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.

Have You Seen Maleficent? What Did You Think?