I always thought it was funny how Maleficent's turn to evil was partially because she wasn't invited to a party, like, let that be a lesson to never leave anyone out! Or something, haha! I have to say I appreciated that the live-action Maleficent film really tried to do more with her character and story (even if it totally veered away from the original animated film, I'm kind of glad it did). I totally agree with you on Dr. Facilier. There was just something about his story that never set well with me, and I think you nailed it: that his story mirrors Tiana's and would have really had an awesome opportunity to show redemption.

I'd rather Disney pick between one of these options and lean into it, because, if you try to go for something in between the "pure fantasy villain" treatment and the "villains as actual people" treatment, you end up with something uncanny, where the villain seems outwardly like a real person except inwardly they are in fact an extremely flat, inscrutable villain who has nothing going on other than being evil
~This EXACTLY. There's nothing wrong with going either/or, but when they go in between it comes across as really awkward.