Jeri Jacquin
Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital from
director Joachim Ronning and Walt Disney Pictures to continue the story of
MALEFICENT: Mistress of Evil.
Aurora (Elle Fanning) is now Queen of the
Moor, doing her daily duties and, on this day, being proposed to by Prince
Phillip (Harris Dickinson). She and Phillip are thrilled until they both
realize that they must tell their respective parents. Phillip rides off to talk
with his mother Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer) and father King John (Robert
Lindsey).
Diaval (Sam Riley) overhears the proposal
and flies off to forewarn Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) who doesn't take the news
very well. Letting Aurora know how she feels, it is the young woman that pleads
with the woman who has been her mother to go to the castle and meet Phillips
parents. Wanting her happiness, Maleficent begrudgingly agrees.
The town is on high alert when Aurora,
Maleficent and Diaval arrive at the castle gate. Being introduced to the King
and Queen, they all sit down to dinner. Almost immediately there is a bit of
shade being thrown by the Queen towards Maleficent bringing up the past. Aurora
senses it and tries her best to keep the fae calm. Eventually a line is crossed
and Maleficent stretches her wings. When the King falls to the ground, the
Queen screams out that a curse has been placed on him.
Not willing to wait around for the guards,
Maleficent commands Aurora to join her but when that doesn't happen, she
swiftly flies away. Waiting on the roof is Gerda (Jenn Murray) who sends a
buckshot into Maleficent. Falling into the sea she begins to sink and
unexpectedly rescued by fae Conall (Chitwetel Ejiofor) who takes her to a place
where other fae are in hiding. He tells her things she never knew and meets
another hot headed fae Borra (Ed Skrein).
The Queen prepares for war with secrets
beneath the castle and Maleficent realizes that her Moor is under attack.
Trying to save what she can, it is Conall that is now wounded. Not wanting to
wait any longer, the Queen decides it's time for a wedding, but Aurora feels as
if she is being forced to change.
As the castle prepares, a secret is
unleashed on the fae in a battle that can only be won by the total destruction
of one side or the other. It is time for secrets to end and an understanding
between human and fae to come forward before everything each side holds dear is
destroyed.
Jolie as Maleficent returns to a role she
has made truly her own. In this film she has a difficult time seeing her
'beastie' grow into a woman. Wanting her to stay in the Moor is everything and
Prince Phillip is what stands in the way. In this film the character discovers
more about her own roots than she ever knew before but still must make
decisions that are painful. Jolie is entertaining, tries to be as good as she
can but when push comes to Queen-shoving, Maleficent will do whatever it takes
to save those she loves.
Fanning as Aurora has grown into a young
woman who is ready, after five years, to finally wed the man she loves. Torn
between the family she is going to marry into and the family she already has,
the struggle is before her when Maleficent loses her temper. Being a smart
young woman, Aurora knows that something isn't quite right and goes about
finding the truth that is going to hurt those she loves. Fanning has given
Aurora a very strong sense of herself and, like Maleficent, gives her character
some bite when necessary.
Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith is just about as
wicked as they come who doesn't really have a reason other than she's been
unhappy for far too long. There is a crazy here that makes Maleficent look like
a saint because the Queen is being devious, manipulative and hurts those that
don't deserve it in a very short period of time. Pfeiffer gives it everything
she's got with every evil look she can muster but she looks fabulous in the tiaras!
Dickinson as Prince Phillip is a young man
in love with a girl who runs barefoot on the Moor. He wants to bring both
kingdoms together to live in peace but can't seem to get anyone to agree on how
to make that happen. With Aurora he knows they can work together but what he
doesn't know is that forces are against him. Riley as Diaval wants Aurora to be
happy but also wants Maleficent to keep her cool and he is the one caught in
between the ladies.
Ejiofor as Conall is a fae who is a lot
like Prince Phillip in that all he wants for his people is peace and the
ability to not have to hide away in a cave. He doesn't want his people to fear
humans and hopes Maleficent can be the conduit for that to happen. Skrein as
Borra is a bit like Maleficent in that he is full of rage towards humans and
can only see attacking them as an answer to what separates them.
Other cast include Juno Temple as
Thistlewit, Imelda Staunton as Knotgrass, Warwick Davis as Lickspittle, Lesley
Manville as Flittle, Miyavi as Udo, Judith Shekoni as Shrike and Alex Martin as
Tundra.
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality
programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated
features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is
what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to
add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At
Home titles!
The Bluray includes the Bonus Extras of Extended
Scenes, Behind the Scenes Look at the magic of MALEFICIENT: Mistress of Evil,
outtakes, aurora’s Wedding and more!
MALEFICENT: Mistress of Evil is a bit of a
stretch in the title. The story of Aurora and Phillip takes another step with
Maleficent dragging her feet all the way. Funny thing is, she had every right
to do it considering the underhandedness and shade thrown by Phillip's mother
the Queen. Jab after jab I'm surprised that it took so long for the green mist
and red eyes to appear! Immediately I was on Maleficent's side and cheered her
on the entire film.
That being said, this is totally a Disney
movie from start to finish. It has love, family, doing what's right no matter
what the cost and it is all in a beautiful castle setting. Of course, the kid
in me (and it's still there where Disney is concerned) loves the idea of the
Moors filled with creatures of all kinds bringing the silly, cute and loyal to
the surroundings.
Everyone in the theatres loved the film so
you can imagine how this will easily become part of anyone’s Disney home
library. That's important because even though there are parts that are intense,
it is still about family, friendship, knowing who you are and being ready to
defend those that might be defenseless. As I said, all Disney qualities!
In the end - go beyond the fairy tale!
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