122 reviews
Charming with a bit too much Cheese
I won't be the first in saying this movie was a bit slanted toward the cheesy, campy side of Disney. But then again, what Disney Channel movie isn't? I would like to point out, however, that the leads (Mal and Ben) were relatively believable (and likable) characters. I'm not spoiling the movie when I say that Dove Cameron did well at portraying an independent young woman with conflictions about living up to her mother's expectations. On the good side, Mitchell Hope made me believe he was the son of a Disney prince and princess (now king and queen).
Granted, there were several times I wanted to stop watching this film due to the gross amount of cheese and horrible scripts, but I stayed each time for those moments of sincerity and sometimes cleverness. I will probably watch this movie again, and maybe again after that. (Guilty pleasures...) Oh, and P.S. Kristin Chenoweth is an amazing actress who was clearly having fun with her role. She might have come off as mostly cartoonish, but there were some moments where she brought the dread-factor in some subtle ways.
Granted, there were several times I wanted to stop watching this film due to the gross amount of cheese and horrible scripts, but I stayed each time for those moments of sincerity and sometimes cleverness. I will probably watch this movie again, and maybe again after that. (Guilty pleasures...) Oh, and P.S. Kristin Chenoweth is an amazing actress who was clearly having fun with her role. She might have come off as mostly cartoonish, but there were some moments where she brought the dread-factor in some subtle ways.
- jonbee-39559
- Aug 27, 2015
- Permalink
Rotten to the core
- MissSimonetta
- Jul 31, 2015
- Permalink
I'm here for ALL of this
Hallmark movies: bad. Reimaginings of classic Disney properties: bad. Yet mixing those two wrongs together somehow makes a right. Descendants is better, smarter, more original, more entertaining, and thematically deeper than nearly every live-action Disney remake (still stan hard for Branagh's Cinderella).
- matthewssilverhammer
- Oct 11, 2019
- Permalink
Nostalgia, hit and miss.
After the promotion this Disney Original Movie got, I had to go on great lengths to watch it.
The movie reminded me a lot of the 90's Disney Originals and held a familiar sensation which I will attribute it to HalloweenTown. The notions were childish and simple but totally in tune with the Disney Originals tradition which can be seen when Magic and Fantasy is involved.
The movie from the perspective of an adult or an overly mature teen might miss the point. Yes, this movie is not great but it managed to convince us that the silliness of the Golden Age of Disney Animation was not forgotten. On the contrary somewhere the Disney villains settled down and had kids. As a 90's kid I have to admit that I feel somewhat satisfied.
The plot is simple and the musical parts were not half bad but will pass with difficulty in the D.O.M. Hall of Fame as High School musical and HalloweenTown did. I believe that Disney could pull off a great series with this material which would have been perhaps hilarious but as a movie it's something less than Cinderella 1997 of Rodgers and Hammerstein but more of the last attempts to follow the last decade's magic/ghost/zombie and vampire trade.
Therefore, if you think about watching it beware. It may seem great and nostalgic but absurd on several points. In my opinion the plot at some points had great thoughts, badly put together but that's just my opinion. Young children and teens will probably like it but their parents will be a tad disappointed. This is an attempt to lure the young generation back to Disney's animation and live action traditions but parents and young adults alike will be emotionally conflicted.
The movie reminded me a lot of the 90's Disney Originals and held a familiar sensation which I will attribute it to HalloweenTown. The notions were childish and simple but totally in tune with the Disney Originals tradition which can be seen when Magic and Fantasy is involved.
The movie from the perspective of an adult or an overly mature teen might miss the point. Yes, this movie is not great but it managed to convince us that the silliness of the Golden Age of Disney Animation was not forgotten. On the contrary somewhere the Disney villains settled down and had kids. As a 90's kid I have to admit that I feel somewhat satisfied.
The plot is simple and the musical parts were not half bad but will pass with difficulty in the D.O.M. Hall of Fame as High School musical and HalloweenTown did. I believe that Disney could pull off a great series with this material which would have been perhaps hilarious but as a movie it's something less than Cinderella 1997 of Rodgers and Hammerstein but more of the last attempts to follow the last decade's magic/ghost/zombie and vampire trade.
Therefore, if you think about watching it beware. It may seem great and nostalgic but absurd on several points. In my opinion the plot at some points had great thoughts, badly put together but that's just my opinion. Young children and teens will probably like it but their parents will be a tad disappointed. This is an attempt to lure the young generation back to Disney's animation and live action traditions but parents and young adults alike will be emotionally conflicted.
Worth a watch
Definitely a cute little movie, and certainly worth a watch. The plot may be clichéd to a point, but the characters are pretty likable and the overall atmosphere is fun. Kristen Chenoweth is delightful as Maleficent, and even adds a couple of nods to Glinda, something which other Wicked fans are sure to pick up on. Unlike some family comedies, this one doesn't rely on crude humor to be funny and instead remains appropriate for all ages. Disney fans will enjoy the little tributes to some of the classics. I would definitely recommend this film to anyone looking for some light, musical entertainment. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
- sarahshortgirl
- Jan 16, 2016
- Permalink
Actually not too bad
My daughter has constantly got the Disney channel on at home, so I'm treated with re-runs of the same old thing, even the movies are constantly on and I can get very fed up with it. So this movie was advertised to the hilt since the premier of Teen Beach 2, which was not as good as the first I might add. So after months of the advertising of the Descendants, I was fearing the worst. As much as I can't stand Cameron Boyce, I do like Dove Cameron from Liv and Maddie, which is the only show I can bear on Disney Channel.
After watching this movie, I was quite surprised, also I quite enjoyed it, Dove was brilliant as the daughter of Malificent, and Evie, was quite funny too. OK, the 2 boy villains were OK too. But the idea and story were actually pretty good, and some of the characters were quite fun to watch.
Also the parents of the villains were fun to watch, some of the things they say are quite amusing.
As far as Disney straight to TV movies go, I'd give it a go, of course, after months of repeating the film, you'll get fed up with it.
Overall watchable once or maybe 2 days later, twice, then you'll have had enough.
After watching this movie, I was quite surprised, also I quite enjoyed it, Dove was brilliant as the daughter of Malificent, and Evie, was quite funny too. OK, the 2 boy villains were OK too. But the idea and story were actually pretty good, and some of the characters were quite fun to watch.
Also the parents of the villains were fun to watch, some of the things they say are quite amusing.
As far as Disney straight to TV movies go, I'd give it a go, of course, after months of repeating the film, you'll get fed up with it.
Overall watchable once or maybe 2 days later, twice, then you'll have had enough.
I don't know what to say..bad or completely bad?
- rachel-41703
- Sep 19, 2019
- Permalink
looved it!
Wow, what a great movie!! So, High School Musical is my favorite Disney original musicals. But this is in 3rd place. The concept and story is so cool and I love the chemistry between all the actors. Dove Cameron is so great in this and you really believe in her character as Maleficent's daughter. The songs are great and they are so fun and they are so catchy! I love this movie and I am excited for the second one.
Pretty good for Disney Channel
I wanna make it very clear that this is a Disney Channel original movie. It is not exactly held to the same level as other movies. I watched this film keeping in mind that it is made for TV and targeted towards children. I will say that I liked the casting, I thought the actors fit their individual roles. Also, the musical numbers and singing is very good mostly. There are a couple of the teenage actors that haven't quite gotten where they need to be as far as singing goes, but Kristen Chenoweth was of course incredible. How could you star in one of the biggest Broadway hits ever and not be superb at singing. So I really enjoyed her and most of the singing. I also liked the character Mal, and I liked Ben too, and their connection. They had great chemistry. The plot is very very predictable, you can for sure predict what is gonna happen next. Of course that is a thing with Disney Channel, so just know that. I think this film is pretty good for a child audience. 7/10 for Descendants.
- davispittman
- Nov 7, 2017
- Permalink
A Really Lame Movie that had a Lot of Potential
A movie that was enjoyable
I really loved this movie. It was interesting and had a modern take on famous Disney villains. I really loved the characteristics used in this movie it was visually entertaining to follow the descendants and their story and the difficult things they go through. I personally really loved this movie it had a great plot, great CGI and its a lot better that high school musical. I recommend watching this amazing film it's really entertains and good.
- dunkirk-96384
- May 1, 2017
- Permalink
For Imbeciles
The trilogy of these films are only suitable for imbeciles, the acting is dreadful and as for the writing, a Lobotomised monkey would have written better.
Avoid these at all costs, shame on the Canadians that inflicted this drivel on the world, I thought they were nice people!
Avoid these at all costs, shame on the Canadians that inflicted this drivel on the world, I thought they were nice people!
Disney magic as seen through the lens of High School Musical
Don't be fooled by the premise; Descendants is not a nostalgic romp through classic Disney, nor is it a gritty reinterpretation of the source material a la last year's Maleficent. It has much more in common with High School Musical, Camp Rock, and Teen Beach Movie. These film franchises are so stylistically similar that they may as well be considered a single series with Descendants as the next in line (pun intended.) It is a series Disney is likely going to milk until it stops being profitable, so you might as well enjoy it until then. These films are shallow, cheesy, and unintelligent, but they're also so harmless and fun that there's no point in hating them. The target audience is clearly preteens, but there is plenty of enjoyment for adults and older teenagers due to three main factors:
1. The films don't take themselves too seriously.
2. The musical numbers are catchy and memorable.
3. The actors seem to be having fun which makes it easy for the viewer to have fun.
Here's how Descendants stacks up against its predecessors:
1. The moral of the film is "do what makes you happy and be with the people who make you happy even if it's not what others expect from you." It is no coincidence that High School Musical, Camp Rock, and Teen Beach Movie have that message in common. Descendants somehow manages to be even more rushed and less subtle in conveying it. While the film is lighthearted as a whole, it takes breaks to be serious and enforce its moral which detracts from the experience.
2. The very first song, "Rotten to the Core" is a blend of dubstep and poor attempts to be edgy. It is every bit as cringe-worthy as it sounds. The later songs are significantly better with "Did I Mention" as a highlight, but I'd still choose the Teen Beach Movie soundtrack over this one in a heartbeat.
3. To be blunt, there is no chemistry between the actors whatsoever. Dove Cameron's individual performance as Maleficent's daughter, Mal is somewhat captivating, but everyone else seems to be struggling to click with their characters.
I could go on about the predictability of the plot, the awkwardness of the dialogue, or the costumes which look like bad cosplay, but honestly, anyone who doesn't expect all that from a film like this is simply unobservant.
If High School Musical is your guilty pleasure, Descendants probably will be too even though it slips a little from the better aspects of its predecessors.
1. The films don't take themselves too seriously.
2. The musical numbers are catchy and memorable.
3. The actors seem to be having fun which makes it easy for the viewer to have fun.
Here's how Descendants stacks up against its predecessors:
1. The moral of the film is "do what makes you happy and be with the people who make you happy even if it's not what others expect from you." It is no coincidence that High School Musical, Camp Rock, and Teen Beach Movie have that message in common. Descendants somehow manages to be even more rushed and less subtle in conveying it. While the film is lighthearted as a whole, it takes breaks to be serious and enforce its moral which detracts from the experience.
2. The very first song, "Rotten to the Core" is a blend of dubstep and poor attempts to be edgy. It is every bit as cringe-worthy as it sounds. The later songs are significantly better with "Did I Mention" as a highlight, but I'd still choose the Teen Beach Movie soundtrack over this one in a heartbeat.
3. To be blunt, there is no chemistry between the actors whatsoever. Dove Cameron's individual performance as Maleficent's daughter, Mal is somewhat captivating, but everyone else seems to be struggling to click with their characters.
I could go on about the predictability of the plot, the awkwardness of the dialogue, or the costumes which look like bad cosplay, but honestly, anyone who doesn't expect all that from a film like this is simply unobservant.
If High School Musical is your guilty pleasure, Descendants probably will be too even though it slips a little from the better aspects of its predecessors.
- narfexists
- Aug 20, 2015
- Permalink
Pretty unbearable
My kids love these movies and they are definitely safe for kids viewing. I watched them once and now find any reason not to have to rewatch another minute ad my kids watch them over and over. The scripts are unbelievably cheesy, but the real offense is the music. The music is atrocious and cheesy. Lazy pop beats with whiny vocals. And the actors don't even pretend to try and do a good job syncing their lips to the music in the musical parts of the films. The other main issue I have is that every character in these movies is depicted as a selfish, entitled brat. Kids, adults, whatever - all spoiled brats. I don't really love my kids learning that sitting around on expensive furniture and whining about things is how life should be. Disney deathly could have done a better job of putting some actual admirable role models for kids in these movies.
- tuckmccorm-1
- Aug 13, 2021
- Permalink
It feels like a 90s movie but in a good way
- zombiefan89
- Jan 15, 2017
- Permalink
The movie has a nice story, nice plot .. unpredictable ending .. and yeah .. the singing thingy was a little unnecessary :P
So a TV movie by Disney channel,, the idea is new and kinda genuine, at first you'd think the plot is rigid and predictable but it really do has some unpredictability in the final scenes. The script is fine,,the experience of the writers has actually Flourished in this type of mini-series/TV movies which gave them an advantage.
There is only this thing i kinda hated or more like "disliked" about the movie which is the singing and dancing thingy !! well it's a bit shaggy and disorient the viewer even if it was a 9 year old kid sitting a 24/7 on Disney.. Thank god for the fast-forward bless ;) but to be fair,, other than the singing part,, the movie could have actually made a big fuss if it opened on the big screen ..
As for the cast ,, they were mostly fine .. for a Disney channel cast they looked like a stars there.
So overall,, the movie is nice .. watchable in a family night .. if you have an FF button on your remote you'll use it 3 times i think during the songs , well unless you have little kids then you're screwed :D but seriously thou ,, it is cool.
There is only this thing i kinda hated or more like "disliked" about the movie which is the singing and dancing thingy !! well it's a bit shaggy and disorient the viewer even if it was a 9 year old kid sitting a 24/7 on Disney.. Thank god for the fast-forward bless ;) but to be fair,, other than the singing part,, the movie could have actually made a big fuss if it opened on the big screen ..
As for the cast ,, they were mostly fine .. for a Disney channel cast they looked like a stars there.
So overall,, the movie is nice .. watchable in a family night .. if you have an FF button on your remote you'll use it 3 times i think during the songs , well unless you have little kids then you're screwed :D but seriously thou ,, it is cool.
- Aktham_Tashtush
- Aug 1, 2015
- Permalink
The next generation!
This is a great concept, I don't know why Disney did not turn it into a theatrical film. As per the television standards, this film succeeds from all the aspects. The casting was good, but the focus was not distributed equally. May be they kept it for the sequels, in each to tell everyone's tale as the centre. So this is about the descendants of the greatest villains of Disney's fairy tales. They all got admitted to the Auradon Prep located near to their banished land. A chance to follow their own path, particularly to cut off bad influences of their parents. But would they accept the offer and make it work or there any agenda to avenge for the past are the remaining parts.
It's a musical like any fairytale. But average tracks. The performances were good, even the graphics are very acceptable. So colourful and visually appealing. I think this kind of trend began with the recent success of 'Maleficent'. So you must not expect the moral values, particularly I'm saying it for the parents. Because, this is about the villains and their children, so the majority of the film leans on the negative factors. But as usual, all ends well, if you consider that a message or learning point for your children.
Directed by 'Hocus Pocus' filmmaker. I was looking forward to watch it since it came out. Finally, I saw it and enjoyed it, but not the great film. The children's would love it, especially those who are familiar with the characters and its origin. Surely lot to expect, but I advise to keep your expectation low to benefit maximum. I have heard, they are already making the second film, which is due later this year. So I hope this time I watch it on the time.
6/10
It's a musical like any fairytale. But average tracks. The performances were good, even the graphics are very acceptable. So colourful and visually appealing. I think this kind of trend began with the recent success of 'Maleficent'. So you must not expect the moral values, particularly I'm saying it for the parents. Because, this is about the villains and their children, so the majority of the film leans on the negative factors. But as usual, all ends well, if you consider that a message or learning point for your children.
Directed by 'Hocus Pocus' filmmaker. I was looking forward to watch it since it came out. Finally, I saw it and enjoyed it, but not the great film. The children's would love it, especially those who are familiar with the characters and its origin. Surely lot to expect, but I advise to keep your expectation low to benefit maximum. I have heard, they are already making the second film, which is due later this year. So I hope this time I watch it on the time.
6/10
- Reno-Rangan
- Feb 13, 2017
- Permalink
Not Accurate To Original Characters!! Boring and shameful!
- hockeygal-56589
- Aug 6, 2015
- Permalink
Unlike Anything I've Ever Seen Before
What a unique story line and plot for a movie. The kids of villains interacting with the kids of the heroes? I love it! The songs are fun, the lyrics are good and I like that the singing isn't constant, it's just some times throughout the movie. The characters are perfect and it really draws you in. I am so excited that there is a part 2! Kids will love this movie without a doubt.
- gratefulgiveaways
- May 6, 2017
- Permalink
Evilicious Fun For the Whole Family!
The offspring of some of the most notorious villains are given a second chance and attend high school off the isle of the lost where their parents were banished to.
Are the kids ROTTEN TO THE CORE? As the opening song suggests or is their still goodness in their hearts?
Cute albeit campy songs..but enjoyable overall.
Much cheese coming from the House of the Mouse!
Worth a look!
Are the kids ROTTEN TO THE CORE? As the opening song suggests or is their still goodness in their hearts?
Cute albeit campy songs..but enjoyable overall.
Much cheese coming from the House of the Mouse!
Worth a look!
this movie is horrible
- rayeraymusd
- Dec 17, 2016
- Permalink
Wonderful Movie!
I thought this was a great movie for children and adults who grew up with the original to show the new generation of our kids a new generation of the villains and princes and princesses.
My 4 year old daughter loves it so much she watches it on repeat and I find myself watching it with her each time.
The actor chosen for everyone was GREAT. And I can't wait for the next one. (book or movie) but I would defiantly read the book before watching the movie.
book is great too :)
enjoy
My 4 year old daughter loves it so much she watches it on repeat and I find myself watching it with her each time.
The actor chosen for everyone was GREAT. And I can't wait for the next one. (book or movie) but I would defiantly read the book before watching the movie.
book is great too :)
enjoy
The Children of Tomorrow!
One of Disney's best plot ideas in a century. The Movie had a great plot to work with, and it managed it well.
Watching the teenage versions of Disney's most famous Heroes and Villains interact is both Interesting for younger generations and nostalgic for for people who grew up watching the parents of these children.
If you can look past some minor plot holes,(such as how most villain children only have 1 parent) the story is quite satisfying.
The music elements flow seamlessly thanks to High School Musical Director "Kenny Ortega". The Vocals are outstanding particularly by leads "Dove Cameron"(Mal), "Sofia Carson"(Evie) and Mitchell Hope(Prince Ben).
Overall the movie falls short in very few areas, with some cheesy songs pulling it down a little along with a predictable ending, but the movie is an instant classic among current Disney fans and a must see for all, old and new.
Watching the teenage versions of Disney's most famous Heroes and Villains interact is both Interesting for younger generations and nostalgic for for people who grew up watching the parents of these children.
If you can look past some minor plot holes,(such as how most villain children only have 1 parent) the story is quite satisfying.
The music elements flow seamlessly thanks to High School Musical Director "Kenny Ortega". The Vocals are outstanding particularly by leads "Dove Cameron"(Mal), "Sofia Carson"(Evie) and Mitchell Hope(Prince Ben).
Overall the movie falls short in very few areas, with some cheesy songs pulling it down a little along with a predictable ending, but the movie is an instant classic among current Disney fans and a must see for all, old and new.
- IrishPal2002
- Jul 1, 2016
- Permalink
A fun movie with occasional weaknesses
- Horst_In_Translation
- Mar 1, 2017
- Permalink
Original idea, nothing else original
- sugarcookie788
- Aug 29, 2015
- Permalink