The Timeless Tale Goes Dark and Awesome, Maleficent is in Theaters Now!

Maleficent is in theaters everywhere starting today. If you are wondering if you should go see it, I've got you covered – a resounding YES. From start to finish I was completely invested in the characters and the outcome. Would it be like Sleeping Beauty? What happened to her, she seems so sweet and angelic? Oh no, why would someone do that? I laughed, awed, gasped, teared up, and even felt angered. Maleficent had it all. Action, betrayal, vengeance, good vs evil, and lessons learned.

To say I had high hopes for this film is almost an understatement. After all, Maleficent is my favorite villain and such an iconic character I knew this movie would have to be ridiculously good for Disney to bring it to life.

When the movie was first announced I thought, Angelina looks the part, but can she really bring Maleficent to the screen in all her evil grandeur?

I admit I am sucker for a good backstory. It is important to me to know why someone is the way they are. That being said, learning the truth behind Maleficent was exciting. She wasn't always so evil. The kind hearted, loving Maleficent we meet in the beginning is a far cry from the demon summoning villain we know her to be. Then something happens to change her gentle spirit into one hell bent on destroying those who hurt her.

Hint it might have something to do with this guy

As you witness her suffering, you can't help but feel bad for her, and if you're honest you kinda do want her to rip them a new one and make sure they never hurt anyone again. Or is that just me?

The visual effects, graphics, story, are all amazing. I saw this in 3D and really felt like I was in the midst of the Christening and I better be careful not to get in her way!

Evil is complicated though. If you go into this movie thinking- it's a live action version of the classic animated Sleeping Beauty – you would be wrong. It does parallel that story, as it should, but the focus is on Maleficent and the complicated soul that embodies her. Angelina Jolie was commanding in her role. From the evil laugh to the looks and mannerisms, she really nailed it. The rest of the cast, including Elle Fanning as Aurora and Sam Riley as Diaval, captured the audiences attentions and commanded respect in their own rights.

I think this movie will be end up a classic all on it's own. Stepping out of the shadow of the original movie and making a lasting mark on the hearts of Sleeping Beauty fans everywhere.

One of my favorite scenes was definitely the dragon. Why? The special effects were crazy and I love dragons. It's a giant dragon taking out an entire royal guard. Need I say more?

Official storyline:

“Maleficent” explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic “Sleeping Beauty” and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. 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 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.

The beautiful forest kingdom, full of wonder and mystical creatures. I would rather live there than the human kingdom too!