By Simone Cathryn
Rated: PG
Recommended for children 12+
Some intense scenes of war along with depictions of death and attempted genocide. These scenes and content might be too heavy and intense to watch for young kids. Great to start conversation with your teenagers on topics like about war, hate, fear and acceptance.
This sequel picks up 5 years after the first film finished, which was released 5 years ago, with Aurora and Prince Phillip getting engaged after spending the last 5 years getting to know each other. While the pixies, faeries and other creatures along with King John are excited for the couple their respective mothers are not quite so happy about the union.
While the first Maleficent was on the darker side for a Disney Princess film , this sequel goes even darker making it too intense and scary for young kids. Perfect for teenagers wanting a slightly more complex story and themes that make you think a little more. Disney's Maleficent: Mistress of Evil explores some rather timely views about the path to war and the sometimes selfless courageous actions needed to find peace instead.
Disney's Maleficent: The Mistress of Evil delves into what happens when we fear what we don't know or understand and hate what we fear!
The whole cast does a good job with Angelina Jolie as Maleficent leading the way with a brilliant performance. Harris Dickinson was also wonderful as Prince Phillip, conveying a lot in his nonverbal reactions that heightened the test of character Price Phillip was facing. With a cast this good it is hard to find a true standout performance as they all delivered.
As a lifelong fantasy film fan I thoroughly enjoyed the way the world was crafted somewhat realistic most of the time yet it also had moments where the fantasy characters were not quite real enough to feel human. You can see inspiration from films like Lord of the Rings, The Never-ending Story, Fantastic Beasts and Lion Witch & the Wardrobe in Disney's Maleficent. This elevated the Disney magical feel to a film that stayed mostly faithful to the fantasy genre.
The only time Disney's Maleficent: Mistress of Evil loses its way for me was when some story lines were wrapped up a little too quickly. Going from quite dark, intense and complex to the Disney happily ever after moments not quite allowing the viewer a chance to sort through the intensity from the scenes just gone.
Ultimately while there were plot holes and parts that didn't ring completely true Disney's Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is a fairly well made fantasy Princess film. One that challenges us to think deeper about our actions and interactions with all those around us.