Introduction:
Maleficent is a 2014 American dark fantasy film directed by Robert Stromberg from a screenplay by Linda Woolverton. Starring Angelina Jolie as the title character Maleficent, the film is a live-action re-imagining and reinterpretation of Walt Disney’s 1959 animation Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the antagonist Maleficent. While 2014’s Maleficent shares similarities to the 1959 animated classic, it deviates significantly in its portrayal of Maleficent and integrates new backstories and subplots not present in the original film. This review will provide an in-depth analysis of Maleficent’s characters, themes, storyline, and how it compares to and reimagines the original 1959 Disney classic.
Character Analysis:
Maleficent is profoundly complex and layered character at the center of the film. Rather than portray her as an entirely evil villain, the film seeks to humanize and elicit sympathy for Maleficent by giving her depth, motivations, and an elaborate backstory not seen in the animated classic. We learn she was once a peaceful, kindhearted fairy who had her wings brutally severed by the young King Stefan on the day he betrayed her true love. This traumatic event hardens her heart and transforms her into the vengeful figure we later meet cursing Princess Aurora.
Angelina Jolie gives a mesmerizing performance bringing nuance and vulnerabilities beneath Maleficent’s icy exterior. We see flickers of her past warmth and humanity despite her rage and bitterness over Stefan’s betrayal. Her complex relationship with Aurora also evolves beyond simple villainy, as she grows fond of the girl and sees her as replacing the family she’ll never have. The film succeeds in transforming Maleficent into a multi-faceted character rather than a one-dimensional villain, making her sympathizable despite her malicious acts.
King Stefan is also developed beyond his cartoon counterpart, portrayed as youthfully ambitious yet ruthless in his quest for power. Though still Maleficent’s archenemy, the audience understands his threat that prompted her curse. Aurora herself remains the gentle, naive princess but gains her own character arc learning of her heritage and finding her place between two familial figures.
Secondary characters like Diaval the raven add dimension, humor and aid Maleficent in her journey. Overall the character development across the board brings new depth to the original’s characters and makes their motivations more three-dimensional and morally ambigous.
Plot and Themes:
Maleficent tells the story from the perspective of its titular character, giving insights into her past and the events leading up to Sleeping Beauty. Through flashbacks we see Maleficent as a young fairy living in peace in the moors, until one day she meets a young boy named Stefan and believes she has found true love. Stefan betrays this trust by brutally severing her wings to become king. This trauma fuels Maleficent’s vengeance and desire for retribution against humans.
16 years later, King Stefan’s kingdom has cut off the moors and he declares his newborn daughter Aurora’s christening. Filled with rage, Maleficent arrives and places a curse on the infant – on her 16th birthday Aurora will prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into a deep sleep-like death from which only “true love’s kiss” can awaken her. Aurora is sent away into hiding while Maleficent’s curse lingers over the kingdom.
As Aurora grows under Maleficent’s watch from the shadows, the film explores themes of vengeance versus forgiveness, the conflict between humanity and nature, and finding one’s place and identity in the world despite a complicated past. Maleficent’s curse stems from a place of deep pain, yet her fondness for Aurora introduces glimpses of lingering humanity. The climax sees Maleficent realize the error of her ways and sacrifice herself to save Aurora, showing love can overcome hatred.
Relation to Original Sleeping Beauty:
While borrowing the framework and characters of Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent deviates significantly from Disney’s 1959 animated version. It gives backstory, shading and complexity not present in the original fairy tale or film. Maleficent is humanized with understandable motivations for her villainous acts rather than being portrayed as purely evil. The relationship between herself and Aurora develops far beyond the limited interactions seen previously.
Scenes paying homage to iconic moments from the animated movie, like Maleficent transforming into a dragon, are recontextualized with new perspective. Overall it takes a dark fantasy approach versus the animated classic’s lighter fairytale tone. By sympathizing viewers with Maleficent and retelling the story from her point of view rather than as a simple heroes vs. villains dichotomy, it presents a reimagining that stands on its own while respecting origins.
Visuals and Soundtrack:
Maleficent is a visual spectacle utilizing both stunning CGI environments and practical costume/makeup design. Robert Stromberg’s directing brings the magical moors and forests to life with vibrant colors and textures. Angelina Jolie is completely transformed into the title character through intricate prosthetics and motion capture, portraying the nuances of Maleficent’s emotions and phsyicality.
The haunting score by James Newton Howard captures both Maleficent’s vengeful nature and emotional depths. Lana Del Rey’s theme song “Once Upon a Dream” incorporates both the famous lyric and spirit of the 1959 song while giving it a darker edge fitting the film’s reinterpretation. Sound design immerses viewers in the magical world between humans and fairies. Both visuals and music lend Maleficent an enchanting dark fairytale quality befitting its reimagined story.
Conclusion:
With its compelling character drama of Maleficent and nuanced retelling of familiar characters and events, Maleficent succeeds as both a standalone dark fantasy film and a fresh reimagining of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. Angelina Jolie anchors the film with a captivating multi-dimensional performance as the title character. Though changes and additions are made, it respects the heart of the original 1959 story while bringing new shading and perspectives. Stylish visuals and an immersive score transport viewers to the vivid fantasy world. While not without some flaws, Maleficent brings new life to the classic tale with its recontextualization of its iconic antagonist. It will appeal to both fans of the original and those new to the Sleeping Beauty story.
Andrew Stroud