I've always found it curious how Disney's best "fairy tale" was the one that bombed. I'll never understand how Snow White could be better than Sleeping Beauty.
The film is probably a little overrated, though granted I do like a lot of the things it does. Prince Phillip is probably the best of the stock prince characters, largely due to his interactions with Maleficent and the fact he gets some screen time. I agree the fairies are the worst, and what they did was completely insane. Also I find it interesting how early in the movie they claim they can only use their magic for good, but how is putting everyone to sleep and turning Diablo into stone something "good"? Seems like a bit of an oversight to me.
As for Maleficent... well, no doubt she has thrived in recent years thanks to Kingdom Hearts. Still, she is probably the best classic era villain and sets the stage for many future Disney villains to follow in her path. Wickedly evil and complete with an awesome voice she was the first villain that really stole the show in a Disney film. All in all she's fantastic, but even I probably succumb to nostalgia when it comes to her.
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Still smilin'
:>