MALEFICENT

From the website Hero Complex

I recently saw Maleficent. And to be honest, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. It wasn't a bad film, far from it, it was very well made and I did like how they told the "true" story of the "evil fairy". I guess it is just that I've always had a soft spot for Disney's original Sleeping Beauty and their original Maleficent. And while this one is the backstory as to why Maleficent cursed Aurora I just couldn't get into it. Jolie made a lovely Maleficent and I did feel for her when Stephan betrayed her. I guess, for me though, the original Stephan just wasn't like the one portrayed in this film. He wasn't malicious and would even betray his friend in order to become King. In Disney's original version Stephan was to jovial. In this new imagining he's very dark and hell bent on destroying his former "love". And in the end their new imaging of true love's first kiss harkens to Frozen's version. Rather than that between a man and woman it is between a mother and daughter. Because that is what the film implies that

http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/File:Maleficent-(2014)-52.jpg

Maleficent ends up being Aurora's foster mother since the three good fairies are totally inept at looking after the child. I did like how they gave a nod to the original version when Phillip meets Aurora in the forest.  Also, part of my problem with the film, Maleficent knew where the princess was at all times. She became her "fairy godmother" watching over her and even meeting her when Aurora turned 15.  There was no searching for the Princess and no real "sleeping" in this version. She does fall asleep but briefly. And it's Maleficent who breaks her own curse. An interesting twist to the original story and in a way one that I did like. After all it isn't Aurora's fault what happened to her and it gives one perspective as to why Maleficent was "evil".  I would be extremely angry too if I was betrayed by someone I loved. In the end Maleficent, instead of being killed by Prince Phillip, is redeemed. Like I said, it wasn't a bad film and if I weren't so familiar with the original version of Disney's Sleeping Beauty, I would probably like it so much more than I did. Jolie did a WONDERFUL job as Maleficent.  I could almost picture her as the original Maleficent. My only objection in her performance was when she cursed Aurora with: "...In a sleep like death", rather than "She will prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die!" For me the new line just doesn't carry as much weight as a curse like the former one does. I think they should have left the original curse in. But then in this age of political correctness and not offending any one perhaps it is better that they changed it. Oh yes, and one last thing, the good fairies, they changed their name from Flora, Fauna and Merryweather to Knotgrass, Flittle and Thistlewit and I wonder why they didn't just go with the original names? 

http://disney.wikia.com/

http://disney.wikia.com/

Although I do believe the newer version of the three good fairies are even more inept than the original three.  And another objection to the new version: when Maleficent curses Aurora; instead of one of the fairies stating that the curse would be broken by love's first kiss, it is Maleficent who states it. It just didn't seem right that Maleficent told how the curse could be broken, but then I suppose it is understandable since in the new reimagining of the fairy tale she isn't really evil but hurting from the betrayal of her friend. There is a difference. 
On to other news...I've finished The Recruit and am just starting on The Hunter about Ewen

Seton and Janet of Mar (Mary of Mars, from The Recruit, sister).  I just began the book where the reader is being introduced to Seton. Ewen is at a feast watching his drunken father making a fool of himself so not much is happening at this stage of the novel. 

I was able to find a paper doll for todays date in my collection. Another one that is from a photo but feel it came out decent enough to print. It's a Jane Arden from November 14th, 1937.  I am working on a black and white version and a recolored version of this one. What I'd like to do is try to get all the Jane Ardens with the same pose together with all the clothes that go with that particular doll but it's such a huge endeavor and taunting task that I've been shying away from attempting it. 

In keeping with todays topic of Maleficent and Sleeping Beauty, I thought

From imgarcade.com

I'd share one of my Sleeping Beauty paper doll sets.  I will probably not be able to post the entire set today so will continue posting tomorrow.  I haven't decided whether or not to sell my vintage Sleeping Beauty sets. As it is one of my FAVORITE Disney films I'm reluctant to part with any of the sets. This set was printed in 1959 and is one of my favorite sets.  The artwork on this set is simply stunning. Although Phillip doesn't look like the Phillip from the film I think he's one very handsome doll. :)  And Aurora really doesn't look like the Aurora that eventually appeared on celluloid so I suspect this set was created BEFORE the film was released. 

There are quite a few outfits in this set so I will continue with posting them over the next few days. For some reason when I originally scanned these I have the size of the clothes all off so I have to resize them so they'll fit the dolls.  I had thought about rescanning them but I wanted to post this today as I had the Jane Arden paper doll all ready to upload. I will post the beautiful tri-folder at the very end. 

'Til next time................................................ALOHA!!