“Let us tell an old story anew*.” At the very beginning, the film is promising a different story from “Sleeping Beauty.”

    The early scenes show the blossoming* love between two orphans*: a fairy girl named Maleficent and a human boy, Stefan. They grow apart as adults.

    Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent is busy as protector of the magical kingdom of moors, and Stefan is driven by ambition* to become the king of his land.

    To secure* that crown, Stefan does something very cruel* against Maleficent. To get her revenge*, she goes to the christening* of King Stefan’s child, Aurora, and puts her under a spell*, dooming her to begin a long sleep at age 16, after an incident* with a spinning-wheel* needle.

    Aurora is no traditional Disney Princess but a child of nature with a strong sense of justice*. She is also brave, just like the young Maleficent. Thinking that Maleficent is her fairy godmother and not her enemy, she becomes friends with Maleficent, and slowly Maleficent grows protective of her victim* and has mixed feelings for the girl. A prince shows up — on a white horse — but he’s not important in the story.

    Tempering* her anger is the raven* Diaval, Maleficent’s shape-changing sidekick*. Their dialogues are funny. Making the film more interesting are three small pixies*. Asked by the king to care for Aurora before her 16th birthday, they know nothing about how to take care of a child.

    The separate worlds of lovers-turned-enemies Maleficent and Stefan are separated by a wall of thorns*. Maleficent finally goes to Stefan’s castle* for a showdown*.

    The most extraordinary visual effect is Jolie’s changing into the title character. Maleficent has eyes with changing colors and cheekbones* like knives.

    The battle scenes are not very impressive. The 3-D effects, although unnecessary, lends a depth to the visuals.(SD-Agencies)