The on-screen appearance of Maleficent

Jennipher Schafer/Staff Writer

A long time in coming, the much anticipated Disney film was released May 30, 2014. Maleficent is a highly celebrated Disney villain for a number of reasons. Marking her film debut in 1959 as the uninvited fairy who bestows the curse of death on the newborn Princess Aurora, as an act of vengeance against the king and queen; her evil has captivated audiences for generations.

When the first conceptual images of actress Angelina Jolie began circulating online as early as 2009, some believed it was a fan-made image. Later, in 2012, it was confirmed that original director Tim Burton had left the project but that Disney would move forward with the film despite the setback. Maleficent fans everywhere rejoiced.

Maleficent holds a unique place among Disney villains. Few have actually frightened large numbers of children quite as she has. Her icy toned voice, affinity for demons, ability to transform into a fire-breathing dragon at will, and constant melancholy, make her actions of intense hatred and revenge all the more terrifying.

The Disney villainess has made appearances since Sleeping Beauty in other Disney projects including Mickey’s Magical Christmas, Snowed In At the House of Mouse, Mickey’s House of Villains, Timon and Pumbaa, House of Mouse, Once Upon a Time, Sofia the First (she is only mentioned in this children’s show), Once Upon a Time In Wonderland, the Kingdom Hearts video game series, Fantasmic, Sorcerer of the Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Boo-to You Halloween Parade, and more.

Quite memorable is her appearance in the Disney studios stunt show, Fantasmic. In the show, Maleficent once more transforms into her dragon form, lighting the lake up in flames as she and a host of other Disney villains attempt to turn Mickey’s dreams into a nightmare.

Originally conceived as a being of pure evil, Maleficent held sway over demonic minions, had a creepy raven named Diablo, whom she trusted with the task of finding the princess when the minions had failed, and had the self-proclaimed ability to summon “all the powers of Hell.”

She has no problem ordering the death of a baby or trying to kill Prince Phillip as he attempts to rescue Aurora with the spell, “A forest of thorns shall be his tomb!  Borne through the skies on a fog of doom!  Now go with the curse, and serve me well! ‘Round Stefan’s castle, cast my spell!”

Known for her notorious evil spells and deeds, Maleficent is not  painted as good in the recent film, but her essence as pure evil will be brought into question. Instead her background is expanded, including how the fairy lost her wings, why she was not invited to the presenting of the newborn princess, and how she attempts to stop her curse from affecting Aurora when she discovers a secret about the princess and the war which cost her so much.

jennipher.schafer@fiusm.com