Film Review on Maleficent Saanvi Kunisetty

 Film Review on Maleficent

Saanvi Kunisetty

We’ve all heard the classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty- once upon a time there was a kind king named Stefan, who had a daughter named Aurora. Evil Maleficent came and cursed Aurora for no apparent reason that she would prick her finger on a spindle on her sixteenth birthday. Everyone was devastated, the good fairies took Aurora away, and all the spindles were burnt and broken. Aurora met a handsome prince one day, and then somehow managed to still prick her finger on a spindle, went into a deep slumber, and was saved by the kiss of a Prince whom she had only met once, and never even really known. Aurora was saved, she and the prince lived happily ever after, and Maleficent was defeated. 

Classic, like I said. A little lackluster, even. It’s the same old story of princess is hurt by evil witch, princess meets prince, falls in love, prince saves the day.  The movie “Maleficent” is an exquisite and intriguing take on this story. Why does Maleficent become evil? What makes her so bent on hurting an innocent child and the kingdom of King Stefan?

What I love about the movie is that it provides an insight as to why Maleficent becomes so-called “evil.” No one is born and just decides to be evil. We all wish to be loved by others, and we all wish to have loved ones in our life. Humans are social beings, and we need those relationships and interconnections. We only become cold-hearted when something traumatic happens to us, if we are hurt, and suddenly feel the urge to push everyone away because we can’t bear what happened. 

A similar thing occurs with Maleficent. Originally a kind fairy, and an immensely powerful one too, she was the sole protector of the fairy world. As a child, she came across Stefan, and though humans and magical creatures did not interact, Stefan and Maleficent developed a friendship, which as they grew, morphed into love. On Maleficent’s sixteenth birthday, Stefan gave her “true love’s kiss”, and though Maleficent felt it to be true, she would slowly start to realize that Stefan did not feel that, as he was now engulfed by greed to become king. In order to do so, he betrayed Maleficent, tricked her, and ripped out her wings. 

Heartbroken, Maleficent slowly began to transform into her “evil” self, looking for a way to avenge her betrayal. That was how she came to curse Aurora when the baby was born. As time went on, Maleficent looked after baby Aurora where the fairies were hiding her. She did not show it, but she came to love the child. Aurora grew up to be beautiful and kind-hearted, and even encountered Maleficent. Thinking her to be her fairy godmother, they spent plenty of time with each other, and grew very close. Maleficent sought to revoke the curse she had placed on the girl, but was unfortunately unable too. When Aurora found out who her “fairy godmother” really was from the fairies, she ran away (but not before meeting the handsome Prince Philip.) 

With Aurora’s sixteenth birthday approaching, Stefan was seeking Maleficent and sending his soldiers to their own death in order to find and kill her. Maleficent knew that if she stepped foot into the palace, she would be killed. Regardless, she sought to stop Aurora, and brought Prince Philip, in hopes that he could deliver true love’s kiss and wake the princess. She did not believe in such a thing, but knew it was the only hope she could have.

The upcoming scene was perhaps the best part, in my opinion of the movie. When Prince Philip’s attempt doesn’t work, Maleficent is devastated. She pines for Aurora to be with her, and in this moment, we see that her facade of power and indifference is let down. Whatever part of her heart that Stefan had not crushed had been taken by Aurora. With a heavy heart, she placed a kiss on Aurora’s forehead, preparing to say good-bye. True love’s kiss had been delivered unintentionally. Aurora woke, King Stefan was defeated, and Maleficent’s were released from captivity by Aurora so she could have them once more. Aurora was crowned queen of the lands, and all was well.