"Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" Movie Review

Have you ever heard the expression, "If you truly love someone, then you'll let them go"? It's not an easy feat, but that expression still is true in many ways. That's the theme of sorts for the sequel to the brilliant Maleficent film, ushering in a few adult questions and situations that may go over a child's head but is perfect for parents or even for teens. The film's themes are the perfect way to get families talking and debating with one another.

The film follows Aurora five years after awakening from the Sleeping Beauty Curse. She's been taking her role as Queen of the Moors very seriously, trying to keep everything perfect and running smoothly. When Prince Phillip asks Aurora to marry him, she immediately says yes, but Maleficent has a few words of her own to speak. She's still wary and hurt by her history with mankind and doesn't want Aurora to be forced to endure what she had to all those years ago. But Aurora has made her decision, and so has Maleficent, and those decisions could mean war between humans and faeries.

The thing that makes this film work is the amount of emotion put into the storytelling. There's so many different arcs that intertwine with one another in order to bring about an epic story. Kudos to the writers for keeping logic and magic both very much alive. I loved the struggle presented in the film between humankind and faeries. It's a perfect representation of "normal" humans being uncomfortable and even hateful toward others who are different or considered strange by society.

The acting was certainly a step up from the first film. Elle Fanning was a big reason why one of the scenes toward the end was so emotional. She put everything she had into that moment and it paid off big time. Angelina Jolie and Michelle Pfeiffer were brilliant in their scenes together. They played off one another perfectly, adding to the build-up of the story. Their chemistry certainly was not wasted and was a driving force of the story.

In conclusion, the best way to describe this film is magical. The writing, the story, the acting, the directing, the visuals...everything was stunning and well-executed from start to finish. I give Maleficent: Mistress of Evil a 4 out of 4.