the cuddly creatures and razzle-dazzle action are enough to make two hours disappear, but it's only Jolie's bat-winged charisma that will rattle on in your memory
some movies twist; the Maleficent series politely flips on a signal before any turns. [But] in some ways, "Mistress of Evil" is a marginally more enjoyable fantasy scramble than its predecessor
love, war and Angelina Jolie's supernaturally sharp cheekbones mark "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil," a Disney sequel that carries over some welcome magic from the refreshing original. Jolie's magnetism is why these "Maleficent" movies work
it's just another ugly, unpleasant slog through a disposable fantasy universe. The true Disney villains in this case are off screen, sabotaging the studio's canon from within
in the end, both Pfeiffer and Jolie's talents end up going to waste. Maleficent may have offered a sharp, original take on a well-worn story, but its sequel just feels like more fantasy fluff
impressive visuals and a very watchable cast make this a fun popcorn fantasy flick that's at its best when it leans into its genre roots and aims to create a truly fantastical fairytale world
for kids maybe this is still magical; grownups, though, will waste many long, busily bedazzled minutes wondering why the powers that were able to bring Pfeiffer and Jolie together on screen couldn't do at least marginally better by them both
Angelina Jolie, Michelle Pfeiffer and Elle Fanning do their best in second revisionist fairytale, but CGI battles kill the story; This "Maleficent" is disappointing
an improvement on the first film, in the end, and an encouraging rallying cry against fear and intolerance, but it's still far too busy and baroque to match its leading lady's elegance
all in all, Maleficent is a really eye-catching piece of cinema with a great central message around tolerance and fear; Visually spectacular fun with a lot of magic but a bit too dark for some little ones
by Brian Truitt [USA Today ]
by Clarisse Loughrey [Independent (UK) ]
by Rosie Knight [IGN ]
