Maleficent (2014)

Linden finds the film a dazzling, emotionally absorbing reinvention, despite a few bumpy patches. She especially praises Angelina Jolie’s magnetic performance and the film’s richly imagined visual world.

O'Sullivan gives the film an emphatically positive verdict, calling it a project with peculiar, landscape-changing power. She especially praises Angelina Jolie's natural fit for the role and the film's feminist mood, visual effects and costumes.

Crowther finds the film a magical, modern adventure that is visually sumptuous and thought-provoking, though it does not fully reinvent the tale. She especially praises Angelina Jolie’s commanding, emotionally nuanced performance as Maleficent.

Acocella finds the film’s revision of the fairy tale’s romance and gender politics witty and moving. She especially praises Angelina Jolie’s nuanced physical performance, which makes Maleficent both tender and dangerous.

The critic calls the film a thoroughly entertaining fantasy romp. The standfirst praises its overall entertainment value, but the paywalled text does not reveal a specific element singled out for praise.

Sharkey finds the film uneven but ultimately engaging, with Angelina Jolie making a mesmerizing Maleficent. She also praises the striking visual world, while noting that the film’s many ideas blunt its emotional impact.

Kohn finds the film visually dazzling but ultimately predictable and narratively weak. He praises Angelina Jolie’s commanding screen presence, while criticizing the film’s shallow attempt at progressive storytelling.

Lemire finds the film visually sumptuous but emotionally hollow. She singles out Angelina Jolie’s performance and the film’s striking visuals, while faulting its thin emotional depth.

The review considers the reworking enjoyable. It singles out Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Maleficent as a highlight.

Rothkopf gives the film a three-out-of-five-star assessment, suggesting a mixed verdict. He singles out Angelina Jolie’s casting and expressive eyebrow as a strength.

Bradshaw gives a mixed verdict on the revisionist fairytale spin-off. He praises Jolie’s fierce screen presence, while finding her performance panto-like and wanting to see her in a grownup film.

Ebiri finds the revision of Maleficent intriguing but says the film’s storytelling and weak antagonist undercut it. He praises Angelina Jolie’s emotionally urgent performance, while lamenting that the rest of the movie lets her down.

Scott’s verdict is mixed to negative, finding the film more clumsy than compelling. He singles out Angelina Jolie’s performance as its strongest feature.

Osenlund argues that the film weakens its compelling central character by turning her into a sanitized, all-purpose heroine. He praises Angelina Jolie’s captivating presence, while criticizing the visual excess and the story’s failure to explore Maleficent’s transformation.

Barker finds the film visually arresting but narratively unsatisfying, with an incoherent emotional arc. He praises Angelina Jolie’s commanding performance and the consistently exquisite visual craft.

Richards finds the film confused and boring, arguing that it fails to make its reimagining of Maleficent cohere. He praises Angelina Jolie’s casting and expressive looks, but complains she is given a costume rather than a role.

The review finds the film entertaining and bold, despite its aggressively unpleasant visuals. It especially praises Angelina Jolie for making Maleficent a fully fleshed-out character.

The review finds the film uneven, with a weak opening and clumsy storytelling redeemed by a rousing finale. It particularly praises Angelina Jolie’s mesmerising performance, which keeps the film afloat during its worst stretches.

Berkshire finds the film creatively disappointing, with a softened lead character and a story that drags. He praises the extravagant visual design, while faulting the narrative choices and Jolie’s limited performance.

Kaye finds the film incoherent, dull, and lacking a reason to exist. He singles out its striking visual moments, but says they cannot compensate for the weak performances and muddled story.