Maleficent (Live-Action)

[Musical Master]

Quick question that bugged me from before.....

In the move everyone calls him 'Stefan' as in the 1959 movie, but Angelina for whatever reason calls him what sounds like 'Stephon'....? I wonder why she did, as it jars slightly.

Maybe she wanted to sound "dignified" in his presence. The part where he gets down on his knees and begs which makes Maleficent satisfyed was such a delight to see.

[Widdi]

Saw the movie this past Saturday. Absolutely hated it. Even when ignoring the animated movie and judging it on its own merits I hated it. The acting was terrible (yes, even Jolie's. Her only passable scene being when she first shows up in the castle after Aurora is born... until she starts glowing and talking loudly for no reason). The story was BORING. Nothing happens of any interest between when the curse is cast until Aurora pricks her finger. It's just a bunch of shots of Angelina Jolie making a pouty face while watching a kid. The Aurora is asleep for all of 5 minutes... Clearly that little cat nap was enough to inspire the legendary tale. The CGI fairies were so awful. The freaking Tinkerbell DTV movies have better CGI fairies than this film did.

Just nothing about the movie worked for me. Not one thing. So many unnecessary changes... Maleficent is an iconic character because of she is evil for the sake of being evil. Had they done a Maleficent movie where they simply expanded her part in the original movie I think they would have had hit a home run. Instead they turn the baddest bitch of them all into a cavity inducing sweet lady who was never really evil at all; just moderately pissed off.

[Atlantica]

Quick question that bugged me from before.....

In the move everyone calls him 'Stefan' as in the 1959 movie, but Angelina for whatever reason calls him what sounds like 'Stephon'....? I wonder why she did, as it jars slightly.

Maybe she wanted to sound "dignified" in his presence. The part where he gets down on his knees and begs which makes Maleficent satisfyed was such a delight to see.

Ahhh I see, that would make sense. Just it does stick out how she says it, and wondered why ! Thought maybe it was her eeeeeenglish accent

[Old Fish Tale]

Saw the movie this past Saturday. Absolutely hated it. Even when ignoring the animated movie and judging it on its own merits I hated it. The acting was terrible (yes, even Jolie's. Her only passable scene being when she first shows up in the castle after Aurora is born... until she starts glowing and talking loudly for no reason). The story was BORING. Nothing happens of any interest between when the curse is cast until Aurora pricks her finger. It's just a bunch of shots of Angelina Jolie making a pouty face while watching a kid. The Aurora is asleep for all of 5 minutes... Clearly that little cat nap was enough to inspire the legendary tale. The CGI fairies were so awful. The freaking Tinkerbell DTV movies have better CGI fairies than this film did.

Just nothing about the movie worked for me. Not one thing. So many unnecessary changes... Maleficent is an iconic character because of she is evil for the sake of being evil. Had they done a Maleficent movie where they simply expanded her part in the original movie I think they would have had hit a home run. Instead they turn the baddest bitch of them all into a cavity inducing sweet lady who was never really evil at all; just moderately pissed off.

Your opinion mirrors my own.

[WillytheDino]

Spoof with 50 cent. It's lame, but I thought to share it anyway.

[Prince Edward]

Saw the movie this past Saturday. Absolutely hated it. Even when ignoring the animated movie and judging it on its own merits I hated it. The acting was terrible (yes, even Jolie's. Her only passable scene being when she first shows up in the castle after Aurora is born... until she starts glowing and talking loudly for no reason). The story was BORING. Nothing happens of any interest between when the curse is cast until Aurora pricks her finger. It's just a bunch of shots of Angelina Jolie making a pouty face while watching a kid. The Aurora is asleep for all of 5 minutes... Clearly that little cat nap was enough to inspire the legendary tale. The CGI fairies were so awful. The freaking Tinkerbell DTV movies have better CGI fairies than this film did.

Just nothing about the movie worked for me. Not one thing. So many unnecessary changes... Maleficent is an iconic character because of she is evil for the sake of being evil. Had they done a Maleficent movie where they simply expanded her part in the original movie I think they would have had hit a home run. Instead they turn the baddest bitch of them all into a cavity inducing sweet lady who was never really evil at all; just moderately pissed off.

Your opinion mirrors my own.

My opinion as well, I agree on all accounts.

[Musical Master]

I'm sorry that I don't agree with you Prince Edward and Old Fish Tale, but I really, really liked every second of the movie and I hope to see it again soon.

[Vlad]

I'm sorry that I don't agree with you Prince Edward and Old Fish Tale, but I really, really liked every second of the movie and I hope to see it again soon.

I loved it, too, and I'm going to see it again this Sunday.

[disneyboy20022]

Angelina Jolie has admitted that Linda Woolverton meant that a certain scene in the movie is meant to be a metaphor for rape....

We were very conscious, the writer [Linda Woolverton] and I, that it was a metaphor for rape. This would be the thing that would make her lose sight. … The core of [the film] is abuse, and how the abused have a choice of abusing others or overcoming and remaining loving, open people. The question was asked, 'What could make a woman become so dark? To lose all sense of her maternity, her womanhood, and her softness?’"

Source: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Angelina ... 43416.html

[Disney Duster]

Oh man. And I didn't think it was rape. I was hoping it wasn't rape. I was wrong.

Saw it for the second time, this time with a friend. She really liked it, I loved it again, and I got to finally see the Cinderella trailer on the big screen this time!

I personally disliked Maleficent, but I understand why others might like it and I have to say, some of the discussions on this thread are some of the most interesting I've read on this forum.

I also find it interesting how a couple of weeks ago, so many people on this forum were dreading the film and what it would do to Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent, but most of the posts on here seem to lean on the positive side of things. On the opposite side of the spectrum, I was hyped for the movie and came away disappointed. It all goes to show you never what you're going to like and dislike.

You're so right. I was initially so excited for this movie, then when I read the summary and leaked script I wasn't, to the point where I didn't care about how much I spoiled myself on it, thinking "oh well it won't be that great anyway", and then when I went to see the film, I really loved it!

[moviefan12]

I think most people who have seen the movie figured that is what it was supposed to be but it's nice to hear the definitive word on this.

[Musical Master]

Angelina Jolie has admitted that Linda Woolverton meant that a certain scene in the movie is meant to be a metaphor for rape....

We were very conscious, the writer [Linda Woolverton] and I, that it was a metaphor for rape. This would be the thing that would make her lose sight. … The core of [the film] is abuse, and how the abused have a choice of abusing others or overcoming and remaining loving, open people. The question was asked, 'What could make a woman become so dark? To lose all sense of her maternity, her womanhood, and her softness?’"

Source: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Angelina ... 43416.html

Oh... WOW! I knew Linda Woolverton is a feminist but good LORD! I didn't think she'd go THAT far!

I can't wait to see what she has in mind for a television series that apparently is more "earthbound" than the works she's done before.

Oh man. And I didn't think it was rape. I was hoping it wasn't rape. I was wrong.

Saw it for the second time, this time with a friend. She really liked it, I loved it again, and I got to finally see the Cinderella trailer on the big screen this time!

I personally disliked Maleficent, but I understand why others might like it and I have to say, some of the discussions on this thread are some of the most interesting I've read on this forum.

I also find it interesting how a couple of weeks ago, so many people on this forum were dreading the film and what it would do to Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent, but most of the posts on here seem to lean on the positive side of things. On the opposite side of the spectrum, I was hyped for the movie and came away disappointed. It all goes to show you never what you're going to like and dislike.

You're so right. I was initially so excited for this movie, then when I read the summary and leaked script I wasn't, to the point where I didn't care about how much I spoiled myself on it, thinking "oh well it won't be that greta anyway", and then when I went to see the film, I really loved it!

I think I'll be seeing the movie again this weekend and see How to Train Your Dragon 2 as well.

[Atlantica]

I dont understand why it being a metaphor for rape is so awful for some people ? I mean, it's pretty obvious from viewing the film having her wings taken is akin to being as traumatised and abused as something like rape or mutilation could be. It sounds perfectly reasoned by Angelina in the blurb above; it is the driving force behind her character and it effects how she choses to live the rest of her life.

[Mooky]

I saw the movie yesterday and it was just okay. Nothing special, memorable or groundbreaking (other than the implied rape scene -- it was truly chilling and heartbreaking) but I was left with a feeling that it could have been so much more.

I really dislike this current trend of fairytale/folktale/legend revisionism that beats you on the head with 'that's not how it really happened' and the general idea that all villains are just poor, misunderstood, suffering individuals. This has become so omnipresent that I feel it threatens to influence even movies based on real events (and God knows most of them already take huge liberties when interpreting historical events) -- I wouldn't be surprised if 50 years from now we get Hitler: The Untold Tale. Sometimes villains are just villains so leave them be. I'm not saying it should all be black and white, but some acts of villainy cannot and should not be excused or redeemed regardless of the person committing them reforming later on. And the most annoying part of this trend is that it often takes characters that were previously established as good guys and turns them into villains instead.

Anyway, back to the movie... It felt very clunky and awfully written from the moment it started. The generic 'fairyland' setting that was seen in a dozen movies so far (I kept being reminded of LotR, Barbie: Fairytopia, and Narnia films), pixies and trolls, cutesy characters and corny lines, whatever. Blech.

Then the introduction to the character of Maleficent. Ugh. You know, I often notice this in modern American fantasy movies, but writers tend to be clueless about linguistics (not to mention, historical and geographical specifics -- I'm looking at you, Tangled). Maleficent. A portmanteau of 'malevolent' (which has its roots in Latin 'malus' or 'mala', meaning 'evil') and 'magnificent'. Why in the world would a kind, generous young fairy be sporting that name? In the context of this movie I thought it would have been more appropriate if she started with a regular fairy name and took on the Maleficent 'codename' after the whole betrayal thing. Sort of like saying goodbye to the past.

The characterization... You have Angelina freaking Jolie playing a psycho character (roles she was born to play) and you keep her all maternal, caring and whatever. The movie and the actress truly shone only in the scenes where she was shown as reveling in her wickedness; the rest was generic cheese-fest with some truly awful humor (namely pixies, along with their terrible SFX). There just wasn't any edge to the story -- the moment you saw Maleficent (or MINO -- Maleficent-in-name-only) having a change of heart you knew just how it was going to end.

It's strange how a supposed kids' film made 55 years ago managed to be more creepy and adult-themed than the supposed 'real' version. Then again, that seems to be the general thing with any movie made prior to 2000 or so.

Another thing -- Maleficent is able to create almost anything with her staff and yet she can't make herself a spare pair of wings?

So in short, an inoffensive, bland movie with a single scene that elevates it above mediocrity. If I was to rank the Roth Films productions, here's how it would look like:

1. Snow White and the Huntsman (I was taken aback by how much I enjoyed it -- probably because unlike the other three it didn't have to adhere to the studio's current entertainment standards)
2. Oz the Great and the Powerful (despite James Franco's douchebaggery)
3. Maleficent
4. Alice in Wonderland

When ranked along other recent fairytale films:

1. Snow White and the Huntsman
2. Jack the Giant Slayer
3. Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
4. Oz the Great and the Powerful
5. Mirror Mirror
6. Maleficent
7. Alice in Wonderland
8. Red Riding Hood

[dvdjunkie]

I, also, was not impressed in the least by this film. The casting department did a great job with the characters, but the script was boring, and the acting was just okay. There were too many minutes where nothing concerning the story happened.

As a family, we got up and left after 30 minutes and got passes for another film in the next 10 days. A policy our theater has to guarantee you like the film or if you come to the box office within 30 minutes of the start-time of the feature film, upon giving them your ticket stub, you can receive a pass for another film to be used in the next 10 days. Don't know how many other theaters do this, but that is why I love the Warren Theaters here in Wichita.

I have talked with a lot of people who said that the film got a little better after the 30 first 30 minutes, and I have talked with those who said they just caught a quick 'nap' while someone in their party liked the movie enough to stay.

[candydog]

Am I the only one who saw the wing-stealing scene and didn't think "rape metaphor"?

I saw it as Stephan not wanting to kill the girl he secretly loved and taking her wings as a sort of compromise. That way he could be King, and Maleficent no longer posed a threat since it was the power her wings gave her that the King feared.

I could be wrong, and maybe the writer DID want to imply that the scene was rape-like, but that's just not how I saw it on screen.

[moviefan12]

Am I the only one who saw the wing-stealing scene and didn't think "rape metaphor"?

I saw it as Stephan not wanting to kill the girl he secretly loved and taking her wings as a sort of compromise. That way he could be King, and Maleficent no longer posed a threat since it was the power her wings gave her that the King feared.

I could be wrong, and maybe the writer DID want to imply that the scene was rape-like, but that's just not how I saw it on screen.

No, one of my closest friends who loves Sleeping Beauty but hated this movie, didn't see it that way.

[DisneyJedi]

Okay, I'm gonna be honest... As much as I like this movie...

Anytime I hear someone say "This was WAY better than the original Sleeping Beauty", I have to do my best to keep myself from bursting out loud with an "Are you f****** KIDDING ME?! HOW CAN YOU LIKE THIS MALEFICENT BETTER THAN THE PURELY EVIL MALEFICENT EVERYONE AND THEIR MOTHER GREW UP KNOWING?! "

[Vlad]

Okay, I'm gonna be honest... As much as I like this movie...

Anytime I hear someone say "This was WAY better than the original Sleeping Beauty", I have to do my best to keep myself from bursting out loud with an "Are you f****** KIDDING ME?! HOW CAN YOU LIKE THIS MALEFICENT BETTER THAN THE PURELY EVIL MALEFICENT EVERYONE AND THEIR MOTHER GREW UP KNOWING?! "

Yeah, I 100% agree with what you said.

[Musical Master]

Okay, I'm gonna be honest... As much as I like this movie...

Anytime I hear someone say "This was WAY better than the original Sleeping Beauty", I have to do my best to keep myself from bursting out loud with an "Are you f****** KIDDING ME?! HOW CAN YOU LIKE THIS MALEFICENT BETTER THAN THE PURELY EVIL MALEFICENT EVERYONE AND THEIR MOTHER GREW UP KNOWING?! "

Yeah, I 100% agree with what you said.

Yeah, as much as I think that Sleeping Beauty is a rather overrated movie to me, I still think there's some things in it that are better than Maleficent. The animation, art direction and music is still the superior elements that Maleficent hasn't taken away but I would rather have the character development and audacity which Maleficent strives for. I think Maleficent is an okay villain to me, why? I perfer the Disney villians who are the realistic ones, Lady Tremaine, Hans, Gaston, and most of all, Frollo are better villains than Maleficent is.

But calling Maleficent a better movie than Sleeping Beauty is just ignoring the really good elements the animated film had, and it's sort of annoying. Besides, Maleficent and Sleeping Beauty are VASTLY DIFFERENT movies to each other, there is no comparison anyway.