Maleficent is a live-action movie that tells the story of the iconic Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty in the perspective of the antagonist, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie). This movie teaches the audience that every villain has a story and that makes them more understanding and open minded. This opens our eyes that even the wicked stepmother, the selfish step sisters, the deceitful cecaelia sea witch or even the jealous evil queen might have their own reasons as to why they are villainous and they might be more than just a villain.
At the beginning of the movie, young Maleficent was portrayed to be kind, gentle and generous almost like every other disney princess but, when a boy from a neighboring kingdom, Stefan, tried to steal a gem from her forest she didn’t turn him into a beetle but instead threw the gem at sea saying that she didn’t throw it away but took it home from then on, the two became friends to more than friends and shared a kiss. But, what she didn’t know was he was no Romeo and she was no Juliet because at the end Stefan betrayed and broke her heart all for his greed for the throne. Maleficent left with her heart broken and her wings snatched a feeling of vengeance filled the empty gaps in her crushed heart that made her transform into the dark Maleficent. Just like how Jafar has Iagu, Maleficent earned herself a trustworthy sidekick shapeshifter raven, Diaval, along her revenge plan. Stefan became the king and his wife bore a beautiful child, Aurora. As her revenge to Stefan, Maleficent cursed the child that on her 16th birthday she will prick her finger that will put her into a slumber forever and no power on earth shall ever revoke the curse except a true love’s kiss. The king knew how dangerous Maleficent was and how his daughter is in grave danger as long as the princess is within the kingdom he sent her away in the hands of the 3 fairies.
Sure, Maleficent as a villain is evil but she wasn’t all horns and vitriol. As Aurora grew Maleficent was always there to watch her and even fed her when she was hungry as a baby and the fairies were busy arguing. It’s almost as if she was the twisted version of Fairy Godmother, Maleficent was always there, unwittingly caring for Aurora. She started to have a strange relationship with the child. Maleficent tried to revoke her own curse but even her powers wasn’t enough and she regretted cursing Aurora because she knew true love doesn’t exist. While out in the woods, Aurora met Prince Philipp whom Maleficent thinks might be the solution to the curse despite her doubts. The inevitable happened, Aurora fell into a slumber for forever. The fairies tried to let Prince Philipp kiss Aurora hoping he’s the true love they’ve been waiting for but his kiss didn’t work. Miserable, Maleficent broken hearted once again, kissed Aurora on her forehead that miraculously woke Auror from her ever-lasting sleep.
Unlike the other princess stories, the movie was far more entertaining and refreshing from the villain’s point of view. Though, the film started dark and violent the overall message was about redemption and love that gave Maleficent more depth and unique.
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