The film ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’, is a live-action retelling of the Disney classic ‘Sleeping Beauty’. A sequel to the first film released in 2014, the characters are even darker this time around. The core of the film is centred around the love between a mother and her child: Aurora (played by Elle Fanning) and Maleficent (Angelina Jolie). A departure from the first film, where Maleficent hated and in turn cursed Aurora; this film is based on the love they share.
Maleficent and Aurora’s newly developed bond is put to the test when Aurora becomes engaged to Prince Philip. Maleficent is against the engagement and seems to butt heads with Philip’s mother, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. The script presents viewers with three very different, yet equally headstrong, women. It is soon revealed that Maleficent’s distrust towards Pfeiffer is not unfounded; as Aurora’s new mother-in-law turns out to be a threat against the Moors.
The film is darker than parents would anticipate, with a fair share of violence and warfare. However, it still veers towards being an entertaining children’s film with hallmark Disney special effects and action. The plot of the film is lost at points, amidst the battles and sub-plots. However, for those invested in Maleficent (the villain turned hero), it is worth a watch.