kathrynshelton Jolie is sublime in the role and the great set design and atmosphere add to the charms of this delightful film by Robert Straumberg. Go watch it in the theaters the way it is meant to be seen. (A great gothic tale)

Sweetigal85 I really think that this is Angelina Jolie's BEST role. I feel that this movie obliterated the original book and Disney animated version of the story. I am a huge fan of backstory and it was simply amazing to discover how Maleficent became the "villain" of Sleeping Beauty."Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." It is impossible to not relate to Maleficent after what Stefan does to her. Who wouldn't want revenge? This movie is amazing because in the original we have no idea why she crashes the christening and curses the child, she just seems pure evil for no reason. Where is the fun or poetry in that?Her chemistry with Aurora was beautiful, I have never seen such an enchanting relationship between two non-related people. She clearly comes to view Aurora as the daughter she never had and who she would have had with Stefan had he not betrayed her. It was so poetic how when she tried to undo the curse while Aurora was sleeping that it wouldn't work because her hatred of Stefan and his family was deeper at the time of the curse than her present love for Aurora is. I was hoping it would be her true love's kiss that broke the spell, that was a stunning twist.It is also beautiful that Stefan is the one who robbed Maleficent of her wings and Aurora, his daughter who she cursed out of spite, is the one who returns her wings and thus her life to her. I loved the crow that she turned into a man and ultimately befriended, that was a magnificent addition. It was so cute how much he cared for Aurora and how loyal he was to his mistress. I like to believe that they ended up together in the end when they are seen soaring through the sky together.Stefan's death is very poetic because he is falling from grace and he tried so hard and sacrificed his former life and love to get atop his glowing pedestal as King. The only thing that struck me as kind of odd was that there were no other fairies who seemed to resemble Maleficent. The rest of them were all lesser creatures and not humanoids. Maybe the rest of them had fled and chose to stay in the shadows of the fairy world when Maleficent took over. And I guess Angelina would have been a scene stealer anyway so they didn't feel like more fairies like her would be necessary.Hands down one of my favorite movies EVER and definitely the best depiction of a Disney "villain"

robert3750 It's unfortunate that Disney has mutated into an advocate for a particular brand of modern feminism. In the name of that advocacy, they decide that they have no use for conventional morality. "Maleficent isn't really evil, she's actually a shining example of feminine empowerment, and she only did bad things because of the evil actions of MEN". Revolting.

Ayla_Pendragon Must see. Was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I loved Elle Fanning in the role of Aurora. I could feel her joy and love for life from the big screen. I didn't feel the same way regarding her friendship with Maleficent. But the acting of Angelina showed the devotion of her character in the last act.