For every story you think you know, there's a side you don't. With that in mind, and riffing on alternative perspectives of well known stories (think Wicked!, the untold tale of Oz), Disney have revisited their 1959 hit Sleeping Beauty. This time, it's the turn of Maleficent the evil fairy to tell the story and as it turns out, she's not so, well, wicked.

At least, not at first. For once upon a time in a far off land, the world was divided between mankind and their magical neighbours. They lived peacefully but separately with the realm of the Moors home to all manner of happy creatures, one where a beloved, young fairy was the happiest of them all. Then she meets Stefan, a nervous human boy and while they embrace, his heart is weak. Years later when his King seeks to destroy a perceived threat posed by Maleficent, Stefan acts to cut her down. He steals her wings and in doing so, seizes power for himself. But glory is fleeting and revenge is not far behind. You know the rest: King Stefan has a beautiful daughter Aurora, there's an evil curse, spinning wheels, protective pixies and years in the wilderness).

But in this version of events, it's pretty clear that Maleficent wasn't bad, she was just drawn that way. Angelina Jolie (The Tourist) brings the now complex character to life with a delicious mix of emotion that reveals the price of betrayal, and how a broken heart is just a tender one in need of repair. Her modified physical presence a perfect match for the tale; a high camp blend of horny headgear, scarlet lips and razor sharp cheek bones. It is the foreground to director Robert Stromberg's striking production (he of Avatar and The Hunger Games). To winning effect, there's a deliberate combination of cutting edge animation and old-fashioned set construction. In some scenes you can almost see the background wobble as Maleficent flounces past. This merging of old and new takes the film out of the ordinary and gives it a pleasingly unusual texture, one tinged with a welcome whiff of nostalgia. Although Stromberg may not be an actor's director (as evidenced by Elle Fanning's (Super 8) two note performance as Aurora), he does bring style and terrific energy to this quite thrilling romp.

What's most interesting is the relationship between Maleficent and Aurora as she grows up, deep in the forest. Despite herself, 'Godmother' falls for the girls bright heart (Jolie has a good sense of arch, comic timing). She even tries to revoke the curse, but too late. Stefan, now mad with fear and paranoia, unleashes the hounds but he's outgunned by the fairy's wit, her power – both good and bad – and, above all, her sense of righteousness. While layering in a feminist perspective, it gives Stromberg the chance to wilfully capitalise on current fashions for all things medieval, armour clad and fire breathing.

Above all, Maleficent brings balance to an old tale. For things are not always as they seem, Kings aren't always benevolent and when men, women or fairies turn from the light, there's usually a good reason. With Lana Del Ray performing a darkly, haunting version of Once Upon A Dream over the closing credits, Maleficent rounds out as a rather, ahem, magical experience.

// COLIN FRASER

Previewed at Events Cinemas, George St, Sydney, on 28 May 2014