The best summary of this film is style over substance. The sets, costumes, makeup, and CGI are gorgeous (by today’s standards). Things do not look realistic, but for a fantasy environment, the film pulls it off really well. The costumes, especially Maleficent’s, are stunning, and it is clear they put effort into all the little details. Sadly, all the other aspects of the film fail to live up to how it looks. The characters are bland. So much time is wasted on characters that do nothing, and Maleficent does not get near enough screen time. Aurora (Elle Fanning) and Prince Phillip (Harris Dickinson) are dreadful to have on camera. The characters are the opposite of charismatic and the actors don’t do anything notable with what they are given. It is hard to appreciate anyone but Maleficent and her raven lackey. They really carry the movie, but don’t get enough focus.
The tone bounces from war drama to made for TV Disney Channel movie with ding sound effects for winks. Characters go from contemplating genocide to getting a slide whistle when they fall. The film obviously wanted to appeal to family audiences while also appealing to fans that wanted the gritty Sleeping Beauty, and they didn’t mix well. The themes and morals set up never have a good payoff. They are surface level at best and it feels like the writers are ticking boxes of what “should” be said rather than telling a story. Every time symbolism appears on screen, it is so brutally focused that even people half watching the movie and playing on their phone could get it. This is the kind of movie you have playing in the background of a kid’s birthday party. You don’t need to think, the story is so simple you can join anywhere, and its pretty to look at.
It is a shame that Disney could not make something substantial with the resources, budget and famous IP that they have. The potential of this project is enormous and they had a grand stage to execute, but it feels like everyone except the costume designers just wanted their paycheck. There are clear moments of creatures being shown specifically to sell merchandise. Most of the creatures get too much screen time and deliver nothing to the story or film in general. As these things run around, all that can be thought of is the stuffed animals Disney is planning to sell. This sequel tries to expand a world no one cared about to begin with, introducing cliche backstories and motivations for its characters with as little effort as possible. For Maleficent being the “queen of evil,” she can barely be counted as the main character. She is greatly underused, and does not match her title at all.
The saving graces for this film come from Angelina Jolie and the wonderful costume and makeup team. Jolie plays the part perfectly and captures the essence of Maleficent with her performance. Accompanied with her amazing outfits, it is easy to believe she is actually the “Mistress of Evil.” If only the world and characters surrounding her could live up to her powerful existence.
2/5 STARS