Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil 4K UHD Review
“Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil” improves upon the first.
Aurora and Prince Philip are set to wed, but their happiness is interrupted after Maleficent is framed by Philip’s mother (the Queen) for putting a curse on Philip’s father (the King). Now, a war is brewing between the humans of Ulstead and the magical inhabitants of the Moors. While all of this is going on, Maleficent discovers that there are others like her which could change her whole world.
Truth be told, I wasn’t fond of the first “Maleficent” as it watered down the villainess and deviated from the “Sleeping Beauty” story so drastically. With the sequel, the story is set 5 years after the events of the first film and refreshingly covers new territory. Problems from the first film still remain (Maleficent is still not a villain here!) and the spindle is once again used as a plot device (talk about lazy), but the Joachim Ronning directed sequel is at least more of a cinematic visual spectacle that does more world building. Granted, some of the further exploration of this universe involves dopey humor and whimsical creatures (see Pinto), but there’s plenty to absorb here from the extravagant sets, the wide variety of costumes, the production values, Dark Fey designs and the CGI landscapes and characters.
The top notch cast keeps the film afloat and keeps it as grounded as can be. The sequel is jam packed with talent including returning cast members such as Angelina Jolie in the titular role, the ever underrated Elle Fanning and new faces such as Chewitel Ejiofor as a Dark Fey, the scene stealing Michelle Pfeiffer as the not so pure Queen, and Warwick Davis whom I am always happy to see.
Note: The 4K includes a Blu-ray copy and a Digital copy and the Blu-ray edition includes a DVD copy and a Digital copy.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p. How does it look? Say what you will about the film itself, but the 4K transfer gives the film more scope and richer colors.
Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? The track delivers. When does an Atmos track not deliver a full dynamic audio experience?
Extras (all on the Blu-ray disc):
* Disney trailers
* 2 extended scenes
* A music video for Bebe Rexha’s “You Can’t Stop The Girl.”
* 2 minutes of outtakes.
* “Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil VFX Reel”- A comparison of scenes being shot and the final product with some commentary over them.
* “If You Had Wings”- A featurette on Maleficent’s characteristics and her and the other Fey’s flying.
* “Aurora’s Wedding”- A featurette on the big wedding sequence.
* “Origins Of The Fey”- The title says it all
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