Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Disney
Release Date: January 14, 2020
Rating: PG-13
Film: 3.5/5
 
Plot
The years have been kind to Maleficent and Aurora. Their relationship, born of heartbreak, revenge and ultimately love, has flourished. Yet hatred between man and the fairies still exists. Aurora's impending marriage to Prince Philip is cause for celebration as the wedding serves to unite the Kingdom of Ulstead and the neighboring Moors. But, when an unexpected encounter introduces a powerful new alliance, Maleficent and Aurora are pulled apart to opposing sides in a Great War, testing their loyalties and causing them to question whether they can truly be a family.
My Thoughts
I was pleasantly surprised by the first Maleficent back in 2014, but I greeted the sequel with some skepticism since I wasn’t sure where they could take the character or the story. The first act doesn’t start very well at all and the story doesn’t really begin to pick up until the second act. If you can make it that far, the story starts to pick up steam and has a pretty exciting conclusion.
 
Jolie’s characterization of Disney’s iconic evil woman is very convincing and while the story is somewhat pedestrian, the special effects and fabulous costume design ultimately won me over. Unfortunately, the audio track is recorded lower than it should be—typical of Disney releases—but a turn of the volume knob in the right direction fixes it.
 
Video 9.5/10
 
Audio 9/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
Special Features:

• Origins of the Fey
• Aurora’s Wedding
• If You Had Wings
• Maleficent: Mistress of evil VFX Reel
• Extended Scenes
• Outtakes
• Music Video
• Blu-ray + Digital Copy

 

 
 
Conclusion
I ended up liking the first film five years ago and this one ultimately won me over after its lackluster start. While predictable as ever, the production design is through the roof and I found the climatic battle at the end quite engaging. The video encode is excellent and like the tagline on the box art states, “Evil never looked so good.” Recommended.
 
 
Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor 
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player 
 System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 JL Audio Fathom F110 Subwoofers x 2 (stacked)
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (stacked)

Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

I liked this one more than expected as well Dave. Nice review!

 

[David Vaughn]

Greetings,

I liked this one more than expected as well Dave. Nice review!

 

Thanks Ralph. It surprised me as well. Did you think it started a little rough too?

[AVSMike]

Have not seen this one yet, but do want to see it. Thanks for the review.

[Ralph P.]

Thanks Ralph. It surprised me as well. Did you think it started a little rough too?

Greetings,

I was okay with the start but, thought that the rough part occurred during act 2 when the realm of the fairies element was introduced.

[Paul Heroy]

I watched this last weekend. Thought it was ok, looked really gorgeous at times. I didn't want to buy a copy so just rented in 4K via Apple TV. 

One thing that really stood out to me in a bad way was Jolie's character having virtually no lines, and what there was, was frequently monosyllabic pablum. Between the opening and ending few minutes I don't think she had more than 3-4 lines - mostly just gave arching/horrified type looks. It just came across bizarrely to me, given that other characters were much less vocally restrained.