Maleficent
2-Disc Blu-ray l DVD l Digital HD
Directed by Robert Stromberg
Starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Sam Riley, Brenton Thwaites
Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: Nov 4, 2014

Disney’s unexpected summer blockbuster that grossed more than $750 million worldwide arrives for its home release. Maleficent, the live-action retelling of the Sleeping Beauty tale from the perspective of the evil fairy, may offer more visual spectacle than storytelling substance, but it’s far from cursed. The Blu-ray debut of Maleficent soars as an overall presentation, albeit blighted when evaluating its individual parts.

Disney’s D23 Expo 2013 took over the Anaheim Convention Center one year ago this weekend. Tens of thousands of Disney fans gathered in the monstrous venue to peek into Disney’s future films and theme park creations, as well as to reflect on the company’s inspired history of brands and products. We at Geeks of Doom brought you live coverage of the event that included videos, previews of upcoming movies, and tours of exhibits.

Much has changed since the event, in terms of how certain properties evolved. This Disney In Depth reflects on the D23 Expo, based on what worked best, what deemed disappointing and how next year’s event can be even better.

Now that Maleficent has hit theaters, surprising critics and viewers alike with its strong box office earnings during its opening weekend, one question is on every analyst’s minds. Will this trend continue? To determine its potential future success in many areas, we must evaluate the film from various angles.

Among Disney’s most hyped films since it was first announced more than two years ago, Maleficent has drawn attention for its scale and star power. The highly budgeted fantasy adventure starring A-lister Angelina Jolie as the despicable and iconic Disney villain was bound to generate anticipation. But as the past few years have shown with live-action fairy tales, their resonance with audiences can range from mighty movies (Alice in Wonderland) to weak entries (Mirror Mirror). Was Maleficent destined to perform well or fall flat on its special effects-laden face? The answer is not quite as clear.

Maleficent
Director: Robert Stromberg
Screenwriter: Linda Woolverton
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, Lesley Manville
Walt Disney Pictures
Rated PG | 97 Minutes
Release Date: May 30, 2013

Directed by Robert Stromberg, Maleficent explores the untold story of Disney’s iconic villain from the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty and the betrayal that ultimately turned her once-pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) places a cruel and irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn child, Aurora.

As the child grows, Aurora (Elle Fanning) is caught in a middle of an age-old conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her destiny. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.

Today, TeeFury is doing one of their special “Twofury” deals with two shirts for $11 each, both of which are inspired by Disney’s Sleepy Beauty / Maleficent: “Edo Fairies” (at left) by joshmirm, and “The Evil Fairy” (at right) by pigboom.

The sale began at Teefury today, Friday, May 30, 2014, at midnight EST, and will continue for 24 hours from then, and once it’s over, it will not be sold on the site anymore.