Disney’s live-action movies excel when it comes to lighthearted teenage dramas and musicals, which is why it was the best medium for the continuation of their most popular IPs, the lore of the princesses. Unlike the live-action adaptations of the princess movies, the Descendants franchise, which focuses on the adventures of the children of classic Disney princess characters, has been received quite positively. However, the focus remains primarily on the children of the villainous characters, as the key running motif in the three movies released so far is to highlight the familiar resolution that children shouldn’t be burdened with the sins of their parents; they have their own identity, which shouldn’t be generalized as such. While the campy narratives, funky characterization, and out-of-date humor might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the strong social messages conveyed by each of the movies have a lasting impact on children and adults alike. Now that the fourth entry of the franchise, Descendants: The Rise of Red, is about to release, let us jog our memories a bit by revisiting the previous three ventures.
Spoilers Ahead
The World of the United States of Auradon
The fantastical worlds of each of the Disney princesses converge to form the United States of Auradon, where the events of the Descendants movies take place. Governed by Belle and Beast, who have married and become king and queen of the land, Auradon has no place for the villainous characters, and Beast has trapped them on the Isle of the Lost, a slum island where magic is negated with a barrier to keep the villainous characters from escaping.
Villain Kids Thwart Maleficent’s Plans
The first Descendants movie revolves mostly around Ben, son of Belle and Beast, and Mal, daughter of Maleficent, and these two young leads turn out to be the overarching protagonists of the series as well. Before his coronation as Auradon’s king, Ben decides to give four villain kids a chance at a better life, and against his father’s wishes, he brings them to Auradon. Aladdin villain Jafar’s son Jay, Snow White antagonist Evil Queen’s daughter Evie, Carlos, the son of Cruella de Vil, and Maleficent’s daughter Mal are the four chosen candidates. Before their departure, Maleficent instructs the quartet to steal the Fairy Godmother’s magical wand in order to lift the barrier over the Isle of the Lost, which will allow her to take complete control over Auradon. However, at the school of Auradon, the four villain kids easily mingle with the others and find acceptance among them as well. Mal tries to obtain the Fairy Godmother’s wand, but as her efforts turn into failure, she opts for a different method. Using her mother’s spellbook, Mal concocts a love potion to bring Ben closer to her, which will allow her to snatch the wand from the Fairy Godmother during Ben’s coronation. However, as it turns out, Mal herself becomes enamored with Ben, and even after the effect of the potion wears off, Ben continues to love Mal anyway, as he has developed true feelings for her. During the coronation, Mal steals the wand, but Ben manages to appeal to her senses by mentioning that she has the freedom of choice. Mal eventually defies her mother’s wishes, choosing to be good instead. Maleficent appears and tries to take over the land, but she is defeated by Mal and the other three villain kids.
Uma and Her Gang of Villain Kids
Not accustomed to the regal, sophisticated lifestyle at Auradon, Mal feels suffocated as King Ben tries to make her into something she is not by projecting a more acceptable image of her. Mal isn’t able to confide in her friends about the situation either, as they have fit in just fine. Moreover, she has a falling out with Ben regarding her use of magic, and frustrated, Mal returns to her homeland, the Isle of the Lost, only to find Ursula’s daughter, Uma, has taken control over the island along with her crooked crew: Captain Hook’s (Peter Pan) son Harry, and Gil, son of Gaston (Beauty and the Beast). Ben acknowledges his mistakes, along with Mal’s friends, arrives at the Isle of the Lost in her search.
Uma is pursuing the completion of the mission that Mal was destined to fulfill, i.e., lifting the barrier from the Isle of the Lost and gaining the wand of the Fairy Godmother, and in order to do so, she makes Ben fall for her by casting a spell over him. Mal eventually realizes that Ben loves her for who she is, and with a classic kiss of true love, she breaks Uma’s spell over him. During a final conflict, Mal and Uma nearly duke it out in their enhanced mystical forms—until Ben interferes at the right moment and manages to negotiate a truce between the duo.
Audrey’s Revenge
The third movie once again follows the true love motif, as Audrey, Aurora’s daughter (Sleeping Beauty), gets jealous when her ex-boyfriend Ben chooses Mal to become the queen of Auradon. Audrey becomes a version of the evil queen by stealing Maleficent’s scepter and the crown that belonged to queen of Auradon. As Audrey’s magic turns Mal into a frail old lady, the villain kids seek out the only counter-magic that can undo the scepter’s effect: the Ember of Hades. It is revealed that Hades was actually Mal’s father and was severely negligent in his daughter’s upbringing. Mal and Hades reconcile with each other, and Mal manages to convince Uma to stand by her side. Together, they defeat Audrey and restore peace to Auradon, and this time, Mal does something she should have done a long time ago: giving the other residents of the Isle of the Lost a chance to be good by banishing the barrier between them and providing them with the acceptance she and her friends received from Auradon.
