“CONFUSING, GREY PORTRAYAL OF GOOD AND EVIL”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED is enjoyable. Like previous DESCENDANTS movies, it has positive themes of good overcoming evil and giving people second chances. However, it has countless references to classic fairy tales. So, many scenes include fantasy magic like making objects fly with the flick of a wand or baking cupcakes with magic ingredients. Also, the movie’s message about good and evil grows unclear when some characters do evil to achieve good. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children.
CONTENT:
Light moral, redemptive worldview about good overcoming evil and a general message about giving the villains a second chance, but this is marred by some pagan, occult elements such as a character’s willingness to do bad in order to achieve a good outcome, and fairytale magic, witches, wands, and magic;
One use of “heck” and one light profanity about God;
Some villains threaten other characters with beheading and banishment, there is some light action violence such as sword fights and chase sequences, and one character believes her mother was killed;
No sex;
No nudity;
No alcohol use;
No smoking or drugs; and,
Some characters revel in their rebellious ways, such as bullying other characters and taking joy in it.
MORE DETAIL:
DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED on Disney+ is the newest installment in Disney’s popular fairytale-inspired musical franchise, DESCENDANTS. Prince Ben, the son of Belle and the transformed Beast, invites the children of fairy tale villains to attend a prep school in the magical kingdom of Auradon with children of fairy tale heroes and heroines.
THE RISE OF RED begins as Uma, the daughter of Ursula, the villainess of THE LITTLE MERMAID, is left in charge of the school and decides to make a gesture of peace to the Queen of Hearts, who lives in a secluded, magical land called Wonderland. Uma invites Red, the Queen’s daughter, in the hopes of further uniting the magical kingdoms. Red is filled with joy at the thought of leaving Wonderland, and better yet, being free from her mother’s tyranny.
To Red’s surprise, her mother accepts the invitation. However, at the school’s start-of-term ceremonies, the Queen of Hearts uses magic to start a coup in Auradon. Although Red tries to stop her mother, she’s no match for the Queen’s magic.
Red and Chloe, Cinderella’s daughter, use the White Rabbit’s pocket watch to travel back in time to stop red’s mother. The two girls soon realize that they’ve gone so far back in time that both of their mothers are their age. Both are attending Merlin Academy, the name by which Auradon Prep was previously known.
Red and Chloe must navigate history and be careful not to alter anything that would put the future of Auradon, and their lives, in danger.
Similar to previous DESCENDANTS movies, THE RISE OF RED has positive themes of good conquering evil and the possible redemption for the fairytale villains. However, these positive elements are somewhat marred by characters who are willing to do evil things in the name of good. Moreover, several characters are shown taking great joy in their rebellious actions.
THE RISE OF RED has countless references to classic fairy tales. So, it has many scenes with fantasy fairy tale magic like making objects fly with the flick of a wand or baking cupcakes with magic ingredients. DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED also struggles to show a clear picture of good versus evil. MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children.