By Roger Thomas, for the SNAP

It was all the way back in 1959 when Walt Disney put “Sleeping Beauty” on the big screen for the first time.

There are a lot of things that stand out in the film from 60 years ago. There were the three fairies that each wore a different color. There was the beauty of the Princess. And there was the evil Maleficent who got angry because she was not invited to the party. Sixty years later, there are many versions of the story, including the latest in theaters, “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.”

Who would have thought back in 2014 that Maleficent, the evil fairy all dressed with black, would discover her own series of films. The 2014 film was just a new beginning of the story of all the characters that started 60 years ago.

However, after five years or so, theaters are filling seats so that audiences can discover what the witch that wears black is doing now.

The cast from almost a half decade ago, or the most prominent ones, have returned. Angelina Jolie is back as Maleficent, the witch who lives in the swamps and wears the very dark clothes even when the ceremony calls for bright and celebrating.

Maleficent’s daughter also has a prominent role. Her name is Aurora and she is played by Elle Fanning. These two ladies appeared in the previous film. This new film extends the story from the last one and adds some other twists and turns.

It has been more than four years since the first film with these characters and some viewers may have forgotten details of the first story.

Personally, a lot of films have passed, but the new film does remind previous viewers. For new audience members, there will be enough information of what has gone by.

This film is very easy to get involved with it — and there are a great many things beyond the plot.

Visuals, music, costumes, sets and special effects all create a world beyond ours, and it is a wonderful thing.

The greatest element of the film is the visuals. The story is good, not great. The actors performances are also fine. As often these days, it is still the visuals and special effects that make this film grander.

The best element of this film was unexpected. It is always fun to find something in a film that one would never think would be there in the story.

There are two films already that focus on “Maleficent,” so maybe these characters should fill a trilogy.

However, since sometimes people forget the stories they have read or heard, before the third film begins, there should be an introduction that is shorter than the one in “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.”

Roger W. Thomas of Albemarle reviews films for The Stanly News & Press.