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Maleficent

Play trailer 1:31 Poster for Maleficent PG Released May 30, 2014 1h 38m Fantasy Adventure Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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54% Tomatometer 274 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the land, Maleficent rises up to become its fiercest protector. However, a terrible betrayal hardens her heart and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. She engages in an epic battle with the invading king's successor, then curses his newborn daughter, Aurora -- realizing only later that the child holds the key to peace in the kingdom.
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Maleficent

Maleficent

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Critics Consensus

Angelina Jolie's magnetic performance outshines Maleficent's dazzling special effects; unfortunately, the movie around them fails to justify all that impressive effort.

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Critics Reviews

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Suzette Smith Bitch Media As the sum of all its parts, Maleficent is a downright fun film. Jan 21, 2021 Full Review Chris Stuckmann ChrisStuckmann.com Angelina Jolie is good in the film, and I do think kids will dig this movie. Rated: B- Dec 14, 2018 Full Review Philippa Hawker The Age (Australia) It's a splendid-looking film. The effects are striking throughout, whether they are dramatic battle confrontations between humans and the forces of the natural world, or small moments of delicate detail. Rated: 3/5 Dec 14, 2018 Full Review Cory Woodroof For the Win (USA Today) Even if Maleficent has its faults, you can experience this one and get some separation from the film from which it takes its inspiration. May 27, 2023 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand It is a righteous revenge film, but with a feminist twist and a redemptive journey. Oct 9, 2022 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review By the end, one cannot help but wish that Disney had left Maleficent a fascinating villain instead of a dull protagonist. Rated: 1/4 Aug 15, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Victor W Nothing like the original. Completely ruins a timeless classic. The king is a traitorous lunatic instead of noble. The 3 fairies are incompetent and impotent, more like the 3 stooges, and worse yet, they are very selfish. Maleficient does not even begin to live up to her namesake, she is mildly bad, mostly good, unlike the real story where she is dreadfully evil, one of the best villains of all time. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/09/25 Full Review Audience Member its a good movie with a good plot and an good cast Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/29/25 Full Review SkyRo P I'm choosing to review both films in the Maleficent franchise together, as they have both been released, and this gives me a chance to discuss them simultaneously. The series features Angelina Jolie in the titular role of the iconic character, Maleficent. Disney films always manage to capture my attention and let me relive my childhood, and these films are no exception. While some critics have been harsh on the live-action adaptations, there are indeed moments that evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth, allowing viewers to reconnect with their inner child. That said, the screenplay does have its shortcomings, with some dry patches that transform Maleficent into a more sympathetic antihero. This shift in characterization can make it challenging to see her as the malevolent figure she was initially portrayed to be. I hope that a third installment will delve deeper into her character arc, allowing her to embrace her darker nature rather than presenting her as a misunderstood sweetheart, which detracts from the essence of Maleficent. I found Elle Fanning’s portrayal of Princess Aurora somewhat surprising; she doesn't quite embody the princess archetype as one might expect. Instead, she comes across more like a sidekick or a stepsister, which isn’t meant to be a slight against her talent. It’s simply a reflection of how she presents the character, which feels a bit flat and lacking the regal presence typically associated with royalty. In comparison, the first film is certainly better written than its sequel. I appreciated the cinematography and the world-building in the original, which captured the essence of the character beautifully. As the franchise progressed, I enjoyed watching Maleficent's descent into darkness. However, the second film hinted at her potential for evil but didn’t quite deliver. I want to see her fully embrace her role as a dark mistress, even if she isn’t technically a queen, and channel that powerful presence she embodies. As for Prince Charming, he should be a captivating, larger-than-life character in this franchise. Ironically, he feels more like an afterthought. While Harris Dickinson stepped in as the prince, I believe Disney missed a trick by not bringing back Brenton Thwaites. Dickinson, although talented, doesn’t quite fit the role, and his longer hair just didn’t work, making him come off as somewhat silly. Throughout the franchise, we’ve seen Diablo evolve into a human character, adding depth to his role. However, the introduction of Pinto was a bit perplexing. I'm still unsure of the character's gender; if Pinto is female, the shirtless look is confusing, and if male, it seems more fitting. Regardless, Pinto is a cute character, one that I’d love to see as a plush toy, although it’s disappointing that the marketing didn’t capitalize on this. In conclusion, both films are enjoyable and worth revisiting. I believe the franchise should continue, but it needs a stronger screenplay to develop the story further. It’s time to explore a new direction that empowers Maleficent, gives Princess Aurora her rightful narrative arc, and brings back the prince to fulfill his role in the story. Overall, Angelina Jolie remains the standout casting choice in this series. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/25 Full Review Raí C Angelina Jolie's magnetic performance outshines Maleficent's dazzling special effects; unfortunately, the movie around them fails to justify all that impressive effort. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/16/25 Full Review Carlos T Filme: Malévola @malevola #malevola #abelaadormecida Assistido: 24-12-24 Elenco: @angelinajolie @ellefanning @sam._riley._ @junotemple @ella_purnell @vivjoliepitt @sharlotocopleyofficial @brentonthwaites Modelo: #fantasia #ação #aventura #disney Duração: 1h 37m Ano: 2014 Minha opinião: Este filme é uma versão de “A Bela Adormecida”, porem do que ter a Bela como protagonista, aqui temos Malévola vivido por Jolie. Onde aqui fazem da bruxa má, um outro ar, de que sendo má, mas pode se torna boa. Filme bem produzido, com ótimo CGI, estamos falando da Disney. Boas atuações de todo o elenco, ressalva para as fadinhas e ao rei. Temos aqui a mesma estória que a Bela recebe uma maldição de Malévola de quando fizer 16 anos irá ser espetada por uma agulha e adormecerá, a não se receber um beijo do verdadeiro amor. Bela é criada pelas fadas. Mas no processo Malevola vai tendo afinidade por Bela, até que criam um verdadeira amizade e Malévola tenta cortar a maldição, mas não consegue. Uma versão que reformularam de forma inteligente. Roteiro e enredo bela elaborado. Vale apena assistir? Sim Nota: 8 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/26/24 Full Review Audience Member Love the fantasy element and the ending. Beautiful scenery. Wish I voukd live in the moors Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/10/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Maleficent

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Movie Info

Synopsis As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the land, Maleficent rises up to become its fiercest protector. However, a terrible betrayal hardens her heart and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. She engages in an epic battle with the invading king's successor, then curses his newborn daughter, Aurora -- realizing only later that the child holds the key to peace in the kingdom.
Director
Robert Stromberg
Producer
Joe Roth
Screenwriter
Linda Woolverton
Distributor
Walt Disney
Production Co
Roth Films, Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
PG (Sequences of Fantasy Action|Frightening Images|Sequences of Fantasy Violence)
Genre
Fantasy, Adventure, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 30, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 4, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$241.4M
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, Datasat
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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