Sunday, August 14, 2016
Maleficent
- Commentary: I was so pleased when I heard a movie was being made featuring my favorite childhood heroine, Maleficent (see write-up for Sleeping Beauty). It took me a long time to get around to watching it. I finally remembered it and checked it out of the library this spring. Upon watching it I knew I had to add it to my collection. Angelina Jolie was made to play Maleficent. The story is interesting and innovative. I especially appreciate the ending. Yes, it is a bit weird that such a kind, sunny, powerful child was named, as an infant, Maleficent. The movie could have included a scene in which a prophetic fairy brooded over her birth and named her in anticipation of what was to come in her life. But, the movie was made for kids, so it probably didn't occur to the makers that a child might know what the name contains in the way of strict definition. Maybe the movie makers didn't know, either. Oh well. The life of the princess was also a bit ho-hum. But I don't care. What I care about is every scene that involved the definition of Maleficent and I was not disappointed. I also enjoy the combination of live-action and animation. Well done, I thought. So, anyway, I'm satisfied and I will watch this movie again and again, just to gaze upon the magnificence of Maleficent. Thank you, Disney.
Roger Ebert's website also has an interesting meditation provoked by this movie and written by Libby Hill, on how Hollywood, and, thus, our culture, is reimagining women and their roles in society.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Angelina Jolie Maleficent Ella Purnell Teen Maleficent Elle Fanning Aurora Janet McTeer Elderly Aurora/Narrator Sharlto Copley Stefan Sam Riley Diaval Imelda Staunton Knotgrass Juno Temple Thistlewit Lesley Manville Flittle Brenton Thwaites Prince Phillip Kenneth Cranham King Henry Hannah New Princess Leila
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Robert Stromberg.
Labels: adventure1, drama5, elle-fanning, fantasy2, imelda-staunton, me-favorite1, pseudo-cgi-animation, super-hero2, women's-movie1
