I finally saw Maleficent. Finally. For the girl who couldn’t wait to see the movie since the announcement that the movie was being made, it was a long time coming. We were supposed to see the movie in the theaters many times, but schedules always got in the way. Finally, on board the Disney Dream last month we saw the movie. Now available on Blu-Ray and DVD, Disney sent it to me to watch again and again.
And it was marvelous! Simply marvelous.
Before watching the movie, there is only one thing you need to know — this is not the story of Sleeping Beauty as told in animation by Walt Disney. This is a very different story. This is the story of Maleficent. We all know there are two sides to every story, and this telling of the story is quite different from the one we’ve heard before.
“Maleficent” explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic “Sleeping Beauty” and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. 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 human kingdom 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.
Maleficent really isn’t evil, she is sad and misunderstood. Circumstances put upon her by others changed the course of her fate and her heart.
Absent are the cheerful songs, but despite the darkness Aurora is no less lovely. In fact, this tale of revenge still finds a happy ending thanks to pure heart of Aurora. And Aurora’s animal friends? They aren’t quite the same group of furry creatures, but they are no less her friends.
I highly recommend Maleficent.
For even more Maleficent, check out my post about a visit from Elle Fanning, Maleficent movie clips and free printables.
