Last week I told you about Disney’s Descendants and my trip to L.A. to meet some of the cast and interview Kenny Ortega. Today is the big day (THE BIG PREMIERE) and now I’m going to tell you what I really think of the Disney Channel movie, Descendants… and the DVD!
Descendants is a modern good vs. evil, true to Disney, film. I like that they played upon characters that are already familiar to the audience. This allows everyone, even the parents, to connect to the story and be excited to watch it.
What’s Descendant’s About?
Can goodness reside inside of the heart of a child
who is raised to be anything but good?
When Belle and the Beast (AKA, Prince Adam) were married they combined the lands to create the United States of Auradon. When this happened all of the villains were sent to live on the Isle of the Lost (this is an island that is protected by a magical barrier to keep them inside and without the use of magic — and wifi), and Belle and Beast were appointed King and Queen.
Now, in present day Auradon, their son is ready to take over his father’s duties as King. As his first proclamation, he decides to allow the villain’s children the opportunity to live with them in Auradon. The King and Queen (hesitantly) agree to allow four children to leave the island. The daughter of Maleficent, Jafar, Evil Queen, and Cruella Deville.
When the parent villains find out, they are thrilled to send their children to Auradon… except, they want them to go on a quest that could get them all off the island!
From here the movie follows the villain children to Auradon where they are the new kids at school. I think this part of the movie is great timing since many children will be starting school back this upcoming week, thus the feelings Mal, Jay, Evie, and Carols experience are going to mirror what a lot of children feel on the first day of school.
What Did I Think of Descendants? My Review
The choreography in the movie looks like a lot of fun. I could tell that the cast enjoyed every minute of it. I loved the music and I especially enjoyed the remake of Be Our Guest.
THE COSTUMES ARE AWESOME!
The movie has several boy and girl relationship plots. I like that there is no kissing (Kenny Ortega told us that this was intentional.) The pairing of the Prince Ben and Mal is a main storyline. Prince Ben is a lot like his mother in looking beyond the exterior to see where Mal’s heart is. I was surprised by this couple right up to the end — I will say that I expected a different outcome from them.
Prince Ben’s Beast Roar is a funny touch!
A great message is sent to the young viewers when Evie and Doug are paired up as a couple. Evie (played by Sofia Carson) learns that she is a smart girl who should never pretend to be lesser than who she is to impress a boy.
The movie opens up some great discussions when it comes to peer pressure. Mal plays with the emotions of another girl at the school and the outcome isn’t good. Because of this storyline I think parents should take advantage of this opportunity to talk to their tweens and teens about the outcome of Mal’s behavior, how she made the other girl feel, and why they shouldn’t allow their friends to manipulate their thoughts.
After watching the movie I was excited to get my own DVD copy to share it with my children. The DVD is AVAILABLE NOW and includes Bonus Features with Backstage Dance Rehearsals, Bloopers, AND a
Sneak Peek: Descendants Wicked World
(animated series)
Watch Descendants on Disney Channel
TONIGHT
July 31st at 8 pm
or Check it out on the Watch Disney Channel App like almost a million others did this week!
“Leading into its television premiere TONIGHT, FRIDAY, JULY 31 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT), Disney’s “Descendants” has posted more than 1 million views on the WATCH Disney Channel app in just five days, setting records for engagement and viewing for the app which allows consumers to watch programming anytime and anywhere via their desktop, smartphone, tablet and connected TV devices.”
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