07/15/2018 A perfect movie for children of all ages, even those so old that they probably know the first name of the Grim Reaper (that's a really old viewer). A well done fantasy storyline of how good will eventually triumph over evil, a fairy princess story for little girls. Angelina Jolie plays the dark queen so well. The animated medieval period backdrops are perfect recreations of an early period in time, wonderful to see, as well the movies fantasy forest and the many different creatures that live within. That in itself will delight the hearts of children of any age. Find a child and watch it right now .......... An Absolutely Perfect family safe movie! Bon Appetit

Jolie is sublime in the role and the great set design and atmosphere add to the charms of this delightful film by Robert Straumberg. Go watch it in the theaters the way it is meant to be seen. (A great gothic tale)

I really think that this is Angelina Jolie's BEST role. I feel that this movie obliterated the original book and Disney animated version of the story. I am a huge fan of backstory and it was simply amazing to discover how Maleficent became the "villain" of Sleeping Beauty."Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." It is impossible to not relate to Maleficent after what Stefan does to her. Who wouldn't want revenge? This movie is amazing because in the original we have no idea why she crashes the christening and curses the child, she just seems pure evil for no reason. Where is the fun or poetry in that?Her chemistry with Aurora was beautiful, I have never seen such an enchanting relationship between two non-related people. She clearly comes to view Aurora as the daughter she never had and who she would have had with Stefan had he not betrayed her. It was so poetic how when she tried to undo the curse while Aurora was sleeping that it wouldn't work because her hatred of Stefan and his family was deeper at the time of the curse than her present love for Aurora is. I was hoping it would be her true love's kiss that broke the spell, that was a stunning twist.It is also beautiful that Stefan is the one who robbed Maleficent of her wings and Aurora, his daughter who she cursed out of spite, is the one who returns her wings and thus her life to her. I loved the crow that she turned into a man and ultimately befriended, that was a magnificent addition. It was so cute how much he cared for Aurora and how loyal he was to his mistress. I like to believe that they ended up together in the end when they are seen soaring through the sky together.Stefan's death is very poetic because he is falling from grace and he tried so hard and sacrificed his former life and love to get atop his glowing pedestal as King. The only thing that struck me as kind of odd was that there were no other fairies who seemed to resemble Maleficent. The rest of them were all lesser creatures and not humanoids. Maybe the rest of them had fled and chose to stay in the shadows of the fairy world when Maleficent took over. And I guess Angelina would have been a scene stealer anyway so they didn't feel like more fairies like her would be necessary.Hands down one of my favorite movies EVER and definitely the best depiction of a Disney "villain"

There are people here who are disappointed that this movie has no resemblance to the animated movie from decades ago...but that is presumably the intended idea. The movie is certainly scary and violent without being gory, but definitely don't take little kids to see this one. It will be quite unsuited for them.Maleficent begins life as an immature fairy in a beautiful, harmonious fairy world next to a conventional and harsh kingdom. She is visited by Stefan, a boy of a similar age from the kingdom, who implies that someday he will live in the king's castle. An innocent romance begins, but soon ends as the boy grows older, and the current ruler of the kingdom attempts to invade the fairy world with his army to steal its treasures, only to fail. As the old king is dying, Stefan claims the throne by amputating and stealing the fairy's wings. He gets the crown, marries, and has a baby daughter...only for the now-embittered and vengeful Maleficent to arrive and place a curse on the daughter. Stefan is forced to have his daughter raised by three fairies to try to keep her safe...and in the process, becomes embittered and vengeful himself. But over the years, as the daughter grows up, unaware of what had happened, Maleficent sees her and starts having second thoughts. But the cold war has started between Maleficent and Stefan; can Maleficent undo the damage she has done?Like most characters in recent fairy tale-themed movies, nobody is entirely good or evil, and everyone is the victim of the attitudes of their respective cultures and eras. Good for teenagers or above, but too upsetting for the young kids.