.  British actresses Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville have the thankless task of quibbling over every single detail and that’s suppose to be funny, mind you.

You can have the best CG effects and nothing beats Angelina Jolie as the imposing Maleficent. In addition, the ever-sweet Elle Fanning will melt your hearts as the innocent Princess Aurora.  There’s action, there’s magic and a half-baked lesson on true love at the end of the day. Welcome to Disney’s latest money-spinner, Maleficent!

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Aurora: Becoming A Beauty - The sweet Elle Fanning talks about her onscreen character and why she loves it since young.   

AUDIO/VISUAL:

Black levels are strong and the overall digital effects look stunning on DVD. Audio quality is solid and dynamic and James Newton Howard’s score for the most part is brilliant. 

MOVIE RATING:

DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee