The villainess shines as the lead star

Film review: Maleficent

MANILA, Philippines - Week after week, film lovers anticipate every new release, especially if their favorite stars headline the movie. More often than not, the stars play the protagonists in the story. It is out of the ordinary that a villain also happens to be the lead star of the movie.

In Disney’s latest fantasy adventure, Maleficent, the popular antagonist in the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, is given a new spin as she is the star of the movie. Played by Angelina Jolie, Maleficent explores the dark story of the character who alters and disrupts the quiet, peaceful and happy life of Princess Aurora.

Many of us who are Disney fans and familiar with the story of Sleeping Beauty, certainly know who Maleficent is. Yes, she’s been in the storybooks as far back as we can remember — for more than 50 years.

In this “untold” story, Maleficent started as a kind fairy with angelic wings. However, because of betrayal caused by Stefan (Sharlto Copley) who cuts her wings and after being snubbed at the christening of Stefan’s daughter, Princess Aurora, Maleficent is prompted to seek revenge. She casts evil on Stefan’s daughter.

Just as the fairy tale details, Maleficent dictates that on Princess Aurora’s 16th birthday, the latter will prick her finger on a spindle and will fall asleep only to be awakened by true love’s kiss. That’s why there’s Prince Philip (Brenton Thwaites), the handsome prince in the story.

Aurora was raised supposedly in a far away place to save her from the evil spell. Yet, Maleficent finds her. Maleficent shows her soft side by looking after the princess while the latter was growing up. (Angelina’s real-life daughter, Vivienne Jolie Pitt, plays the adorable, young Aurora while Elle Fanning is the teenage princess) That way, despite her avenging plan, Maleficent manages to get close to Aurora.

Angelina, known and recognized instantly by her pouting lips, sports prominently chiseled cheekbones as Maleficent, with menacing black horns. With her portrayal in the Disney story, Angelina just made Maleficent really memorable as a lead film villain.

Sam Riley plays Maleficent’s gofer Diaval, whom she turns into a raven whenever possible. Meanwhile, the three fairies who take care of Aurora in the woods are Flittle (Lesley Manville), Knotgrass (Imelda Staunton) and Thistlewit (Juno Staunton).

The film marks the directorial debut of Robert Stromberg, an Oscar-winning production designer whose earlier works include Alice in Wonderland, Avatar, Oz the Great and Powerful and Life of Pi. Writer for Maleficent is Linda Woolverton, who brought to us well-loved Disney classics like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.

The extended story nonetheless included fascinating characters — like the fire-breathing dragon, gnomes, fairies, beasts, toads — that further explain the film’s skyrocketing budget ($200M).

Thankfully, Angelina is a really big star that’s why even if there are disappointing or flawed parts in the film, she manages to make Maleficent an interesting character and carry the age-old tale to box-office success.