Uploaded March 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Warning: Maleficent spoilers below!
(Skim to the bottom if you're just looking for song/artist info!)
While I was in bed (actually, 'on couch' would be more accurate, since my room is under renovation) I ended up calling to mind 2014's Maleficent (which I watched one of the last times I had a cold). And, once again, I found myself absolutely irate. Why? Several reasons.
[Disclaimer: These are my thoughts and my arguments. Obviously, you are welcome to your own.]
3) BACK STORY.
Giving the self-proclaimed 'Mistress of all Evil' a sentimental back story is a stretch to begin with, but portraying her as a doe-eyed youth with no conniving inclinations, or wicked tendencies, or any kind of mean streak whatsoever goes beyond stretching it. My disbelief does not suspend that far. Even though the loss of her wings is traumatic, as is Stefan's betrayal, I would be more inclined to believe in her complete change of character (meaning, the vengeance she takes out on the entire world and not just Stefan) if she hadn't been quite so 'innocent' and 'perfect' at the beginning. Even seeing her pull a few mean-spirited pranks, or showing a degree of selfishness would have been enough. The writers tried, essentially, to turn her into a Disney princess and I feel that this was a mistake.
2) IGNORING THE FACTS.
This film was marketed as 'the real story behind the story', yet instead of operating behind the scenes it straight-up changes the original movie's plot and characters to suit Maleficent's revamped character. It can't be the "real story behind the story" if it's changing the facts. If it hadn't been marketed this way, I wouldn't have gone into the movie with the same expectations.
- Let's start with the most obvious. In the animated film Maleficent is actively searching for Aurora for sixteen years. The film makes a point of pointing out that she has no idea where the princess is, and—judging from her enraged reaction when she finds out her minions were still searching for a baby—if she had found Aurora she would have most definitely killed her. However, even though this inaccuracy discredits Maleficent (2014) right from the get-go, I'm willing to let it slide—because when compared to every other inaccuracy and outrageous embellishment, this barely makes a mark.
- Next. Maleficent does not turn into a dragon. Like, WTF, that was the best thing about her! I don't have a problem with her crow's human shape-shifting shenanigans (since there are plenty of instances where that could have happened behind the scenes in the original) but self-sacrificing dragon—no. Be gone!
- The fairies, though bumbling and nonsensical in the original, became completely mindless little Navis tittering around aimlessly. Maleficent is given all of the maternal credit. Don't think so.
- Philip does not do ANYTHING. He is entirely stripped of his heroics and humour; the only two things he had going for him-- good looks notwithstanding. Sorry, Disney but if Prince Philly is anything, it's brave.
1) KING STEFAN.
Without a doubt, the number one reason why I cannot and will not (voluntarily) watch Maleficent a second time around. Not only does this film dethrone King Stefan from his humour (SKUMPS!) and paternal nature, it turns him into—arguably—the evilest Disney villain of all time (yes, even eviler than the Mistress of All Evil herself) by making him greedy, power-hungry, manipulative and—wait for it—a rapist. Yes, a rapist. Disney writers have confirmed that Maleficent's loss of wings = rape.
Obviously, since I made this tribute in memory of Disney's original King Stefan, I have a problem with this. And not just because I've loved King Stefan (and Hubert! And the drunk servant!) since childhood.
More than anything else, I have a problem with the fact that in order to make an evil woman good Disney chose to make a good man evil. If you have kept up with Disney over the years, you have probably noticed the 'female empowerment' trend (I would argue that all of the princesses are strong in their own ways, that's another argument for another day). I'm all for female empowerment (I am a WOMAN, after all), but I believe in equality, not dominance. Many of the men in this film were brought down (Stefan became the villain, Philip the hero was cast aside, Hubert is entirely absent) to give the female characters prominence. I think it's wrong for women to be raised up by putting men down, and vice versus; this is an incredibly flawed kind of feminism that will not benefit anyone in the long run and it makes me incredibly uncomfortable to see it in media, let alone in a Disney movie.
That is essentially why I made this tribute. To make a point, blow off steam—and recover from a cold. Technically speaking, it's not my best work and there are glitches I can't get rid of, but I've wanted to make this for a while, so I made it. :)
Song: Once Upon a Dream - Cover by AmaLee
Warning: Maleficent spoilers below!
(Skim to the bottom if you're just looking for song/artist info!)
While I was in bed (actually, 'on couch' would be more accurate, since my room is under renovation) I ended up calling to mind 2014's Maleficent (which I watched one of the last times I had a cold). And, once again, I found myself absolutely irate. Why? Several reasons.
[Disclaimer: These are my thoughts and my arguments. Obviously, you are welcome to your own.]
3) BACK STORY.
Giving the self-proclaimed 'Mistress of all Evil' a sentimental back story is a stretch to begin with, but portraying her as a doe-eyed youth with no conniving inclinations, or wicked tendencies, or any kind of mean streak whatsoever goes beyond stretching it. My disbelief does not suspend that far. Even though the loss of her wings is traumatic, as is Stefan's betrayal, I would be more inclined to believe in her complete change of character (meaning, the vengeance she takes out on the entire world and not just Stefan) if she hadn't been quite so 'innocent' and 'perfect' at the beginning. Even seeing her pull a few mean-spirited pranks, or showing a degree of selfishness would have been enough. The writers tried, essentially, to turn her into a Disney princess and I feel that this was a mistake.
2) IGNORING THE FACTS.
This film was marketed as 'the real story behind the story', yet instead of operating behind the scenes it straight-up changes the original movie's plot and characters to suit Maleficent's revamped character. It can't be the "real story behind the story" if it's changing the facts. If it hadn't been marketed this way, I wouldn't have gone into the movie with the same expectations.
- Let's start with the most obvious. In the animated film Maleficent is actively searching for Aurora for sixteen years. The film makes a point of pointing out that she has no idea where the princess is, and—judging from her enraged reaction when she finds out her minions were still searching for a baby—if she had found Aurora she would have most definitely killed her. However, even though this inaccuracy discredits Maleficent (2014) right from the get-go, I'm willing to let it slide—because when compared to every other inaccuracy and outrageous embellishment, this barely makes a mark.
- Next. Maleficent does not turn into a dragon. Like, WTF, that was the best thing about her! I don't have a problem with her crow's human shape-shifting shenanigans (since there are plenty of instances where that could have happened behind the scenes in the original) but self-sacrificing dragon—no. Be gone!
- The fairies, though bumbling and nonsensical in the original, became completely mindless little Navis tittering around aimlessly. Maleficent is given all of the maternal credit. Don't think so.
- Philip does not do ANYTHING. He is entirely stripped of his heroics and humour; the only two things he had going for him-- good looks notwithstanding. Sorry, Disney but if Prince Philly is anything, it's brave.
1) KING STEFAN.
Without a doubt, the number one reason why I cannot and will not (voluntarily) watch Maleficent a second time around. Not only does this film dethrone King Stefan from his humour (SKUMPS!) and paternal nature, it turns him into—arguably—the evilest Disney villain of all time (yes, even eviler than the Mistress of All Evil herself) by making him greedy, power-hungry, manipulative and—wait for it—a rapist. Yes, a rapist. Disney writers have confirmed that Maleficent's loss of wings = rape.
Obviously, since I made this tribute in memory of Disney's original King Stefan, I have a problem with this. And not just because I've loved King Stefan (and Hubert! And the drunk servant!) since childhood.
More than anything else, I have a problem with the fact that in order to make an evil woman good Disney chose to make a good man evil. If you have kept up with Disney over the years, you have probably noticed the 'female empowerment' trend (I would argue that all of the princesses are strong in their own ways, that's another argument for another day). I'm all for female empowerment (I am a WOMAN, after all), but I believe in equality, not dominance. Many of the men in this film were brought down (Stefan became the villain, Philip the hero was cast aside, Hubert is entirely absent) to give the female characters prominence. I think it's wrong for women to be raised up by putting men down, and vice versus; this is an incredibly flawed kind of feminism that will not benefit anyone in the long run and it makes me incredibly uncomfortable to see it in media, let alone in a Disney movie.
That is essentially why I made this tribute. To make a point, blow off steam—and recover from a cold. Technically speaking, it's not my best work and there are glitches I can't get rid of, but I've wanted to make this for a while, so I made it. :)
Song: Once Upon a Dream - Cover by AmaLee
