Metacritic Movie Ratings
Maleficent Reviews

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

• 80

  out of 100

  The Hollywood ReporterSheri Linden

  A few bumpy patches notwithstanding, the new feature is an exquisitely designed, emotionally absorbing work of dark enchantment.

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• 75

  out of 100

  ReelViewsJames Berardinelli

  Calling Maleficent a "modern-day classic," as some have asserted, is overreaching. The production is engaging and appealing but only the passage of time will determine whether it holds in the memory with the strength of its animated predecessor.

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• 63

  out of 100

  Chicago TribuneMichael Phillips

  This is almost entirely Angelina Jolie's show...this is a performance that goes from point A to point B without seeming rote, or ho-hum.

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• 50

  out of 100

  VarietyAndrew Barker

  Uncertain of tone, and bearing visible scarring from what one imagines were multiple rewrites, the film fails to probe the psychology of its subject or set up a satisfying alternate history, but it sure is nice to look at for 97 minutes.

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• 50

  out of 100

  USA TodayClaudia Puig

  It fails to live up to its early promise, mostly because of an uneven tone and murky character development

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• 40

  out of 100

  Village VoiceAmy Nicholson

  With more actual grrrl power, Maleficent would be a bold redo. Instead, it's a beautiful snooze, a story that hints at the darkness underneath our fairy tales and tarnishes the idea of true love without quite daring to say what's really on its mind: that even the best of us might not live happily ever after.

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• 40

  out of 100

  Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern

  This icon of witchcraft can't save a production that's suffocatingly elaborate yet insufficiently bewitching.

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