I would argue that the 'redeemed villain' trend goes far beyond Disney. It's been a trope with superhero properties for quite awhile too. And while I love Once, I agree that the trope is becoming tiresome in that they've tried to redeem all of their villains or at least make them sympathetic.
I do have kids and I haven't really sorted through my thoughts on this trend of making villains ambiguous and trying to redeem them, since a lot of the properties that this is happening in are aimed more at preteens and higher. So I can't really weigh in there, but I think that as a society, we spend a lot more time focusing on shades of gray and antiheroes. After all, it says something that Breaking Bad, Dexter, and Sons of Anarchy have been hugely popular shows. Kind of a tangent, but it is interesting that our culture is glorifying 'villains' and recasting them as the heroes in a lot of media.
Not all villains should be redeemed, especially, one like Maleficent whose designed was based on the Devil and calls on the powers of Hell. Let that character stay as a villain like she was intended.
I think the morally grey can be fine in some stories, but in fairy tale-esque stories, it works better when there is someone a hero needs to defeat in the end. Granted, "Maleficent" had that in Stefan, but seeing Maleficent as a HERO is something I've never ever ever wanted. It's like saying "You know, Scar really probably is a good lion underneath all of his jealousy. We should make a movie about how her becomes a father figure to Simba." NOBODY IS ASKING FOR THAT MOVIE and yet, they did that junk with Maleficent.
I struggle with what its saying about our culture, too. But, I mostly, hate it.
I was going to wait till I've seen it and come back here, but word among my favorite critics was that the woobie-ness was heavy-handed, the script was weak, and the movie's only redeeming quality was Jolie's performance and the visuals
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If you're going into "Maleficent" hoping to see The Mistress of All Evil, you're going to be disappointed. If fact, if that's what you want to see, I wouldn't recommend seeing it. I wish I hadn't. I had so much second-hand embarrassment the whole time. However, I always think it's better for you to see things for yourself so you can have your own opinion instead of listening to someone else's. So, it's up to you
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When I say no Merryweather, I mean there is no character called "Merryweather" in the movie. There is also no blue fairy that gives Baby!Aurora a gift.
There ARE three fairies who take Aurora in after Maleficent casts the "curse" (though, it's the lamest curse ever to be cast), but they have different names and are total buffoons (you know, instead of heroic, helpful figures in the animated "Sleeping Beauty").
I actually told my aunt and uncle not to spend money on it and wait until it comes on cable, so...honestly, that's what I'd advise. There are probably better options out there that would be a more enjoyable experience on the big screen.
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I do have kids and I haven't really sorted through my thoughts on this trend of making villains ambiguous and trying to redeem them, since a lot of the properties that this is happening in are aimed more at preteens and higher. So I can't really weigh in there, but I think that as a society, we spend a lot more time focusing on shades of gray and antiheroes. After all, it says something that Breaking Bad, Dexter, and Sons of Anarchy have been hugely popular shows. Kind of a tangent, but it is interesting that our culture is glorifying 'villains' and recasting them as the heroes in a lot of media.
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I think the morally grey can be fine in some stories, but in fairy tale-esque stories, it works better when there is someone a hero needs to defeat in the end. Granted, "Maleficent" had that in Stefan, but seeing Maleficent as a HERO is something I've never ever ever wanted. It's like saying "You know, Scar really probably is a good lion underneath all of his jealousy. We should make a movie about how her becomes a father figure to Simba." NOBODY IS ASKING FOR THAT MOVIE and yet, they did that junk with Maleficent.
I struggle with what its saying about our culture, too. But, I mostly, hate it.
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There ARE three fairies who take Aurora in after Maleficent casts the "curse" (though, it's the lamest curse ever to be cast), but they have different names and are total buffoons (you know, instead of heroic, helpful figures in the animated "Sleeping Beauty").
I actually told my aunt and uncle not to spend money on it and wait until it comes on cable, so...honestly, that's what I'd advise. There are probably better options out there that would be a more enjoyable experience on the big screen.
Reply
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