Introduction
Walt Disney Pictures produced a movie special in the fantasy drama category titled Maleficent in 2014. The movie shifts the tale of Sleeping Beauty, and views the story not from the perspective of the traditional heroine, but from the perspective of the most recognizable “villain” of the tale, Maleficent.
The movie is directed by Robert Stromberg, who is making his first feature-length movie, and it stars Angelina Jolie as the Maleficent. The movie aims to give the viewers a different perspective to a told story. It aims to achieve this by delving deeper into the character of Maleficent and instead of portraying her as a character who is driven by pure evil, the movie attempts to explain her actions and emotions and offer her as a character who is complex and relatable, if not heroic.
Maleficent is a story that is beautiful and character driven and encompasses healing, forgiveness, and the different forms true love can take.
Plot summary
The story is set in the Moors, a land of magic where nature and harmony reign supreme. The land is not governed by kings and is instead filled with wonderful and magical creatures. During a time set far in the future, a fairy known as Maleficent lived in the Moors, and being the protector of the land,.
Maleficent’s life takes a turn when she encounters a boy named Stefan. Though they are close during their youth, Stefan starts to grow apart and become ambitious with time. Stefan’s ambition, however, turns out to be his downfall when he betrays Maleficent, which, in turn, results in Maleficent feeling disheartened and lost. Because of this, she starts to build a wall with thorns around twf Moors and starts to feel resentment and mistrust toward the human world.
Maleficent christens Stefan’s daughter with a curse, stating that she would fall into a deep slumber from which she would be woken from a true love’s kiss. The twist, however, is that maleficent had been observing over aurora. The deep bond that she shares with the young woman and the deep love she holds for her daughter is what starts to melt the once bitter aspect of Maleficent’s heart.Maleficent attmpts to un-cast the curse she placed upon Aurora, only to find how tenacious it is to undo. As the prophesy draws near, the influence between the human dominion and the Moors becomes hostile. Its reach defines how far she is willing to go to discover her self.
Characters and Performances
Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) – Powerful & captivating as a fairy, her character extends the most to the story casting Maleficent up, down, left, and right. She loses control, and regains it, and through it, her strength twines with her vulnerability.
Aurora (Elle Fanning) – Epitomizing innocence and unrestrained optimism, she is the beauty and the kind Princess of the movie. She carries the most growth out of all characters. Fanning plays the face of the story beautifully.
King Stefan (Sharlto Copley) – Childhood friend of Maleficent, their relationship is alluded to which over time, becomes tainted by Maleficent’s loss of control and Stefan’s greed. He is the anchor, and starting point of the events entwined within the film.
Diaval (Sam Riley) – Maleficent loyal’s and most cherished friend, a raven whom she is able to spin into other endless figures. He is the embodiment of her hands, the eyes inadvertently seeing, and the ears with fractured logic.
The Three Pixies – While assigned to overshadow Aurora’s life, Knotgrass, Thistlewit, and Flittle stir up a light-hearted, comical relief.The emotional depth of the film is further enhanced by the individual performances. Angelina Jolie, for instance, is able to bring the character of Maleficent to life and shift her portrayal from a one-dimensional character to that of a complex and multi-layered personality.
Indeed, one of the greatest strengths of Maleficent is the film’s themes. The story, unlike most fairy tales, does not subscribe to a black and white portrayal of people as good or evil. Rather, it illustrates the myriad of experiences, pain and love that shape a person.
Thematic concerns of the film include:
Redemption. The film traces Maleficent’s life and sets her on a path of restorative change and self-growth. It illustrates that every person, irrespective of how much wrong or pain they have caused, has the potential to change for the better.
True Love. Unlike many other fairy tales, this film celebrates maternal love. It redefines “true love” as selfless, unconditional and nurturing.
Forgiveness. Maleficent learns to forgive others and herself. She is able to find her own inner light and restore peace in the world through forgiveness.
Both Maleficent and Aurora are strong women in their own right. By virtue of her character, Maleficent is bold dominant with great strength, whilst Aurora demonstrates quiet strength through her kindness and empathy.
These elements define the story’s core emotional themes and extend it’s appeal beyond the younger audience to teen and adult readers who appreciate the complex insights.
Visual Design and Music
In Maleficent, the visual effects are simply enchanting. The Moors are a relatively unique and imaginative world filled with lush and diverse flora, as well as a plethora of fantastical creatures. The costumes are especially charming, like the black robe of Maleficent itself which features an iconic horned head with flowing sumptuous black fabric.
The peaceful, natural surroundings are a stark contrast to the very formal human kingdom, thus illustrating the theme of harmony and balance within the film. A storybook atmosphere is achieved, while realism is still respected, through the blending of production design, seasoning, the camera work, along with the lighting.
James Newton Howard’s composition drives the emotional scene of the story tremendously. Within Maleficent’s entire journey, the score encompasses a sense of sorrow and wonder with its subtle and ghostly elements, while still within the touch of orchestral swellings.
Reception and Impact
Maleficent’s first showing derived acclaim from its distinctive graphical design, and the impact of Angelina Jolie’s voice being the first to narrate the tale. Audiences who listen to the voice for the first time notice it’s a very new approach to a familiar story and gives it additional emotional depth.
It triggered discussions on how new perspectives can be woven into retellings of classic stories, particularly retellings that give a more nuanced and sympathetic view of former antagonists.
It was an instant box-office success and spawned a sequel, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, which continued and deepened the exploration of the family, acceptance, and identity themes.
Conclusion
Maleficent is far more than a modern retelling of a well-known fairy tale—it is a tale of metamorphosis and patches of healing as one learns that love can be found where it is least expected. Accompanied by spectacular visuals, an enchanting score and a haunting performance by Angelina Jolie, the film is a delight with an emotional core.
Maleficent is a powerful tale for any age. Whether one is captivated by the fantastical, the richly layered characters, or the important messages, the film has something for everyone. It teaches that even the most lost and forgotten can be redeemed, filled with love, forgiveness, and the determination to embrace change.
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