Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.5

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is a must-see follow-up with plenty of action-packed fun to make the trip back to the Moors worthwhile. The film stars Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning. A Disney sequel with plenty to offer audiences of all ages.

Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and Aurora (Elle Fanning) experience a exciting adventure as unexpected new allies join them on their journey while diabolical enemies go up against them. A potential merger of the mortal land of Ulstead and the magical land of the Moors occurs: everything is at stake. Can magic continue alongside the ordinary?

The performances are central to Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. Angelina Jolie is as confident as Maleficent as she was in the original feature. Jolie never misses a beat. The role was perfect as a showcase for her incredible range. Fanning is even more impressive the second go around (providing the film with a sense of whimsy and charm). The addition of Michelle Pfeiffer to the cast was a wonderful choice as well.

The production design by Patrick Tatopoulos (Justice League, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) is epic in scope and scale. The spectacle on display is outstanding. There is so much to enjoy and appreciate here. The CG wizardry is complex.

The cinematography by Henry Braham (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, The Legend of Tarzan) gives the production a sense of grandiose wonder. The visuals are well lit and the use of color in the cinematography is exquisite: providing ample light and darkness (depending on the needs of each respective scene).

A must-own premium steelbook.

The costumes by Ellen Mirojnick (The Greatest Showman, Bridgerton) provide each central character with pitch-perfect attire. The design for Maleficent is as striking as in the first film (with a haunting complexity on display) while the gowns for Aurora are simply breathtaking.

One element which was a little less enticing than the first go-around is the music by Geoff Zanelli (Christopher Robin, Into the West). Though a decent score, the absence of James Newton Howard is felt. Zanelli is talented but not in the same league as Howard.

The screenplay by Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King), Noah Harpster (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Magic Camp), and Micah Fitzerman-Blue (The Legend of Master Legend, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) surprises with a solid story. A extension of the first Maleficent, the storytelling was better than expected. A strong effort.

Director Joachim Ronning (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Kon-Tiki) made an engaging and exciting sequel with Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. While it is not as strong of an effort as the first Maleficent was, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is entertaining throughout. A worthy sequel that any Disney aficionados will want to see.

For additional information on Maleficent: Mistress of Evil and a different take on the feature-film, please refer to the review by my colleague Martin Liebman.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on 3D Blu-ray from Disney, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 MVC encoded high definition in the theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. The presentation is outstanding and a must-see in 3D. The release has impeccable depth throughout and the scan is quite sharp and engaging. There are no significant issues with ghosting or crosstalk and the 3D looks vibrant throughout.

While pop-out effects occur less frequently than in the original Maleficent feature, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is nonetheless a top- tier presentation and one that no 3D enthusiast should pass on. The action scenes are especially potent in 3D (and the climax of the film is all the more fun to watch as the 3D showcases Maleficent soaring through the air – and ultimately brings viewers closer to the story and action). Don't miss it.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround sound track. The lossless, high-resolution audio sounds outstanding on the release. Dialogue is crisp, clear, and easy to understand. The music score is well implemented in to the sound mix. The surrounds are engaging and dynamic: never missing a beat of the action. The soundstage is lively throughout.

My colleague, Martin Liebman, had a different take on the audio presentation. For more information, please refer to the original review. (Please Note: the audio score reflects the original star grading.)

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Maleficent: Mistress of Evil 3D collectors edition steelbook from Zavvi features a chip board art box to house the release. The collectible box looks elegant and classy with a design that is premium from top-to-bottom. The design has nice embossing and texture that makes the release an impressive item for fans of the feature-film. The steelbook is similarly elegant (with a nice sheen and partial spot gloss to enhance the art). The interior art-work is perfect for the film. An outstanding edition.

The release includes the same supplemental features provided on the 2D Blu-ray disc. For additional information on the supplemental features included, please refer to the review of the standard-edition here.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is a must-see in 3D. The action-packed sequel showcases the impeccable performances of Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning. Viewers equipped with a 3D television or projector won't want to miss out on this terrific presentation. The 3D has outstanding depth (and is never too dark). A great effort by Disney. Highly recommended.

Fans of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil 3D will be enormously pleased with the collectors edition steelbook release from Zavvi. The premium outer chip-board box looks and feels premium in hand. The outstanding steelbook print-quality makes a big impression. The spot loss looks fantastic. An incredible steelbook edition.