Maleficent and Racism

I just noticed some of the accents. It seemed that the main "good" characters had English accents.

I think that a British film company was involved in the filming.

The human barbarians to the north were the ones with Scottish accents.
I think I recall the raven having an Irish accent. Cast in the role of servant.

So cultural stereotypes include the Irish as working class, born into servitude. He at least offers Maleficent a bit of wisdom about her own behavior and how she treated those around her.

The Scotts and the English have been fighting each other since the Romans pulled out of the island.
It's a long standing tradition to view them as barbarians. Warlike and stubborn.

Maybe it's reaching but it did strike me as interesting how each different group of characters had shared character traits had shared accents depending on the group.

Maleficent Review

I didn't do a Frozen review. I still don't quite know what to think of it. I appreciate the movement away from romance and true love's kiss. I appreciate the relationship between the sisters and one loving the other enough to risk her life for her. Healing love.

I did not enjoy the tropes. Manic Pixie Dream Girl is worth mentioning.

I went to see Maleficent with Jess in 3D. Amazing film and I think this review says everything that needs to be said:

http://msmagazine.com/blog/2014/06/02/maleficent-finally-disney-gives-us-a-positive-witchmother/

Although I don't agree with the author that she is a misunderstood hero. Yes, she was acting out of trauma and pain, trying to punish the man who had hurt her but she hurt innocent people in the bargain. She did act as the villain even though her growing love for Aurora helped her heal and start to see the ways in which she had callously used people, Diavlo, and hurt people like Aurora herself and her mother.

Her mother was not a major character. She was in only one scene and died off screen. I guess this made it easier for Maleficent to fill that role.