“Descendants 3” Electrifying Energy

 

 

 

 

Review by John Delia

Showcasing song and dance the Descendants 3 mixes wicked fun with adventure. Disney’s evil villains are up for the task in this third episode that is high on the list for teens and tweens. Not your average TV production, the story moves along at a fast pace with some of the outlandish of costumes and persona’s that dazzle. Dance moves are very modern and tell the tale with excitement and thrills.

Targeted toward females, it makes a perfect film for a sleep over or pajama party crowd. The Disney Channel Original Movie is now on DVD without commercial interruptions and some bonus material that keeps the party going.

The film opens in Auradon with Mal (Dove Cameron) the daughter of Maleficent, who lives in the beautiful mountains and lakes of the hidden island, tells the story. But, it wasn’t her first home as, along with three other children of villains, she’s been banished here. Called VK’s, short for Villain Kids, they decide to look for more VK’s and bring them to the island of Auradon. But each of the kids have to vie for a spot to join Mal, Carlos (Cameron Boyce) the son of Cruella de Vil, Evie (Sofia Carson) the daughter of The Evil Queen from Snow White and Jay (Booboo Stewart) the son of Jafar.

Things are not that easy going and returning to the Isle of the Lost can be dangerous. So begins a story that’s filled with fun, song and dance. You know like High School Musical, but with a scathingly brilliant storyline.

The music is upbeat and modern and tends to be the dominant theme except for a few slower sequences. The soundtrack includes the single “Good to be Bad” performed by Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart, Anna Cathcart and Judah Marie. “Rotten to the Core” is also showcased with Dove Cameron, China Anne McClain, Sofia Carson, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart, Judah Marie, Thomas Doherty, and Sarah Jeffery. Rounding out the energy is the number “Break This Down” performed by Dove Cameron & Sofia Carson & For TeensBooboo Stewart & Cameron Boyce & China Anne McClain & Mitchell Hope & Thomas Doherty & Dylan Playfair & Sarah Jeffery & Jadah Marie & Brenna D’Amico & Zachary Gibson”

BONUS EXTRAS:
“Under the Sea: A ‘Descendants’ Short Story”
“Blooper Reel”
“Deleted Scenes”
“Trailer” Maleficent Mistress of Evil

The film is rated TV-G and except for a few close encounters that include sword fights, it’s all good family fare.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good teen triumph filled with music and dance. (For Teens 4 out of 5 stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Cameron Boyce, Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Steward Jay, China Anne McClain, Thomas Doherty, Mitchell Hope, Cheyenne Jackson, Sarah Jeffery, Anna Cathcart, Dylan Playfair, Jadah Marie, Brenna D’Amico, Jamal Sims, Jedidiah Goodacre, Keegan Connor Tracy, Dan Payne, Zachary Gibson
Director: Kenny Ortega
MPAA Rating:TV-G
Genre: Adventure, Family, Musical
Running Time: 1 hr. 46 min.
Video Release Date: August 6, 2019
Language: English (changeable to Spanish or French)
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen 16×9, Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Released on: DVD