Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)

6/10

Starring

Angelina Jolie

Elle Fanning

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Sam Riley

Ed Skrein

Michelle Pfeiffer

Directed by Joachim Rønning

Well, Disney made a second part to Maleficent (2014), something I didn’t believe would happen. But I underestimated the power of financial success. For me, Maleficent marked the beginning of Disney’s live-action remakes of their Renaissance animations, and it was a welcome change. This second part is filled with powerful visual effects—almost too much, honestly. There are also strong performances, with Angelina Jolie towering over everyone with her acting. Expect great performances from Elle Fanning and Chiwetel Ejiofor as well.

That said, the movie’s plot feels compressed and just not as strong as the first Maleficent (2014). I remember thinking the first Maleficent was average—good and fun, but still average. Now, after seeing this movie, I feel I might have been a little too harsh on the first one.

The plot of Mistress of Evil follows Aurora (Elle Fanning), who’s all grown up and set to marry Prince Phillip (played by a different actor than in the first Maleficent). Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) is against this union because she doesn’t trust humans. But Aurora’s love for Phillip weakens her resolve, and she reluctantly goes along with it.

Phillip’s mother, Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer), as we learn, has a dark past. Even though her son wants to marry Aurora, we discover that the queen has been orchestrating this union for a while. By the end of the movie, we find out she’s been working behind the scenes on her evil plot since Aurora’s curse in the first Maleficent.

Things seem to be falling into place for the queen when she asks Aurora to bring her godmother, Maleficent, to the castle where Phillip lives. The meeting of the parents doesn’t go well—Phillip’s father ends up cursed, which causes Queen Ingrith to declare war on the magical creatures. As Maleficent leaves the castle in anger, the queen orders her to be shot down. Maleficent is struck by iron and nearly dies, but she’s saved by another Dark Fey. When she wakes up from her wounds, she discovers she’s not alone—there are many like her, Dark Feys living in isolation because of humans.

There’s a division among the Feys: some want to go to war against the humans to reclaim their lost lands, while others hope for peace. Everything hinges on Maleficent, as she has the power to win the war for the Feys or bring peace, given that she’s changed and even loves a human (Aurora).

If you take the time to see this movie with your family, you’re guaranteed a good time—just don’t expect it to be as good as the first Maleficent (2014).