Maleficent (2014)

Don't believe the fairy tale.

PG
1h 37m

Directed by: Robert Stromberg
Book: Charles Perrault
Premiered: May 28, 2014
Language: English
Status: Released
Budget: $180,000,000.00
Revenue: $758,539,785.00
Awards: Nominated for 1 Oscar. 12 wins & 44 nominations total
Country: United States of America

Maleficent

7.0/10 (13481 vote)

★★★★★★★★★★

Production: Walt Disney Pictures
Roth Films

Spoiler

In a realm divided, two kingdoms stood in stark contrast. One was the domain of humans, governed by a monarch consumed by avarice and a thirst for dominion. The other, the Moors, was a sanctuary of peace and tranquility, inhabited by a menagerie of delicate and gentle beings. It is within this idyllic landscape that we first encounter Maleficent, a young fairy girl, portrayed in her youth by Isobelle Molloy. Engrossed in play with her dolls, her peaceful solitude is interrupted by the sharp crack of a breaking branch. With a touch, she magically mends the damage, her innate connection to the land evident. Spreading her magnificent wings, she takes to the sky, her flight a graceful ballet across the verdant expanse, her greetings extended to every creature she encounters.

Her journey leads her to the company of three mischievous pixies: Knotgrass (Imelda Staunton), Flittle (Lesley Manville), and Thistlewit (Juno Temple). They inform Maleficent of a recent transgression – a thief apprehended by the forest guardians, attempting to pilfer a precious jewel. Intrigued, Maleficent flies to the scene to investigate. Two imposing, tree-like guardians restrain a figure attempting to conceal himself. Maleficent calls for the thief to reveal himself and is surprised to find a human boy, Stefan (Michael Higgins), whose appearance, save for the distinct wings and horns, is remarkably similar to her own. He clutches a jewel. Maleficent instructs him to return it, and upon his compliance, she casts it into the nearby river. She then escorts him from the Moors, learning that he is an orphan. Stefan departs, but his presence lingers, and he reappears in the Moors weeks later.

From this renewed encounter, a profound friendship blossoms between Maleficent and Stefan, which in their teenage years, matures into a tender romance. On the auspicious occasion of her sixteenth birthday, Stefan bestows upon Maleficent a kiss, a symbol of "true love's kiss." However, this idyllic chapter was destined to be tragically short-lived.

As an adult, now embodied by the formidable Angelina Jolie, Maleficent has ascended to the role of the Moors' powerful guardian. Her vigilance is tested when she observes King Henry (Kenneth Cranham) and his formidable army advancing towards her beloved kingdom. Maleficent rallies her own forces, the guardians of the forest, to meet Henry's onslaught. She descends from the sky, a whirlwind of fury, dismantling the soldiers with each beat of her wings, sending them reeling. She confronts Henry directly, but her attack is repelled by his armor, crafted from iron, a substance that inflicts a burning pain upon fairies. Henry's army is forced to retreat.

Back in his chambers, King Henry, weakened but resolute, addresses his men, including the adult Stefan (now portrayed by Sharlto Copley). He issues a chilling command: Maleficent must be slain. The one who succeeds in this task will be named his successor to the throne. Driven by ambition, Stefan ventures back into the Moors under the cloak of night, seeking out Maleficent. She finds him, and they share a reunion after a considerable period of separation. Stefan offers Maleficent a drink, a potion laced with a potent drug. As Maleficent succumbs to sleep, Stefan draws a knife, intending to end her life, but his resolve falters. Instead, he seizes a chain and brutally severs Maleficent's wings, stealing them to prove his deed to Henry. He presents the wings to the king, claiming to have vanquished Maleficent.

Upon awakening, Maleficent is consumed by the agonizing pain on her back, followed by a heart-wrenching wail of realization as she discovers her wings have been stolen. In her grief and fury, she picks up a fallen stick, which she magically transforms into her scepter. She strides through the Moors, her path leading her to the desolate ruins. Simultaneously, Stefan is crowned king, having married Henry's daughter, Leila (Hannah New). From his tower, Stefan witnesses a powerful blast of green light erupting from the Moors into the sky, a testament to Maleficent's unleashed rage.

The following morning, Maleficent witnesses a man cruelly ensnaring a raven in a net. With a surge of her magic, she transforms the raven into a man, Diaval (Sam Riley). The man who captured the bird flees in terror, believing he has encountered a demon. Maleficent approaches the newly transformed Diaval, who is initially dismayed by his altered form. However, he soon understands that Maleficent has saved him. He introduces himself and pledges his loyalty, agreeing to serve as Maleficent's "wings" – her eyes and ears to spy on Stefan.

One day, while in his raven form, Diaval overhears handmaidens in the human kingdom discussing the birth of a baby girl. He swiftly reports this news to Maleficent: Stefan and Leila have welcomed a daughter, Princess Aurora. A grand christening is planned for the infant, drawing the entire kingdom, including the pixies. They arrive to bestow their blessings upon the child. Knotgrass grants the gift of beauty, and Flittle bestows the gift of happiness. Before Thistlewit can offer her own gift, a powerful gust of wind sweeps through the hall. To everyone's astonishment, Maleficent enters, adorned in her signature crown and dark robes, a sinister grin gracing her lips. She feigns surprise at not receiving an invitation but claims no offense. She, too, has a gift to bestow. Addressing the assembled kingdom, she declares that while the princess will indeed grow in grace and beauty, she will be cursed. Upon pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel on her sixteenth birthday, Aurora will fall into an eternal slumber. Maleficent chillingly adds that this curse can only be broken by "true love's kiss," and no earthly power can undo her decree. With that, she departs, conjuring a formidable barrier of thorned trees to encircle the Moors, effectively sealing it off from Stefan's forces.