Since hearing about the movie Maleficent, I have been intrigued to hear the “other side” of the story. I had heard nothing but good things about this movie before seeing it, but I will admit that I still had some reservations as to the casting of Angelina Jolie as Maleficent.
Don’t get me wrong, I think that Angelina Jolie is a great actress but Maleficent seems like something totally different than I have ever seen her do and, honestly, I wasn’t sure I would find her believable in the role. She also didn’t seem that likable to me in real life. I just can’t identify with Angelina Jolie. At all. So, she isn’t a real “draw” to me, as far as movie stars go, but I was still pretty excited about seeing Maleficent, so I bit the bullet.
You Can’t Judge A Book By It’s Cover
After seeing Maleficent, I have to say that my mind about Angelina Jolie may have changed a bit. I think she did a phenomenal job as Maleficent and I found moments where I really empathized with her. There are many scenes where her character doesn’t say much, but you know exactly what is going on thanks to Angelina Jolie’s phenomenal acting abilities. For those of you who have yet to see the movie, I won’t spoil it, but I will say that you will leave the movie with a totally different impression of Maleficent.
Like Maleficent, Angelina Jolie’s personality has been shaped in my mind mostly through tabloid rumors. Of course I don’t know Angelina Jolie, duh, but when I read and hear things about her personal life, I make decisions about how she is as a person based on these {just like many of you do, if you are honest}. This is life for Maleficent, too. Some of what we have heard is true, when in reality we have only bits and pieces of a bigger story.
I remember a college professor once telling me that “history is written by the winners.” That is most certainly the truth in everyday life, too.
Overall Impression of Maleficent
Though I am still not Angelina Jolie’s biggest fan I will say that Angelina Jolie did a phenomenal job as Maleficent. Sleeping Beauty is a story that I have loved for years and Maleficent did not tarnish that memory. I don’t like when someone adds to a classic by changing it. Not everything needs “improving.” Maleficent’s story is richly detailed without changing the essential plot lines of Sleeping Beauty, but by adding to it. There are also parts of Maleficent that look like the original Sleeping Beauty movie {the room with the spindles, Maleficent’s shadow on the wall in the castle}. If you have seen both, you will definitely feel some nostalgia.
I just want to note, there is some fighting in Maleficent, and some of it is a little violent. Think about that before taking small children. As for everything else, Maleficent is a great movie. If you like cool special effects {me!}, surprise twists and characters you can empathize with, I think you will definitely enjoy it.
I want to see this, but I am going to hold off until it comes to Netflix 🙂
I have heard so many good things about this movie. It is definitely on my watch list. I’m glad to read that you enjoyed it!
Eek I can’t wait to watch this movie! Hubs isn’t a fan of Jolie either but I think she’s such a great actress & mother 😉
She definitely has a cute family. She has done so much to help others recently and to better her image. I love how much she seems to have matured over the years.
I just loved Maleficent – I even saw it twice. It makes me really excited about the future of Disney princesses!!
I would totally watch this movie again. In a second. 🙂
I want to see this movie, but neither of my kids wants to go with me. Looking forward to watching it from home when I can!
I have not seen the movie but I really want to. I think at this point we will wait for the DVD
I like your honesty. I can’t say I am an Angelina Jolie fan either. I’d like to see this movie but as many I have talked too I will be waiting for Netflix or DVD. I wish I could say what it is that puts me off but she is truly one that I just don’t want to follow or watch.
Thank you. I used to like her when she first came out but then it seemed like things got really weird {i.e., Billy Bob’s blood around her neck and making out with her brother}. Maybe she got all that out of her system and has matured and decided to be a positive role model since she has all the little ones. 🙂
This looks like an awesome movie! We can’t wait to see it.
I actually had felt quite the opposite and thought she had been perfectly cast for the role. I am so glad to hear she won you over in this film.
That’s awesome. I am so glad that you could see what I couldn’t see. 🙂
What a Great Post for me! I can 100% relate to your thoughts about this movie. I am on the fence too and it is because I feel like Angelina will “ruin” it for me…thank for your honesty and review so that I know what to expect. I will take my daughter and see it!
I wouldn’t steer you wrong. I was surprised by how well she did in this role and I left the movie theater really impressed by her performance. If you guys go see it, please let me know what you thought.
I was not sure she could pull this role off either. Surprised at how well she did.
Did you get to see it yet? If so, what did you think about the whole movie?
Can you believe that I haven’t seen this yet?! I know it’s still in theaters so I should probably make a movie night and see it ASAP! Like you, I’m not Angelina Jolie’s biggest fan but think she’s an interesting actress. She seems like she is perfect for the part.
Though I wasn’t convinced at first, I think she was definitely perfect for the part after seeing her play it.
Great review! I am not Angie’s biggest fan either, BUT I think this is the perfect Girls’ Night movie. I’m hoping to take my friend next week!
Oh I hope you love it! With the strong female lead, I think this is definitely a great movie for the girls.
Angelina Jolie isn’t my main reason for seeing Maleficent; but I am definitely glad to hear that she did a great job! Even just one actor/actress can ruin a show. But I am still so excited to see this one!
can’t believe i have yet to see this movie . I definitely want to,
this was a great movie, great for the whole family. Loved it!
I still haven’t seen it, I may wait to watch it at home as we have a big projector screen.
Oh I have been wanting a big projector screen. This would look great on that. What fun!
My husband and son went and saw Maleficent. They loved it, which is funny because they normally don’t like fairy tale movies!
Haha! That is funny. It can be fun to step outside your comfort zone though.
Before this whole Maleficent movie came out, I really had no idea about her character in sleeping beauty! I mean,I read the books, but I never even paid attention.
See, I always loved Sleeping Beauty, so I remembered her from that. However, if they start telling all of the villians’ tales, I might start having some trouble, lol.
Love this movie and can not wait for it to come out on DVD!
I can not wait to see this movie. Thank you for sharing your review.
I’m with Amy, the name Maleficent meant absolutely nothing to me when I heard this movie was coming out. But, I have a terrible memory. Thanks for sharing your honest opinion about the movie, I’m hoping to watch it at some point soon 😉
I think this will be a great movie to take the kids when it is 100 degrees out, like tomorrow. I love how disney starts taking the real side of different animanted characters now
Ah yes! There is nothing like enjoyment the nice AC in a movie theater. 🙂
I agree, I thought it would be a very dark movie but it was far from it!
Funny, you are not her biggest fan, but enjoyed her work here, and I’m not fond of Disney, but also loved the movie. Angelina really was fantastic! I posted my review of it here if you want to see how our reviews compare: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2014/06/disneypictures-maleficent-monday-so-is.html
I can’t wait to see this for that reason. I have to admit, I don’t like her very much for what I hear and just her … personality, she seems very self-centered with a massive ego. I love that this film changed your views!
This was an amazing movie! I loved it and she did an amazing job.
I’d love to make this a “Mom” afternoon and go see it by myself! I’m an Angelina fan. She fascinates me.
I haven’t seen it yet, and I hope to do so but if not, I’ll catch it at Redbox down the road. It doesn’t surprise me that she pulled that role off well!
Haven’t seen it yet, but plan to for sure. I thought she was a great fit for the part! Definitely looking forward to seeing it.
I can’t wait to see this movie. I can see Angelina in this role with ease.
I can’t wait to see this!
So I’ma fan of Disney Villains Ursula and maleficent used to be my favorites, after this movie I’ll never watch the sleeping beauty and the dragon in the same way
I loved this movie! I went to see it with my sister. I think Angelina Jolie did a great job as Maleficent.
I loved the movie, and thought Angelina Jolie was perfect!
I want to see this movie! I am so intrigued by the story line!
Awesome review thanks for including the trailer I think I really want to see it now!
No prob. You can’t always assume that people have seen the trailer. I had only seen it a couple times myself since we don’t have cable or dish.
We haven’t seen it yet, but I’m excited to. I think Jolie probably rocked the role – and I keep hearing how different this version is compared to the other Sleeping Beauty stories.
It’s different but it’s also the same, in my opinion. You know how someone tells their side of a story and a lot {usually what makes them look bad or doesn’t support their side of view} gets laughed out. That’s the same here. Essentially, it’s the same story, but when you put them all together you get the unabridged version.
I can not wait to see this. I was hoping to see it on a date night with hubby.
I can’t wait to see this!
We took the kids to the movie and everyone really enjoyed the show. I thought it was really well done.
I thought the same thing as well and worried that it would be too intense for my youngest. It was fine though…no issues and nothing too scary.
See, my daughter has always loved scary movies – even as a small child. The scarier the better. So, I am definitely not the best judge for other children since our view is quite skewed, lol.
But you know as soon as I don’t put a “scary” disclaimer, some little child who is the opposite of mine will be terrified and I will have to feel guilty. Eek.