Disney Villains are supposed to be conventionally "ugly" and its protagonists are "attractive"*, as seen with Maleficent original character design and sneering smile. However, most would argue that Angelina Jolie is one of the prettiest actresses in Hollywood today. She has also starred in another action-adventure film: Lara Croft.  Playing a "reformed" villain with magic, Jolie has a lot of power within the Maleficent film, taking action to save the day within the plot and participating in her own stunts. Therefore, Maleficent is seen as an admirable super-hero of sorts, not a villain like in the original Sleeping Beauty.

*unfortunately these beauty standards were based on white features, hooked noses and slanty eyes are depicted as undesirable in Disney Golden Age and Renaissance films