This film is one of
those rare exceptions I make because of one thing it was actually good.
To me it was one of those rare examples of a Disney TV movies and TV
movies in general actually being good when actual thought and effort is
applied.
I really like the concept, in a way it's kinda like with
the Marvel graphic comic series "Runaways" only instead of the children
of comic book villains and supervillians, here it's kids of fairy tale
villains.
The production value is on par, for a limited budget
they did well. Really like the look of both the enchanted land where the
good Fairy Tale characters live. I like how despite magic the land also
has technology that exists, and one other unique aspect I like is their
version of "Lacrose" which is also a slight combo of the game Assault
from the TV show "American Gladiators" as the centerline there are
tennis balls being shot at the players.
And of course the island
which is literally a prison island like in the movie "Escape from New
York" as we see it's a bit of a slum and run down from the fact magic
doesn't work within the boundary line and the fact most who occupy it
aren't good company.
Though for me the song and dance numbers are
the weak point of the film. The songs, their fun and good but just
aren't really that memorable, to me anyway. Personally I would of been
fine even if this film had no songs at all and I think that was at first
the original intention. But this is just a minor quib and there really
aren't that many song and dance numbers which is a relief.
But of
course were here for the Descendant characters, the ensemble that play
there were actually pretty solid, each of them had fun in their roles.
All of the characters were unique in persona's and had specialties. In a
way the film is also almost a heist film since their objective is to
steal the Blue Fairy's wand which is the maguffin of the film. I really
liked how it had that suspense where you felt these characters could go
either way as each of them are going though the motions of adjusting to a
life they never had.
My favorite character is of course Mal
played by Dove Cameron whom was surprisingly good because she had more
range to work with. I like the costume and look to her, where it's sort
of a mix of both rebel and goth. I really like how she has a leadership
quality to her, rebellious, mischievous, even has a sort of dry sarcasm
and charisma.
Each of the Decendants really by their nature
aren't bad or not as bad as they think, their heads are just in the
wrong place no thanks to the bad lessons their parents taught them. You
actually do feel and kinda care about them, one moment I found sad was
when their asked if their parents ever made them cookies it really told
you a lot showing how little love each of these kids got, and that the
villains despite being good villains their lousy parents, the Decendants
to them are nothing but tools, means to their ends, which really sucks
that isn't right.
There are even little moments I liked where we
see that some of the Decendants of the good fairy tale characters really
aren't so good. From Audrey (Aurara's Decendent) whom is self absorbed
and Chad (Cinderella's Descendant) is dishonest, a hypocrite, and kinda a
brown noser. Those details I felt show just because kids were born from
the right side of the tracks doesn't always mean their turn out good.
And
of course we see each of the Decendants start to actually make or even
have something in their lives, from Mal opening up and having feelings
for Ben (Bele and the Beast's descendant), Carlos getting over his
misplaced fear of dogs, and others which shows they really can have the
good life and all the more makes you hope their make the right choice.
The
film has a good message which is to simply be your own person, don't
let labels, class, or even background define you. Only you have the
power to decide who and what you want to be.
Overall it's a solid
film, it's not exactly a fantasy classic in my book anyway but it's
still fun to watch, if your a fan of the Disney fantasy films or just
the fantasy genre, like the Descendants themselves it's worth giving a
chance.
