A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. She rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal – an act that begins to turn her heart into stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the invading King's successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom – and to Maleficent's true happiness as well.
This live-action adaptation reimagines the classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the villainous Maleficent. Once a kind-hearted young fairy with magnificent wings, Maleficent suffers a brutal betrayal by her childhood love, Stefan, which turns her heart to stone. Driven by revenge, she curses Aurora, Stefan's newborn daughter, to fall into an eternal sleep on her sixteenth birthday. However, as the young princess grows, Maleficent finds herself growing fond of her, leading to a dramatic conflict between her desire for vengeance and her burgeoning maternal feelings.
Maleficent received mixed reviews from critics, who were divided on its visual spectacle and Angelina Jolie's performance versus its narrative and pacing. Audiences, however, were generally more receptive, particularly enjoying the visual design and the fresh take on a familiar villain.
Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's visual splendor and Angelina Jolie's captivating portrayal of Maleficent. Many enjoyed the modernized retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story and found the fantasy elements engaging. Some viewers, however, felt the plot was somewhat predictable or that the character development could have been stronger.
Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design. Also received nominations at the Saturn Awards and People's Choice Awards.
Angelina Jolie's children, including Vivienne Jolie-Pitt (who played young Aurora), appear in the film.
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