Opening the hood

Vehicles use a two stage latch. You pull the release handle inside the vehicle and that releases the main hood latch. The hood will normally pop up a bit. Then you need to reach into the gap and find the secondary latch. That latch it there in case the main latch is pulled or releases while the vehicle is in motion. It should stop the hood from flying open and folding over the windshield.

On the Malibu it should be a lever that pushes down and left to move the safety latch. The lever is on the main latch in the center of the hood about six inches in from the front lip. To reach it you need to put your hand in almost to the wrist and find the lever. Push it left and down. Then lift the hood and put the prop rod in place to hold it open.

If you pull the interior lever and the hood does not pop up the latch is either in need of lubrication or the spring is bad (lack of lube is very common) For that you can use a few things. I like a product called Fluid Film, it works good on latches, door and hood/trunk hinges as a lube that stays in place.
If it does not pop up you might be able to push the hood down a bit, have someone pull the release and then lift up on the hood as they hold the latch.