Like many young girls, I grew up among Disney’s classic fairy tales. The lines defining good and evil, heroes and villains were clear. And yet, as I matured, I, like many Disney fans, wondered how these villains became so evil. Maleficent, which was released in 2014, told the story of Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the villainous fairy. The sequel, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, is now playing in theaters in IMAX, ScreenX, and 4DX. Be sure to download our free Maleficent printables at the end of our review.
Consideration provided by Disney.
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
The sequel takes place five years after the death of King Stefan and we find that Aurora is now the reigning Queen of the Moors. The relationship between Maleficent and Aurora has managed to withstand the heartbreak and revenge depicted in the first film. When Prince Phillip proposes to Aurora, the relationship between her and her (dark) fairy godmother is strained.
The marriage of Aurora and Prince Phillip is to serve two purposes, including the union of the fairies and humans. But silent opposition exists, and a new villain emerges, threatening all of the existing fairies.
Admittedly, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is darker than its predecessor. And yet, the cinematography and costume/makeup design is absolutely stunning. I also appreciated the plot twists where villains and heroes are not always as definitive as you might expect.
The bond between Maleficent and Aurora is tested and strengthened in the film, and perhaps the most affective part of the story. And like any good backstory, we delve further into Maleficent’s origins, gleaning a deeper understanding of her character.
Maleficent in 4DX and ScreenX
4DX is our new favorite way to see a film, and I was really excited to see the sequel to Maleficent in this format. This immersive, multi-sensory experience includes wind, scent, and motion, to bring the film to life.
In Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, you will soar with the iconic dark fairy across the kingdom of Ulstead and the Moors. Scent and water ehance the landscape, while fog, motion, and vibration intensify the battle sequences.
Upcoming 4DX Films
CJ 4DPLEX and Walt Disney Studios will release several new films this Fall and Winter including Frozen 2 on November 22 and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker on December 20, 2019. You can also see Ford v Ferrari on November 15th.
Having seen the previews for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, I knew the cinematography was going to be stunning, so we opted to see the film in ScreenX.
ScreenX
ScreenX by CJ 4DPLEX, features a 270-degree, panoramic format. The experience means that you will see the film expanded beyond the frame of the traditional movie screen onto the side walls. The result is a fully immersive experience where the imagery surrounds you, evoking the sensation that you are inside the movie. ScreenX theaters feature screens on the left and right side walls of the auditorium, and while the entire movie is not projected on all 3 screens, key moments from the film are. The enchanted dark forest of Maleficent and the fairytale kingdom of Ulstead really lend themselves well to ScreenX, allowing a fully immersive view of this fantastical world. You can learn more about 4DX and ScreenX by visiting CJ4DX.com.
Maleficent Printables, Coloring Pages, and Activity Sheets
Download our free Maleficent printables!
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