Maleficent

Name: Maleficent
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: May 30, 2014
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 56
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Brenton Thwaites, Elle Fanning, Imelda Staunton, India Eisley

2014

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 44 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 744 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 744 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: May 30, 2014 | PG

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Brenton Thwaites, Elle Fanning, Imelda Staunton, India Eisley, Juno Temple, Kenneth Cranham, Lesley Manville, Miranda Richardson, Peter Capaldi, Sam Riley, Sharlto Copley

Summary: Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds herDriven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.… Expand

Director: Robert Stromberg

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, Romance, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 97 min

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Critic Reviews

Lawrence Toppman

May 29, 2014

Yet nothing in their visually stimulating film registers as strongly as Jolie’s enigmatic, ever-changing face. Read full review

Kate Taylor

May 29, 2014

In truth, you just can’t wait until the wicked Jolie returns to the screen. Whether a malevolent twinkle illuminates her beady eye or a heartbreaking tear rolls down her alabaster cheek, she is the film’s power. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

May 31, 2014

Whatever its flaws, Maleficent is a family-friendly Disney adventure that offers a relaunched and thoroughly delightful Angelina Jolie. Read full review

Joe Walsh

May 28, 2014

Despite its pitfalls, Maleficent entertains because of Jolie, who holds the wavering threads of Stromberg's spinning wheel together with aplomb. Read full review

Drew McWeeny

May 29, 2014

While I can see how there is a version of this film that might be able to successfully grapple with its central metaphor, I'm not sure Stromberg is the guy to make that movie. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

May 29, 2014

Jolie's performance so overshadows the rest of the cast (and the rest of the movie) that you sometimes feel as if the other characters are, like us, just standing around watching her. This is not, however, the fault of the other actors. It's the fault of screenwriter Linda Woolverton, who doesn't give them much to do that's challenging or interesting. Read full review

Richard Corliss

May 30, 2014

Except for Angelina Jolie, exemplary as the fairy badmother who laid a narcotic curse on an infant princess, this pricey live-action drama is a dismaying botch. Read full review

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User Reviews

LilyMarino

Nov 6, 2014

I absolutely love Maleficent. I just watched it and it is amazing. I would totally want to watch it again. Coodoos to the directors and the actors. Awesome job!!!!!!!!!!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

unicorn67

Jul 19, 2014

LOVE IT! I would definitely see it again. Interesting twist to the original story . Great special effects. Entertaining movie. Angelina Joile is wonderful in this movie.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

samnguyen

May 31, 2014

LOVE IT! I would definitely see it again. To the Top Critics: This is not American Hustle or The Wolf of Wall Street folks..THIS IS DISNEY. Treat it like a Disney movie. --- I thought they did a wonderful job recreating Maleficent! My whole family loved it.

20 of 42 users found this helpful2022

MJKPSTAN

Jun 3, 2014

Maleficent is the untold story of disney's most iconic villain, but does it do the icon justice? In my opinion, YES, it does. Is it a perfect movie, no it isn't the fairies look stupid, the story is a little in cohesive but thanks to Angelina Jolie's magnificent performance, as strongMaleficent is the untold story of disney's most iconic villain, but does it do the icon justice? In my opinion, YES, it does. Is it a perfect movie, no it isn't the fairies look stupid, the story is a little in cohesive but thanks to Angelina Jolie's magnificent performance, as strong supporting cast, beautiful cinematography and a pretty good screenplay, Maleficent just passes into a fresh score. 710.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

inaneswine

Nov 14, 2017

All the cast put in fine performances, particularly Jolie. I also praise Disney for introducing a grey area to all the black-and-white fairytales we already know (though this is not original or innovative). It certainly looks beautiful enough, with the 3D - like with most features - beingAll the cast put in fine performances, particularly Jolie. I also praise Disney for introducing a grey area to all the black-and-white fairytales we already know (though this is not original or innovative). It certainly looks beautiful enough, with the 3D - like with most features - being most effective on the quiet, less spectacular scenes (such as the walk through the forest) as opposed to the grandiose battle scenes. Nonetheless, with all that going for it, it still feels like little more than another telling of the same story, as opposed to a retelling.

Dem cheekbones though.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

raviopatra

Jun 4, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have to agree with most critics for this movie. Angelina Jolie is fantastic as ever, but as my friend said as soon as the movie ended, "I would re-cast pretty much everyone but Jolie, Riley, Manville, Temple, and Staunton. Everyone else needs to go." And that's exactly how I feel as well.

The movie starts with a very good scene in which young Maleficent is depicted as a kind-hearted, powerful young fairy, protector of Moors. Young Stefan actually works for me, but not with the grown-up Stefan. The cast just doesn't work. As soon as Jolie starts wearing the costume, I feel like I'm watching Halle Berry in that horrible Cat Woman spandex costume all over again. It just didn't work. Her natural-looking appearance was perfect. I don't understand why she had to change her appearance after her wings are cut off (only to reattach again).

Elle Fanning is lovely, but she's not doing her best in this movie. I'm excited to see Oculus tomorrow which Brenton Thwaites is starring in, but his Prince Phillip character is way too irrelevant and unnecessary.

The scenes are also very predictable. I totally saw the "Maleficent is the true love" twist right after somewhere aroud the first time she connects with Aurora. It's Frozen all over again. To sum up, I think the movie would only please children and those who simply watch the movie for eye-pleasing visual. Even the climax did not get me excited.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

Jp117

Dec 11, 2019

Terrible.....................................................................

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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29	#29 Most Discussed Movie of 2014
46	#46 Most Shared Movie of 2014