Contains moments of grandeur. Lush colors. A magical air. One of the most menacing villains in the Disney canon.

DIsney's 1950s translation of the classic fairy tale is really well done. The incorporation of Tchaikovksy's "Sleeping Beauty" musical score makes the movie even all the more fun. There's no real surprises here--like Snow White, true love's first kiss breaks the spell. Having said that, the Prince must fight a vile creature and her goblin assistants in order to save a recently deceased Princess Aurora. Some small children may find both Maleficent (Eleanor Audley, who also voiced another Disney villain--Lady Tremaine from Cinderella) and her goblins to be a little dark and scary. The scene in which Princess Aurora has fallen under Maleficent's spell, leading up to her pricking her finger on the spinning wheel, is kinda eerie as well and may frighten some small children. The music, again taken straight from Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty" suite, is at it's most intense and creepy moments, intensifying the scene in the movie. While I would not say that there is too much drinking in the film, there is a scene in the movie in which King Stephen and Prince Philip's dad are drinking toasts to the wedding of their children. In the same scene, the lute player is scene drink and hiccuping into his instrument. While humorous, some more conservative parents may be put off by this scene and it can easily be skipped over without missing part of the movie or storyline. On a positive note, Princess Aurora represents the Disney-stereotypical princess--selfless, beautiful, and (arguably) gullible. She's also fair, kind, and full of love for the fairies who raise her. The fairies act more like sisters in a family, sibling rivalry and all, and parents can use that to help quarreling siblings solve problems (because there obvious is real magic that will solve life's solutions). You be the judge. I find the movie to be fairly mild, but don't give your kids nightmares over it.

This was my favorite movie growing up and I still love it. I read the story to my girls (ages 4 and 2.5) many times before we watched the movie and I explained some of the scarier parts (Maleficent and the dragon) before we watched. They love this film and have seen it about a dozen times now. With all the preparation I did, the dragon scene didn't scare them at all, but I can see how it may scare some children, so be ready and watch with them. The overall message (love conquers all) is really sweet and the animation is just gorgeous. It is like a tapestry set in motion.

With Sleeping Beauty, there’s not much more you could ask for from a classic Disney movie: a prince, a princess, cute and funny animals, comedic relief, an evil queen, and a fairytale ending. *** What’s interesting is that while Sleeping Beauty (aka Princess Aurora) gets top billing, it’s the three fairies who carry the film. In fact, Aurora is virtually a bit player in her own movie; she’s more of a plot device than a fully developed character. *** Aside from the antics of the fairies, the wickedness of Maleficent, and the climactic battle, Sleeping Beauty plays a bit quiet. However, the last ten minutes are truly exciting as Prince Philip faces off against Maleficent in the form of a fire-breathing dragon (her, not him). *** Sleeping Beauty is rated G, and is largely appropriate for all ages. Some minor concerns for small children: Maleficent can be menacing at times; one of the king servants gets tipsy on wine; in the climax, Maleficent declares that she is summoning “all the powers of Hell;” and a dragon is stabbed by a sword, with some blood coming from the wound. *** Read my full review at: filmfather [dot] blogspot [dot] com

As in SNOW WHITE.. SLEEPING BEAUTY can only be awoken by true loves kiss. Now that story over and over again might be tiresome to some, but this is another classic flick.

20 minutes of the prince fighting with the dragon! Very scarey for young children. I think this shouldn't have been a G movie. I know it's a classic but it's been shrelved at our house!

My daughter loves all the princesses, but in this one she always asks to skip the parts with the "mean queen." Besides the dragon fight, the scene in Maleficent's castle is a little scary (the warthogs or whatever they are chasing the prince), and the beginning where Maleficent curses the baby is hard to explain to a little one.