Maleficent Review: My Thoughts and Fascination #MaleficentEvent

Disclosure: This event and trip to LA was an all expense paid journey sponsored by Disney. All thoughts, experiences, character crushes and opinions are 100% my own!

Maleficent is rated PG and hits theaters TODAY May 30th, 2014!!

Goosebumps just moments into a film is almost always a good sign. In the case of Maleficent, it meant that I instantly new (and I am not joking one bit) that I was in love with this film. I’m not saying that it will be the same for everyone, but for me, there was an instant connection to this film. I loved watching this story unfold, and as each knew piece was revealed, I fell deeper and deeper into this story. Deeper because as I started to realize where it was all heading, forcing us (me) to think about things. Things that make a movie get under your skin and make your analyze things in your own life. I’m still analyzing.

“…you’re not able to be this soft person that you were born to be. And then what could possibly ever bring you back? But the thing that brings her back is very much the thing that brought me back.” ~Angelina Jolie

Every villain has a story, of course, and Maleficent is no exception. It’s her subtle and quite sarcastic sense of humor, I think, that has always kept us guessing. Although she did the unthinkable by cursing the royal baby, she has fascinated Disney fans for years with her eloquent mannerisms and iconic stares.

Maleficent (the film) reveals to us so many of the things that have always been a mystery about Maleficent (the character). While I am certain that we always knew this, it is her loneliness that feeds her dark and wicked persona. What caused her to feel so alone? You will hang on every wicked word as the story is revealed. I did. I honestly felt like I watched this movie with my mouth wide open.

The characters in this film are all very likable and there is a fun sense of humor that carries throughout the entire movie. I felt like these characters were cast perfectly, as each one leads you to love (or dislike) them accordingly. Angelina brought so much intensity to this character, and I can’t think of a more perfect person for this role. It’s a wonderful blend of elegance and confidence mixed in with a charm that is fascinating.

The relationships in Maleficent are full of passion and emotion which only builds as the story unfolds. I enjoyed that each relationship has it’s own story. Many of the relationships are challenged (as relationships often are) and by the end of the film, the characters are fighting for the things that mean the most to them (as people often do) … but don’t think that means that the outcome of this film is predictable, because there are many twists and turns, especially at the end! (*don’t take a bathroom break if you can help it, trust me on this!)

I am a huge fan of NOT spoiling story lines, and this film is one that I think has so many shock-factor moments, that I highly suggest that rather than reading reviews, you just get yourself to the theater and see it for yourself. I love that I literally had NO clue what was going to happen next, but those jaw dropping moments were all the more exciting because of it. And that is what I wish for you. In my opinion, you would do yourself a HUGE favor to go into this movie with an open heart and mind, and just let the story pull you in.

This movie held my attention the entire time. It’s a great blend of humor, action, adventure, and even a little romance. What ages will enjoy this film? The film is rated PG, and I think that’s pretty appropriate. My opinion is that parents will have to decide based on each childs’ sensitivity level when it comes to their ability to understand and enjoy this movie. Some scenes are a bit intense, but the language is very clean and the story line is fun for kids (they will love the fairies!) but if you have a small child that is easily frightened then I suggest seeing the film first to make that decision.

So, without giving too much away, I can tell you this. The battle scenes are brilliant. The scenery and costume design is amazing. This movie is a wild ride of love, passion, deception, heartbreak, revenge, anger, sacrifice, selfishness, selflessness, innocence, evil, hatred, mystery, forgiveness, greed and ultimately … that one thing that of which fairytales are made of, love.

Is there a message? There are many. And I probably think that each of us will have a different take away. In fact, I can’t wait to see it again as my mind is still thinking through some of the moments and messages that spoke to me the most, but one that really stood out to me was the answer that Sharlto Copley gave in his interview regarding the message that he took from this film, he said: