Maleficent (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray) [2014] [Region Free]

TITLE: "Malificent" SEEN ON: Amazon Prime - Rental RELEASE: 2014 REVIEW DATE: 01/01/15 MY OPINION: DPW = Definitely Popcorn Worthy, so it is worth watching!! •••• WARNING: SPOILER ALERT ••• I often include SPOILERS in my reviews, some much more than others. If you read my reviews, you take the chance of learning more than you expect to about the story, plot, key events, and it could potentially take away the anticipation, Fun, or your desire to see the moview, out of watching the movie. So, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED! If you read on, it is your choice!! *** Definitely Popcorn Worthy! I would wager that this is one of those movies you (and/or the kids), do not mind watching multiple times over time, just to make sure that you didn't miss anything! And, because you still can't believe that you really enjoyed watching, what you thought was just going to be, yet another same old/classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. While it remains true to its original Sleeping Beauty fairytale roots, "Maleficent", is 'magnificent' enough of a movie to stand out from the crowd of past SB versions, and with very little work, it could stand alone as a 'boy meets girl' movie plot in and of itself. Not surprising (especially, if you have even glanced at a single critic's review of this movie by any magazine, newspaper, or cinema genre website, etc.) Angelina Jolie once more gives audiences an incredible performance as the main fantasy character, "Maleficent", who is initially a fairy child, but who grows into a Fairy territory guardian force more than able to hold her own. Fairy and Human relations are tense to begin with, and only grow more dire over the course of this Fairy's tale. Particularly, once a still innocent & trusting, but now fully grown Maleficent gets betrayed by the only human (a male - go figure!), whom she first befriends when they are both children, and he is caught trying to pilfer fairy "gems". As a villainous hero with a good heart (even if that goodness temporarily gets buried DEEP inside under all of the evil intentions produced by the physical & emotional scars of being betrayed), "Maleficent", is the star that shines through out this newly crafted retelling of the classic tale of, 'Sleeping Beauty' (SB). You will undoubtedly recognize many of the Actor/Actress's faces seen through out this film from a wide variety of popular previous film and television credits. In example, Harry Potter Fans will quickly spot a, still very bossy, blast from Harry's past at Hogworts in the guise of actress, Imelda Staunton, who played the character, Professor Dolores Jane Umbridge, in Harry Potter, and who appears in "Malificent" as the leader of a trio of woodland fairies, charged by the Human King with keeping the adorable and innocent Princess (SB) safe until after her 16th birthday, at which time, in theory SB would then be safe from her pending SB curse. The other undeniable star through out this film is Princess Aurora (played by Elle Fanning), and is this Fairytale's version of Sleeping Beauty. I really enjoyed this updated version of Sleeping Beauty's Fairytale. The fact that the story focused more on a completely unexpected, and surprisingly in-depth alternate main character in the form of "Maleficent", really only served to flesh out the behind the scene motivations driving the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, and not detract in any way from the timeless original story. I am not certain how this movie coincides with (or even if it does), Angelina Jolie's previous health issues, and I admit to not having seen a movie with Jolie in it for a few years, but the initial shocker for me, was Jolie's (I'm sure intentional) gaunt facial appearance and unmissable thin frame. Gone are the youthful vitality, softly squared jawed, and large full lipped model of Angelina Jolie's, younger Tomb Raiders past. This Jolie has an air of aged maturity, wrapped in the mantle of shocking thinness, but she still has no less, of a commanding on screen presence. I can't imagine another actress who could have pulled off this role both so effectively, or so ultimately unforgettably. I have to also mention that Elle Fanning may initially strike one as playing Sleeping Beauty, in this movie, Princess Aurora, as a bit over the top innocent, except I once saw a daytime interview featuring Elle Fanning and she is either so dedicated to her craft as to always be "in character" or she is just that seemingly naively innocent in real life. Though difficult to believe, I kind of think that's just how sweet and innocent she really is. I just hope that time, hollywood's influence, and the greed of others, doesn't change her too much or too soon, and it spares her the type of fate it typically holds for those with good souls. "Maleficent" is Definitely Popcorn Worthy. As a matter of fact, make lots of popcorn, because you will want to see this movie multiple times, just to make sure you didn't miss any of the cool visual effects, or cool characters. It is certainly a movie for the entire family, and if you have kids, you will definitely be watching this more than once. I'm not one to say this often, but "Maleficent" is worth purchasing and keeping in your video library to watch again later, or in case you need a movie that will temporarily entertain the kids from start to finish, all over again.

Great rental easy to access and on demand for our movie. We rented this for a college student home for the weekend with friends so we had people from 15-40 watching this movie. Maleficent has a great ending so make sure you make it until the end!

Love this movie series! Almost predictable, but there are a few surprises in this movie.

A lot of reviewers slashed this version of the movie to shreds because of cuts made in the original theater version. I cannot fault them in the slightest. If I had seen both versions I would probably feel the same. I wonder how long the American public will allow the studios to continue their shameful practices. In many cases you cannot purchase a blueray disc without it coming in a 2 disc set. If you have a blueray player why would you want a regular DVD? It is my opinion that the studios shove this down our throats because of greed. Now I buy a DVD and find out that it is not the complete version. The studios did it to me again. Now I'll get down from my soapbox. I refuse to go to theaters so I did not see the original theater version. Since this is the only version I have seen, it is the version I will review. The bottom line is that I am only writing this review to help people make a purchasing decision. Would someone want to sit down with their family on Saturday night and watch this? The answer is a resounding, "Yes!" I normally am not a great fan of Angelina Jolie but I have to admit that she really ripped out a goodun this time. I cannot think of anyone else that could have done the job that she did in this role. I have not seen Elle Fanning before and now I am as big a fan of her as I am her sister. I have always loved Dakota and the way Elle’s smile lights up the screen makes me a fan of the pair of them. There is acting talent in that family. The chemistry between Elle and Angelina really drew me in and had me completely captivated. I really liked this movie. I love it when a movie surprises me and turns out to be great when I first was hesitant to watch it. I was not even distracted by the flying which usually obviously is by wire but was done well in this movie. I now have another version of the classic tale. I have read all of the works by the Brothers Grimm and have to say that I am not as enthralled by them as most people. This version of Sleeping Beauty is by far better than anything they ever wrote. It is serious and funny. It is cute but ugly when the need arises. The music is spot on and the special effects are really well done. I recommend it!

I loooooooooooove Maleficent. This is the better of the two, in my opinion. I have it on DVD, but I finally gave in and paid to stream it anywhere. A good movie to watch when you’re on vacation and you have the entire suite/King bed to yourself.

Jammer dat het niet beschreven staat, pas bij levering achter gekomen dat er geen NL ondertiteling op zit. Wel Pools, Zweeds, Noors.

Ho acquistato questo Blu-ray 3D edizione (Regno Unito) per un regalo; diversamente dalla descrizione non è presente la lingua italiana e l'articolo è stato consegnato con un ritardo rilevante! Ovviamente non è un commento sul film, che volevo regalare in 3D proprio perché mi era piaciuto molto; chiaramente i disservizi non dipendono da Amazon, dato che è fornito da un venditore terzo, ma sarebbe opportuno far variare la descrizione!!

Good movie.

Der Film entwickelt eine ganz eigene Fantasy-Geschichte um Aurora (aka "Dornröschen") und die Fee "Malificent", die sie als Baby verfluchte. Dabei gefällt mir gut, dass etliche (leider nicht alle) Figuren ambivalente Charaktere besitzen und sich im Film auch wandeln können, und das oft auch ihre Beweggründe dafür klar werden. Das ist erfrischend anders gegenüber typischen Superheldenfilmen, wo die Guten gut und die Bösen von Anfang bis Ende abgrundtief Böse sind, weil ... ja, weil man halt einen Bösewicht im Film braucht. Die Schauspieler können mich größtenteils überzeugen, vor allem Angelina Jolie als dunkle Fee, Elle Fanning als Aurora und Sam Riley als Diaval. Die drei guten Feen haben in diesem Film leider nur undankbare Rollen als "Lachnummern" abbekommen und bleiben blass. Auch die Figur von "König Stefan" hätte mehr Potential gehabt und verfällt zu sehr in Klischees. (Spoiler: Sein Ende etwa erinnert zu sehr an das von Gaston aus "Die Schöne und das Biest" und andere Disney-Filme) Vieles im Film erinnert an den 3D-Film "Die fantastische Welt von Oz", die Schauplätze in den Mooren sind genauso farbenfroh-kindlich-märchenhaft, der 3D-Effekt genauso gut, wenngleich man bei diesem Film zum Glück auf kitschige Popout-3D-Effekte verzichtet hat. Sprich: Die 3D-Gestaltung wird gut eingesetzt, drängt sich aber nie in den Vordergrund. Typisch Disney kann ich bezüglich Bild- und Tonqualität nicht meckern und es gibt etliche sehenswerte Extras, etwa entfallene Szenen, mehrere kurze "Making-Of"- Dokus und eine Bildergallerie. Typisch Disney kommt die 3D-Blu-Ray in einem unnötig komplizierten, dickeren Jevel-Case ohne Wendecover. Die FSK-Einschätzung von "ab 12" teile ich. Es fließt zwar (sogut wie) kein Blut, aber gekämpft und gestorben wird in den Schlachten sowie beim "Showdown" am Ende viel. Zwar erschien mir der Film nicht so düster, wie ich befürchtet hatte, aber ein Kinderfilm ist es sicher nicht. Trotzdem einer der besseren Disney-Fantasyfilme.

"Let us tell an old story anew and see how well you know it." This is the opening line of "Maleficent", a re-imagining of the story of "Sleeping Beauty", as presented from the standpoint of the wicked fairy who casts the sleeping spell. The hex is one made by a woman scorned and, according to this revisionist fairy tale, soon regretted. So many times fairy tales do not transfer to the big screen without becoming Disney-esque. "Maleficent" aspires to be about how, no matter how evil someone might seem, there is something deeply hurt and human inside. Our sympathies lie with the benevolent-turned-malevolent heroine, and, as the story progresses, more surprises and twists are to be found. Maleficent constantly has to fight against her own bitterness and disappointment, being physically and emotionally crippled. Betrayed by her loved one, and the assault of having her wings cut-off, transform her from a villain into a heroine, and turn the film into a revenge story with a feminist undertone. Every subsequent action Maleficent takes is driven by the trauma of this betrayal. As an evil creature and a woman with magical powers, she could easily wreak havoc on humankind. However, misunderstood by humans, she seeks isolation and has contact with only one person, who knows her as the brave and kind soul she really is (talk about twisting a story and a protagonist!). Admittedly, director Robert Stromberg had quite a challenge on his hands, transforming a character into someone contemporary audiences could identify with. Reinventing a fairytale, in an attempt to bring fresh life to a well-worn fable is a demanding task. There is so much to look at in the movie, and for the most part Stromberg maintains a balance between the spectacle and the intimacy of the story. As far as the technical part and the visual effects is concerned, the level of craft on display is exquisite, with the art directors, costume designers, and effects technicians exhibiting an impressive consistency throughout the movie. The most extraordinary visual effect, though, is Jolie herself. James Newton Howard's score is a stirring, impassioned musical treat that enhances the film. Accordingly, my favourite girl Lana Del Rey's gothy version of "Once upon a dream", is a perfect fit for this movie, with her mesmerising vocals sound haunting as well as soothing. Dark and unpredictable, entertaining and bold, exciting and moving, "Maleficent" turns out to be a superb retelling of a classic story. If Charlize Theron's Queen Ravenna from "Snow White and the Huntsman" was the ultimate Evil Queen, Jolie's Maleficent triumphs. It totally feels as if she was born to play this role, she is Maleficent! Evil can be immensely enjoyable and here is the proof. "Maleficent" is truly magnificent. UPDATE (3/11): The transfer to blu-ray is incredible. The visuals are fantastic, the film is one of those that, when presented properly, one can marvel at the exceptional work that was done technically (vibrant colours, sharp contrasts, and though the movie is a little too CGI-heavy, it all looks amazing). Audio-wise, great sound design, nothing overpowering, with beautiful details that a demanding ear loves to spot. The only downfall is the few extras, which work as an appetiser, rather than satisfy the fans who expect an array of bonus material. Some of these features may vary slightly from one edition to another, depending on where you choose to purchase from, but they are basically the same. I bought the blu-ray+DVD+HD edition, so, the specifications and extras listed below are to be found on that edition. Last, but not least, let me inform you about the gorgeous-looking, region-free, Zavvi exclusive steelbook blu-ray of "Meleficent", which contains the 3D+2D versions of the film. It is a stunning-looking package, with a glossy black finish to it, and beautiful embossed details on the front cover (the title, and particularly Maleficent's eyes), plain back cover, and inside artwork. Available while stock lasts, for collectors and fans of the film, make sure you check for it before it sells out. List of contents: Aspect ratio: 16:9 (2.40:1) Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, English: 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French and Spanish: 5.1 Dolby Digital Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish Total run time: 129' (feature film - 97', bonus features - 32') Extra features: Deleted scenes (6:40) Aurora: Becoming A Beauty - Elle Fanning reveals her lifelong love of Disney's original animated classic (4:53) From Fairy Tale To Feature Film - Reimagining Maleficent for a new generation (8:13) Building An Epic Battle - Creating the clash between Maleficent and King Henry's forces (5:48) Classic Couture - Examine Maleficent's spellbinding head wraps and jewelry (1:35) Maleficent Revealed - Explore the layers of extraordinary special effects (4:45)