In the fourth Descendants film (on Disney+ and Disney Channel in August), former villain and pirate Uma (played by Black Lightning/A.N.T. Farm's China Anne McClain) becomes the new headmistress of Auradon Prep. She decides to give a second chance to the kingdom of Wonderland, which has been sealed off from the rest of Auradon, and invites Princess Red (Gabby Duran and the Unsittables' Kylie Cantrall) to attend. Her mother The Queen of Hearts (actress/singer Rita Ora) uses the opportunity to sneak in her troops and stage a coup. Red, who doesn't want to be evil like her mother, and Cinderella's daughter Chloe (Malia Baker) use a time travel device to go back in time in order to stop the event that turned The Queen of Hearts evil.
This is a movie that starts out promisingly, I even initially thought it would be better than Descendants 3. The first act does an effective job of setting up the characters and plot. The second act has fun introducing the past younger versions of various famous Disney characters. However, things start falling apart by the end. Characters seem to be forgotten and tossed to the side, but it's especially the ending that feels lackluster. It doesn't have the traditional big emotional moment and spectacle you'd expect for the finale; it just kind of ends. The weirdest thing is that this doesn't go where you think it'd go based on comments and set up earlier as well as the usual tropes for person-goes-back-in-time-and-meets-their-younger-parents stories. People online were speculating that scenes were cut, but the executive producer gave an interview and apparently that wasn't the case. They intentionally made these weird decisions. Also, it's a time travel movie, so it's always a headache figuring out the rules.
The strongest part is the growing friendship between Red and Chloe, the core of the story and only part that is done without complaint. Red has the better characterization and personality, but Chloe has the better progression as the privileged princess learns everything isn't always black-and-white. However, I feel it's because of the filmmakers' dedication to this storyline above all else that other aspects fell to the wayside and supporting characters were treated like chopped liver.
This has a completely new director and writers from the original trilogy. There is a bit of change in tone here as this entry feels a little darker and more serious (by Disney Channel movie standards I mean). It works when it comes to the stakes; The Queen of Hearts is much more dangerous than any previous villain in these films. However, I felt things got a little unpleasant for a movie where people in bright colors sing and dance. Whereas the villainous not-great parents in previous movies where portrayed as comical, the ones here are straight-up verbally abusive. I honestly think this might hurt replay value, because some may just not want to go through the hard moments over again. Also, I feel there are less "fun" scenes as in the past. I feel the writers were too obsessed with "the hero's journey and struggle" than remembering this is a kids' movie and just trying to have fun. (This movie is weirdly like Disney Channel's Teen Beach 2, a sequel that went darker, made things weird with time stuff, and feels slightly disconnected from its source.)
On the visual side, you can't fault this. Again, this movie has a budget that's not theatrical level but not exactly shabby. In fact, I think this one might have had a slightly higher budget than the previous films. A lot of the sets look great (Wonderland is pretty impressive) and has this childish sort of fantasy fun to them. Admittedly, the places that feels like they were filmed on location fail a little in comparison and Merlin Academy (Auradon Prep before it became Auradon Prep) feels a little too simple and austere.
Again, this movie continues a one of the trademark parts of the franchise: the costumes. Again we get delightfully over-the-top and colorful outfits with the villain ones going with this leather sorta child's version of cool and edgy. While the lead characters' outfits are good, they are not quite as distinctive as those of the original stars. However, there is one standout: the Queen of Hearts' outfits. They're flashy and delightfully over-the-top with a dress front designed to resemble a rose. (Though, I don't think her hair style when worn long really with the rest of her look.)
Again, the Descendants continue to have surprisingly entertaining song and dance numbers, provided they're kids' pop. The choreography really goes all out. The dancing for the villain songs in particular hits a lot harder than you'd expect for a children's film. Some of the songs are just okay, but there are some pretty catchy ones, especially the villains songs. The song for Uliana (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' Dara Renee), Ursula's younger sister, is particularly catchy and The Queen of Hearts' song is one of the best instances in quite a while of a song providing the exposition.
As has been the case again, we've got a pretty good cast here. Cantrall is likable as the rebellious but well-meaning Red and has a great singing voice. However, it's Ora who's the star player. She really hams up the Queen's coldness and has the best singing voice in all of the franchise. She slays her number.
This is one of those movies that is hard to rate and recommend or not. Some will enjoy the look and musical numbers of the whole. I think kids in particular will be less picky and happy with what they get. However, I think a lot of people will also be frustrated with the experience. I know Disney Channel movies aren't known for their well-thought out plots, but I am genuinely confused with the writers' reasoning and their potential disdain for a traditional story structure.
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