Descendants
Directed by Kenny Ortega
Written by Josann McGibbon, Sara Parriott
Starring Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart, Sofia Carson, Mitchell Hope, Keegan Connor Tracy, Dan Payne, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Maz Jobrani, Kathy Najimy, Kristin Chenoweth
Disney Channel
Air Date: Friday, July 31st, 2015, 8:00pm

Disney Channel movies, no matter if they are good or bad, tend to be very popular and overwatched, for a few reasons:

1) They star established Disney Channel TV Stars.
2) They have catchy pop tunes, sung by Disney Channel TV Stars.
3) They are re-aired twice a day, every day, for 6 months to a year (or until the sequel and/or next Disney Channel movie).

There is sometimes a 4th and 5th reason. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, you have to just be happy that it did – the movie has a good premise and some good acting (a few famous adult actors don’t hurt either).

Such is the case of Disney’s Descendants.

This movie was adorable! Belle (Keegan Connor Tracy) and Beast’s (Dan Payne) son, Prince Ben (Mitchell Hope), is about to be crowned king. His first royal decree is to free the innocent children of Maleficent (Kristin Chenoweth), Evil Queen (Kathy Najimy), Jafar (Maz Jobrani), and Cruella de Vil (Wendy Raquel Robinson), from the island they threw all the evil people on so long ago.

So Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos (Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, and Cameron Boyce) went to sugary spice and everything nice Auradon Prep (where they had to take Remedial Goodness), and proceeded to cause lots of trouble, but there’s more to it (isn’t there always?).

The songs were super-fun, and the kids (and adults – hello! Kristin Chenoeth!) had beautiful voices. The premise was unique, but the story is age-old and gets you every time. These four kids, neglected in an evil land, flourish with support, guidance, and kindness. Then it is taken away by prejudice and hate… once again, causing them to decide that evil is better anyway. Did good or evil prevail?

You gotta watch to find out! Don’t worry. It will be on every 5 minutes, and these teens are overnight stars. Not sure yet if one of them will break out into Zac Efron status, but they have time.

Ok. I admit it. I loved this movie. Good thing. My kids will probably have it on for the next 12 weeks.

Cast of Characters:

Mal is the daughter of Maleficent. A natural born leader, she enjoys drawing and casting spells (but only as needed)

Evie is the daughter of the Evil Queen. She is great at creating her own fashion and can communicate with her magic mirror.

Carlos is the son of the infamously famous Cruella de Vil. He is smart, loyal, witty, and, oh yeah, is afraid of dogs, too.

Jay is the loyal son of Jafar, the Ex-Royal Vizier of Agrabah. Jay has a talent for stealing and scheming and is a natural athelete.

Ben is the idealistic son of King Beast and Queen Belle. Next in line for the throne, Ben is caring, brave and not afraid of change.

Audrey is the daughter of Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and Prince Phillip. She is the cheerleading captain and has a knack for fashion.

Jane is the shy and insecure daughter of Fairy Godmother. She is fascinated with magic, even if her mum doesn’t let her use it!

Doug is the son of Dopey, the most playful and silly of the Seven Dwarfs. He plays several instruments and is in the marching band.

Chad Charming: Born in Charming Providence, Auradon, Chad is the athletic, good looking and, um, charming son of Prince Charming and Cinderella.

Lonnie, the daughter of Mulan and Shang is a kind and good-hearted soul who enjoys Martial Arts and hip-hop dance.

[Source: Disney]

Videos

Most Evil Laughs from the Cast of Descendants

Listen to the villainous cackles of the Descendants cast.

“Set It Off” Music Video | Descendants

Watch “Set It Off” from Descendants with clips from the movie!