Maleficent movie review by Larry Novotny

Maleficent is a pretty good movie. Based on Walt Disney's classic animated film "Sleeping Beauty", Maleficent is a retelling of that famed story but adds more insights into Maleficent's past and her on-again/off-again relationship with young Stefan and later King Stefan. The film is touching, heart-warming, beautiful but also dark, dangerous, and trecherous.

Lying underneath the surface is the story of how young love can turn into intense hatred, bitterness and scorn. Hatred makes people do some terrible things. But Love does conquer all, if you give Love a chance, just a spark of a chance. Redemption is there for the taking. Who has the courage to ask for it?

The fairy-tale landscape is split into two kingdoms. On one side lives the evil, treacherous, wicked, jealous, and greedy Humans. On the other side is the idyllic world of fairies, pixies, gnomes, walking trees, etc. The Human world is ruled over by a King and Queen. The fairy world has no ruler. Here, everyone is an equal, a Garden of Eden.

Into the idyllic world ventures young Stefan (Michael Higgins), a stableboy who has lost both of his parents. He promptly "steals" a small stone from the stream. Stefan is prevented from leaving by the tree-like guardians. Young Maleficent (Isobelle Molloy) intervenes. Maleficent takes the stolen gem and places it back in the stream. Incredulously, Stefan asks why she dropped the stone in the stream. Maleficent is merely returning it to its rightful place. This simple misunderstanding eventually leads to the major conflict between the two.

As the years pass, Stefan returns to visit Maleficent and the innocent youngster's friendship turns to young love. Stefan dreams of one day becoming King and living in the large castle on the hill. Stefan knows this is only a fantasy. As a stableboy, he hasn't a spits chance in hell.

Opportunity comes knocking for Stefan (Sharlto Copley) when the aged and bitter King Henry (Kenneth Cranham) declares he will crown as King anyone who avenges his disasterous attempt to conquer the fairy world by killing Maleficent (Angelina Jolie). Is Stefan so callous and ruthless that he will gladly betray his love for Maleficent just to become King? To be King, or not to be King? Stefan barely thinks about committing an act of murder. Absolute power corrupts absolutely!

In line with "The Lord of the Rings" in its portrayal of violence. The film is not for the young or feint of heart. Bodies go flying. A dragon sets soldiers ablaze. Maleficent herself has fun with soldiers by having them flying around then she makes them crash into each other.