MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL – A Review by John Strange
Maleficent gave us an introduction to two wonderful characters, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and the young girl who was to become her goddaughter and princess of the Moors, home of the fairies, Aurora (Elle Fanning). In the new film, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Aurora has taken to her duty of governing the Moors with all her heart. It is obvious that she truly loves her subjects.
But she also loves young Prince Phillip (Harris Dickinson). When he proposes to her, she accepts. Her godmother, however, is not so happy. Not because she doesn’t like the young prince but because she doesn’t want to lose Aurora.
But all is not what it seems. While Phillip’s father, King John (Robert Lindsay) is a man of peace, Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer) may not be. The whole film seems to turn about when the King falls into a deep sleep and Maleficent is accused of the deed by the Queen.
True personalities come to the surface and we quickly realize that nothing is happening the way we really expected it to be. Soon, we are faced with treachery and hatred on one side and honesty and love on the other. People and creatures soon begin to lose their lives for the worst of all possible reasons, blind revenge.
The war brings together players who shed light on the true intentions of all who are involved. We will learn who is truly good, and who is truly not. We will see valiant warriors pitting their all to stop the other side from destroying their kind. We will see selfless acts of sacrifice that will break our hearts. And we will see if love can win out over thoughtless revenge and hatred to give us an ending that we can feel good about.
This is a really good movie but may not, as with the prior film, be good for the younger audiences. Parents will need to know how their children will react to the violence perpetrated against the sweet, friendly, and loving fairies. I think the younger ones could be given nightmares or similar emotional distress from watching this film.
For adults, this is a wonderful film with an amazing cast. The subplots are well developed and the surprises are not telegraphed too far in advance. The visual images are magnificent, the CGI and makeup effects are first-rate! I truly enjoyed myself for the roughly two hours I sat in the IMAX auditorium. Check it out for yourself!
Directed by: Joachim Rønning
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Imelda Staunton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Juno Temple, David Gyasi, Ed Skrein, Teresa Mahoney, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Harris Dickinson, Sam Riley, Lesley Manville, Kae Alexander, Miyavi, Robert Lindsay
MPAA Rating: PG (for intense sequences of fantasy action/violence and brief scary images)
Selig Rating: A+
Runtime: 118 Min.
Movie Site: movies.disney.com/maleficent-mistress-of-evil
The Selig Rating Scale:
A – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
B – Good movie
C – OK movie
D – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
F – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
