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Maleficent
- DVD Release Date: November 4, 2014
- Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Run Time: 97 minutes
- Number of discs: 2
- Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
- ASIN: B00M4ADWTK
“Maleficent” stars Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning (“Super 8,” “We Bought a Zoo”), Sharlto Copley (“District 9,” “Elysium”), Sam Riley (“Control,” “On the Road”), Imelda Staunton (“Harry Potter” series), Lesley Manville (“Another Year,” “Secrets & Lies”), Juno Temple (“The Dark Knight Rises,” “Atonement”) and Brenton Thwaites (“Oculus”). It marks the directorial debut of two-time Academy Award® winner Robert Stromberg (Best Achievement in Art Direction, “Avatar,” 2010; Best Achievement in Art Direction, “Alice in Wonderland,” 2011). It was written by Linda Woolverton (“Alice in Wonderland,” “The Lion King”) and produced by Joe Roth (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Oz the Great and Powerful”).
So many of us grew up with the story of Sleeping Beauty, some hearing it and some seeing it in the classic animated Disney movie. Maleficent is another look at that story from a different point of view. The story is a look back at how Sleeping Beauty became Sleeping Beauty, in other words how she got put under the sleeping curse that only true love’s kiss would break. The story, which is narrated by the “adult” voice of Princess Aurora, opens long before Princess Aurora is even born. Early in the movie we learn about the fairy Maleficent, who comes from a peaceful and nature-loving kingdom. She falls for Stefan, a boy from the neighboring human kingdom. Years pass and the two fall in love. Sadly, power is more important to Stefan. The king wants Maleficent dead. In order to achieve favor in the king’s eyes Stefan sets out to kill Maleficent. Despite his thirst for power he cannot kill her, so instead he takes her wings away from her and sneaks away in the night.
When Maleficent awakes without her wings she is changed, both physically and emotionally. The once beautiful kingdom she fought to protect turns dark and ugly. She uses diaval to spy on the neighboring human kingdom and learns that Stefan has become king and that he’s just had a daughter. Maleficent places that irrevocable curse that we’ve all heard about on Princess Aurora at a grand gala celebrating the birth of the princess. In efforts to protect his daughter, King Stefan sends Princess Aurora to live in hiding in the woods with three good fairies.
Maleficent never loses track of Aurora. She is present from infancy on, even intervening when the three good fairies have their hands full. Over time Maleficent’s anger fades and she becomes attached to Aurora. As Aurora is turning sixteen, she meets a boy. Then, upon realizing that she cares for the girl, Maleficent tries to lift the curse. Unfortunately she cannot. The girl learns of her heritage and makes her way back to the kingdom where the curse comes to fruition. Maleficent races to the human kingdom with the boy in tow. The boy kisses the sleeping princess and nothing happens, seemingly proving Maleficent’s point that true love doesn’t exist. She opens up to the sleeping princess and kisses her goodbye, awakening her. Surprisingly, it was Maleficent’s love for Aurora that was the true love powerful enough to break the spell. King Stefan captures Maleficent and there is a huge battle.
I won’t tell you how it ends but I will tell you that the visuals and graphics in this movie are amazing. I enjoyed the movie more then I thought I would and recommend it.
The bonus features on this Blu-ray are terrific. Viewers can get a good look behind the scenes, and better understand how some of the magical scenery, graphics and costumes came to be.
Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD/SD & Disney Movies Anywhere Bonus Features:
- From Fairy Tale to Feature Film – Reimagining Maleficent for a new generation
- Building An Epic Battle –Creating the clash between Maleficent and King Henry’s Forces
- Classic Couture – Examine Maleficent’s spellbinding head wraps and jewelry.
- Maleficent Revealed – Explore the layers of extraordinary special effects.
- Aurora: Becoming A Beauty – Elle Fanning reveals her lifelong love of Disney’s original animated classic.
- Deleted Scenes:
- “Stefan In King’s Chamber”
- “Pixie Idiots”
- “Diaval asks about the Curse”
- “Pixies Seek Asylum”
- “Suitor”
- And More!
*Digital bonus offerings will vary per retailer
Here is a video playlist of the Maleficent trailers and features available.
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