Jolie is riveting every time she's on screen, bringing humor where needed, and cold hard glassy stares to convey rage. At one point, she bursts into a piercing scream at the loss of her wings; it's impossible not to be moved. But trapped in a film unsure of what it wants to be, the actress is its only strength. For Maleficent is beset with an overly busy plot, pacing issues, and abrupt changes in tone. Her own character suffers from a sort of script schizophrenia - one moment she's raising hell, playing up to her wicked witch persona, the next moment she's all gooey and soft over Aurora's kindness. The romantic angle, between Aurora and the prince whose true-love kiss will break the curse, feels slapdash and underdeveloped, and the obligatory climatic action has little awe or wonder.