As a lover of nearly everything Disney, I was perturbed when Maleficent arrived in theatres, and I squirmed in my seat. I found it to be tonally uneven and horribly acted.

Then this sequel came around, and pulled me right into this universe. Angelina Jolie’s role as the misunderstood Maleficent has been given so much more bite this time, and as her adopted daughter tries to marry a prince, chaos strikes.

Maleficent is blamed — unjustly — as the wicked Queen Ingrith sticks her claws into the proceedings.

With fantastic performances from Jolie, Elle Fanning, the always-welcome Michelle Pfeiffer, Harris Dickenson. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Deadpool’s Ed Skrein, this is a high-flying, incredible return to form.

It’s the rare sequel that outdoes the original in spades, and I’m so glad I took a chance on it.

4/5 Stars