If you’re an Angelina Jolie and Disney fangirl like me and half the world, seeing Maleficent at Savoy 3D (Wellawatte) is a must.
Badassery
Jolie in this movie plays the ‘villain’ in the old fairytale, Sleeping Beauty. When all the other fairies give the King’s new-born baby gifts of beauty and grace and lame stuff like that, Jolie walks in and is like, screw that mainstream shizzle, I’ma give your baby a curse, yo.
BAM. It gets serious.
But why, Angelina Jolie? Why do you hate the baby? What did the King ever do to you?
Turns out Mr King and Jolie have some history together – and Mr King is a PLAYAH. So Jolie comes back all like, snappy fingers and ‘you must not know about me, son’, and gets back at him on his daughter’s christening.
Jolie, with her track record of being in badass roles like in Tomb Raider and Mr & Mrs Smith, and with her assortment of international children (adopt me too pls), her humanitarian efforts, her killer looks, and her general awesomeness – is a lot to take in already. Now imagine all that – PLUS a pair of huge badass eagle wings. Because, yes, Jolie as Maleficent has huge wings that she uses to fly into the sun and strike a dramatic pose. It’s fabulous.
Cinematography
I’m sick of everybody using the computer-graphics/3D card to pimp out their otherwise-crap movies. In an era of perpetual sequels and comic book remakes, Maleficent is so fresh. Directed by Robert Stromberg (who also worked on Cameron’s Avatar, Burton’s Alice in Wonderland & Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful), it’s not only got an original and interesting plot – but beautifully manufactured scenes to compliment it. The war scenes and the scenes within the magical fairy kingdom of the Moors are particularly memorable.
Savoy
Savoy 3D is, in my opinion, far superior to the cinemas at Majestic City. There’s better leg-room, better seating, better sound, and the room is larger in size so the 3D feels more effective. The tickets aren’t as pricey either. Show times are 10.30AM and 1.30PM only: best thing to do is book your tickets online. And don’t eat the popcorn at the cinema canteen – it sucks no matter where you go in Colombo – you can get a jumbo packet of Tipi Tip for Rs. 150 and a Milo for Rs. 80.
Conclusion
Maleficent is very entertaining, visually. It’s also creative with the story of Sleeping Beauty and you won’t see the end coming. There’s humour and there’s darkness, and a few lines that pack a punch – fun for both kids and adults.
