by Sheryl Wall
Special coupon for Dinuba Platinum Theatre at the end of this review.
Maleficent is a Disney movie about her life and how she became known as an evil fairy. It’s a new take on the story of Sleeping Beauty. The movie starts out with Maleficent as a young yet powerful fairy in the peaceful Magical Moors that borders the human land and how she met a human boy and fell in love with him. Stefan, the young boy, grows up and doesn’t come back for many years. One day he returns but ends up betraying her to impress the dying King by cutting off her wings as she sleeps and taking them to the Castle. Stefan is made King because of his act of betraying Maleficent. She becomes bitter and revengeful against him and becomes known as an evil fairy. She ends up saving a crow by turning him into a human so he can escape the trap he was stuck in and he becomes her constant companion. Maleficent often shapes shift him into many creatures to suit her needs. 
As the years pass, King Stefan gets married and has a baby girl. Maleficent takes revenge on the King by cursing their baby Aurora (Played by Elle Fanning as a teenager later in the movie) with a sleeping curse. When she turns 16, she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel brindle and fall asleep forever. The only way to break the curse is with true loves kiss, which Maleficent believes does not exist. The king sends Aurora away for 16 years and a day with three pixies to care for her and keep her safe from the curse. However, the pixies do not know how to care for a baby and do a poor job at keeping her safe. Maleficent watches from afar and starts taking care of the baby’s needs and ends up growing to care for Aurora. As her sixteenth birthday approaches, she tries to break the spell but the curse is too strong.
Sleeping Beauty has always been one of my least favorite Disney movies. However, the new twist that Maleficent gives to the story makes this movie one of my favorites. It’s really well done and makes much more sense then the original movie did. I love the bond that grows between Maleficent and Aurora and how she brings the good back to life in a very bitter and hurt fairy. I think it’s interesting that the young Aurora was played by Vivienne Jolie-Pitt who is the daughter of Angelina Jolie who plays Maleficent. This movie definitely is a well done and fun story. It’s a must see film for the summer.
Maleficent is currently playing at Dinuba Platinum Theatres 6, also in 3D. Showtimes can be found on their website. Platinum Theaters Dinuba 6 now proudly presents digital quality films in 2-D and 3-D with 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound to maximize your movie experience.
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Great review! Now I want to see it!