Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)

My Review

“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” is the sequel to “Maleficent” (2014) giving viewers a film with a muddled plot, dark themes, and an obnoxious heroine.. Angelina Jolie reprises the title role as the wicked Maleficent that many in the audience find it difficult to root for.

Maleficent’s feud with Michelle Pfeiffer’s Queen Ingrith also leaves viewers with no clear-cut protagonist to support, thanks to sloppy direction by Joachim Renning (“Kon-Tiki” 2012) and an atrocious screenplay written by Linda Woolverton, Noah Harpster, and Micah Fitzerman-Blue. This just-plain bad movie also reflects upon the star and co-producer Jolie. Get your act together, Angelina!

Kudos at least go to the supporting cast such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Elle Fanning, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Imelda Staunton, Lesley Manville, and Robert Lindsay as King John. Due to a large production budget and massive advertising expense, “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” barely broke even at the box office for producer Angelina Jolie, Walt Disney Pictures, Roth/Kirschenbaum Films, Walt Disney Studios, and The Walt Disney Company. It was filmed at Pinewood Studios in England. This goofy film received one Oscar nod for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.