Deep Dive Disney: Wes Reimagines Descendants

Welcome everyone to Deep Dive Disney where today, we’re going to be trying something a little bit different. Instead of simply analyzing a film in our usual format, we’re actually going to take a film that wasn’t all that great to begin with and try and make it better. This experiment has been inspired by one of my favorite YouTube shows, Fanscription. For those unfamiliar, Fanscription takes a popular movie and rewrites it with a few changes to make it more interesting. They’ve done plenty of movies so far including more than a few from Disney. What if Simba was raised by Scar, What if Boo from Monsters Inc. grew up and my personal favorite, What if Jafar had won at the end of Aladdin. I’ll leave a link here if you want to check them out, I highly recommend it. So, what movie am I going to attempt to give the Fanscription treatment? Well, you clicked on the article so I’m assuming you already know. That’s right, we’re going to be taking on the 2015 Disney Channel teen musical, Descendants, and attempting to transform it into something that isn’t a complete wasted opportunity. I mean, this is a movie about the offspring of Disney villains and heroes, meaning we could potentially see a Disney Crossover on the scale of Kingdom Hearts in a feature length film. As a fan of both Disney Villains and crossovers, on paper, this bad boy seemed right up my alley. Unfortunately, what we ended up with was High School musical with a thin Disney Villain coat of paint. Mind you, I am not a film maker or a screenwriter, so I honestly don’t know if I can do better, but I’m going to make an honest to goodness effort anyway. So, borrowing heavily from other, better, Disney crossovers, such as the Disney Heroes Battle Mode mobile game, Serena Valentino’s Disney Villains Novels and more, I hope to craft a version of this tale that takes full advantage of the potential that I feel the original squandered. For those not in the know, let me give you a very brief summary of what the Descendants movies are all about. In a reality where all Disney movies somehow coexist despite drastically different settings and time periods, Belle and Beast have united the various kingdoms into the United States of Auradon and banished the villains to a place called the Isle of the Lost. Years later, everyone from the Disney Universe has kids of their own (it’s best not to think about who fucked who in order for this to happen, it is not a pleasant line of thought). When Ben, the son of Belle and Beast, comes of age and is set to take his father's place as king, his first royal decree is to attempt to make peace with the villains. To that end, Ben arranges for four children from The Isle of the Lost to attend school in Auradon. Those chosen are Evie, the daughter of The Evil Queen, Jay, the son of Jafar, Carlos, the son of Cruella De Vil and our main character, Mal, the daughter of Maleficent, and also Hades but we don't find that out until the sequels. That’s more or less all you need to know. Let’s watch as Wes bites off more than he can chew as he attempts to rewrite Descendants.

We open with some backstory, which is drastically changed from the original but still more or less gets us to the same destination. Legend states that there were once two extremely powerful entities, one of great light and one of great darkness. The two entities each desired to vanquish the other, but realized that with their immense combined power, direct conflict would mean there would not being anything left of the Universe once they were done. So, to settle their differences, the two entities each summoned an army comprised of the greatest heroes and villains from various tales, legends and stories to wage a war of good vs. evil. The battle went on for a very long time with neither side gaining a clear advantage. Eventually, realizing that the fight was pointless, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire. The entities, realizing that their experiment had failed, left their armies to their own devices, though the evil entity vowed that it would one day return. Following that, the two sides formed their own separate kingdoms and agreed to a very uneasy truce. The Beast, or rather, Prince Adam became king of what would be called Auradon, much like in the film, while the villains form The Valley of the Lost, ruled by Maleficent and a council of other Disney Villains. Think something similar to PattyCake Productions’ Villain’s Lair YouTube series. While the other villains occasionally try to stab each other in the back, Maleficent is powerful enough to keep them in line for the most part. Between the two Kingdoms is an area called The Wasteland, a sort of wild no man’s land populated by the most savage creatures of Disney lore such as the hyenas from The Lion King, the wolves from Beauty & The Beast, Mor’Du from Brave, etcetera. Also, some animals can talk in this universe. That might be important later.

The first real change we’ll be making to the story proper is that the film opens with Ben’s coronation and it's during the afterparty that he makes his intent to invite the villains’ kids to attend Auradon prep in the hopes that it will improve relations between the two Kingdoms. It’s shortly after this that we are introduced to our four leads through the song “Rotten to the Core.” Personality wise, the four are more or less unchanged, however, their parents, not so much. One of the biggest criticisms of this film is that the classic Disney villains are made to look like idiots. We’d be doing recasts all around, especially when it comes to Maleficent. Look, I have nothing against Kristen Chenoweth. She’s a fine actress, a great singer and from what I’ve heard, a nice lady, but the character she portrays in this film is so not Maleficent it hurts. If she were playing Mother Gothel, maybe we’d be having a different conversation but her Maleficent comes across more like a dollar store Rita Repulsa. One of the greatest villains, nay, greatest characters ever created for Disney deserves better. What’s called for here is something more like what we had in the Maleficent films. Still maintaining her cold menace and intimidating presence, but with an added sense of maternal instinct that shows that she does love her daughter, even if she's not great at showing it all the time. While there’s no way in hell Disney Channel would have been able to afford Angelina Jolie, they might be able to get their hands on someone comparable to Kristin Bauer who played Maleficent in ABC’s Once Upon a Time. Anywho, like in the original, Maleficent is on board with the kids going to Auradon. However, this time around it’s not Fairy Godmother’s Wand they're after but rather, a MacGuffin called “The Dark Talisman,” an item said to be able to summon the evil entity of old and wipe out the heroes once and for all.

From here, the film more or less plays out the same for a while. Our leads are taken to Auradon Prep, are introduced to Ben and Audrey. Ben is friendly and welcoming while Audrey is a total bitch to everyone, our main characters don’t fit in but eventually find their niche, yadda yadda yadda. However, we will still be making a few minor changes here and there. First of all, the museum that houses the magic wand, or in this case the dark talisman, has WAY better security than just one guard. No, this thing is quite possibly the most dangerous thing in the universe. It’s protected by a moat of lava, magical booby traps and even a tiger, a panther and a lioness, who, while not explicitly stated, fans can recognize as Raja, Bagheera and Nala. Gotta throw some fan service in there where we can. What this means is, stealing the talisman the old fashioned way is a no go and the VK’s are going to need to find a different strategy. In the meantime, they’re going to have to adapt to their surroundings. We’ll talk about where things go for Mal a bit later, but let’s touch on the arcs for the other three before that.

We’ll start with Carlos who’s arc will remain pretty much the same as it was in the original film. He still bonds with Dude the dog despite his mother telling him that dogs are actually vicious man-eating pack animals his whole life. The only difference is that now, Dude is actually a Dalmatian puppy, a descendant of one of the original ninety-nine that his mother kidnapped. This will be something of a recurring theme of the film as we’ll soon see.

Jay’s storyline will also stay more or less the same. He still goes out for the school tourney team and excels as an athlete while learning the value of teamwork. The big change we’ll be making is to the team’s coach. I actually thought it was a missed opportunity to make this guy as generic high school coach character instead of an established Disney character like say, Philoctetes or Li Shang. And since this part of the story is so closely tied into Jay’s character arc, what the hell, let’s say the coach of the team is Aladdin himself. For obvious reasons, Jay is initially hesitant to join the team that’s coached by his father’s mortal enemy, but Aladdin doesn’t treat Jay with any hostility and once he gives tourney a try, he finds he’s actually really good at it. After the first few rounds of tryouts, Aladdin pulls Jay aside giving him a similar pep talk as the coach from the original movie. Aladdin: You got plenty of raw talent, but this is about more than just being the best, you have to learn to work with the team. Jay looks confused at this

Aladdin: You know, a team, where you watch one another’s backs, like what you have with Mal and the others.

Jay: I mean, things are tough in the valley. You gotta find a crew, it's the only way to survive.

Aladdin: Okay, then think of this team like your crew, and think of that field like the streets of the valley.

Jay: What would you know about living on the streets?

Aladdin: Oh, a thing or two. They both laugh Jay: I gotta be honest coach, I wasn’t expecting you to be so… nice to me.

Aladdin: Why? Because of your dad. Sure we have our past, but that’s got nothing to do with you. Heck, you should hear about my old man some time. When we met, he tried to rob my wedding. If he could learn how to be a good dad then maybe there’s hope for anyone, even Jafar.

Aladdin gets up to walk away as Jay is left with a lot to consider. Aladdin turns back to Jay and throws him a uniform.

Aladdin: By the way, welcome to the team

Evie’s arc follows a similar path but gets a little more personal. Once again, instead of dealing with a generic teacher who chastises her for cheating in class, the teacher is actually Snow White herself. Yeah, none of that nonsense where Snow White is a news correspondent for some inexplicable reason, this version of Snow has decided to become a teacher at Auradon prep and takes a much more significant role in the story. I want the scene where they first meet to be really tense. Evie walks into the room and Snow is writing on the chalkboard, her back to Evie. Evie is clearly worried about how Snow might react to her presence. Evie clears her throat, causing Snow to turn around.

Evie: Uh… hi

Snow: Hello, may I help you? Evie: I’m… here for class. Snow: Well then, welcome! Always happy to have a new student.

Snow sees how nervous Evie is Snow: Are you alright? Evie: Do you… know who I am.

Snow approached Evie in a way that seems menacing at first. Snow: Of course I know who you are

Snow pulls Evie close in a warm embrace, catching Evie completely off guard.

Snow: You’re my little sister, and it’s ever so nice to finally meet you.

Evie is dumbfounded. She wasn’t sure what to expect from Snow White but it certainly wasn’t this. Evie can barely even form a response due to being so shocked.

Evie: But… but… My mom, and… and… the Apple, and… the poison and…

Snow White doesn't respond to this. It's clear that this is a painful memory for her, but she also doesn't want to make Evie any more uncomfortable than she already is. Instead, she just puts her arm around Evie in a sisterly manner

Snow: You know, when I learned that I had a sister in the Valley of the Lost, I was so excited. I hope you and I can be friends. Evie is speechless, but clearly likes the idea of having an older sister, a sense of family that her mother was never able to give her.

Evie: Yeah, I think I'd like that.

In this version, it’s Snow who helps Evie realize that she’s smarter than she realizes, that she doesn’t have to act dumb in order to attract a boy and is even the one to introduce her to Doug, the son of Dopey the dwarf and Evie’s love interest for the trilogy. Something I’d like to add to tie Evie, Jay and Carlos’s arcs together would be a musical number, a version of A Whole New World from Aladdin but with new lyrics to reflect their situation. Now the song is all about how this new place is nothing like they expected or what they’re used to. I actually would like to pepper in some classic Disney music along with the original soundtrack whenever I can. Maybe some hardcore Disney fans wouldn’t like that, but there’s no way it could possibly be worse than the be our guest rap. Jesus Christ, Howard Ashman is still rolling his grave after that abomination.

Now on to Mal. Mal’s story hits a lot of the same beats, but we’ll be altering many things as well. First and foremost, Audrey, the daughter of Aurora and Prince Phillip, is a lot more awful to the VKs and Mal in particular in this version. I know that Audrey was pretty awful to begin with, but I really want to drive it home this time around. She’s always going on about how she’s better than our leads because she was “Born of Pure Goodness” while they have “Bad Blood.” Also, the unpleasant encounter with Queen Leah, Audrey’s grandma, will take place much earlier in the film. The key difference here is that Aurora herself is present. While her mother lays into Mal for Maleficent’s crimes, Aurora remains silent and is visibly uncomfortable in Mal’s presence. Because Mal’s “Heroic” counterparts have treated her with hostility, unlike the others who have all made nice with theirs, Mal has an even more difficult time adjusting to her surroundings and is the most gung-ho about finding a way to get the Dark Talisman. From there, Mal’s story hits a lot of the same beats, what with Mal not fitting in until she starts using her magic to style people’s hair, becomes popular with most of the girls at school, save for Audrey, slips Ben a love potion and starts dating him in the hopes of getting what she wants. Where things diverge again is during the picnic by the enchanted lake. This time, it’s set at night, and when Ben goes swimming and doesn’t come up right away, Mal searches for him along the waterline. Suddenly, Mal is jumped by a pack of wolves. Remember, we earlier established that certain individuals of royal or magical blood can talk to animals, so Mal can actually understand what the Wolves are saying.

Wolf 1: The Wastelands will Rise, Our Master just needs one whose blood is truly evil.

Mal: What are you talking about Wolf 2: Blood, Master Needs One with Evil Blood

Wolf 1: Master Needs YOU!

All of this won't really pay off until the sequels, but it's important to remember nonetheless. Anyway, the wolves surround Mal and move in to attack when Ben arrives and fights off the wolves single handedly, having apparently inherited his father’s beast like strength. This scene will mirror the scene in Beauty & The Beast where Beast saves Belle from these same wolves. After the Wolves retreat, ben is a little banged up, but no worse for wear. Mal: That was impressive Ben: I get it from my Dad’s side of the family It is here where Mal reveals that Ben has been under a spell and Ben reveals that he knows and that the spell was broken by the waters of the enchanted lake. Mal can’t believe it, she put him under a spell and this boy still risked his life to save hers. Ben and Mal share an awkward look before they kiss and Mal admits that she’s developed real feelings for him. With their relationship now firmly established, Mal can no longer go through with stealing the Dark Talisman. She contacts her mother using Evie’s magic mirror to tell her she can’t do it.

Maleficent: I should have known you’d be too weak. No matter, if you want something done right, you must do it yourself, and for once, I have an invitation.

Following that exchange we immediately cut to parents day at Auradon Prep. It’s here where the filmmakers can add whatever Disney easter eggs and cameos they like before we get to the main event. Maleficent, Evil Queen Jafar and Cruella are attending the event. They’ve promised to play nice, but Belle and Beast have beefed up security at the school just in case, including some from the nearby museum, meaning that the talisman is not as protected as it normally would be. While no one’s paying attention Maleficent sends Diablo the raven to retrieve the Talisman. Diablo is small enough that he can navigate through the various traps and obstacles without being detected. Naturally there would be a very tense scene where the villains meetup with their heroic counterparts whom their children have bonded with.

Snow White: Mother

Evil Queen: You’ve forgotten your manners little one, you used to bow before your queen

Aladdin: Jafar

Jafar: Street Rat, how is the Princess?

Aladdin doesn’t respond other than to give Jafar a dirty look. Cruella also has a stare down with Dude who growls at her. Maleficent and Aurora say nothing to each other, just share uncomfortable glances. Our leads try to keep the peace, but there’s still a lot of tension in the air. After things calm down a little bit, our heroes have a brief discussion which basically amounts to them being conflicted between siding with their parents and saving their new friends from destruction. As King Ben is giving a speech welcoming the parents to family day, Diablo brings Maleficent the Dark Talisman. The evil fairy laughs as do the other villains as she starts reciting an incantation. The talisman glows with an unnatural black flame. The students, faculty and parents all look on in horror and anyone who tries to attack Maleficent is trapped in an hourglass courtesy of Jafar. As Mal stands by her mother, Ben gives her a whole speech about how she doesn’t have to be a part of this from across the room. This gets through to Mal and she snatches the Talisman out of her mother’s hands.

Maleficent: What are you Doing child! Mal: What I should have done all along. I’m doing the right thing. I’m following my heart. Maleficent looks at Mal and then at Ben and back to Mal

Maleficent: You… love him!? Mal: … Yes… I do

Maleficent: Then you will know what it is to lose everything you love.

An enraged Maleficent takes her Dragon form, planning to burn all of Auradon to the ground if she has to. Mal tries to calm her mother down, but to no avail. It’s actually Audrey of all people who gets Maleficent’s attention Audrey: See, I knew this would happen! Maleficent is evil like the rest of them! Nothing but Bad Blood, even when she’s invited to the party. This seems to get Maleficent’s attention as she takes her humanoid form and approaches Audrey, getting uncomfortably close.

Maleficent: Little girl, what is your name?

Audrey: … Audrey Maleficent: Ah yes, Aurora’s daughter, I might’ve known. Tell me young lady, do you honestly believe that all that transpired between me and your family was over a silly party invitation?

Audrey is too terrified to respond. Maleficent: Allow me to tell you my version of the story, the version that your grandmother no doubt kept hidden from you. An animated visual montage of the events described plays as Maleficent tells her story.

Maleficent: As a young fairy, I was born with green skin and horns. Because of this, I was labeled as inherently evil. I even tried to be good like the insufferable fairies, Flora, Fauna and Merriweather, but I was never given a chance. Everyone just assumed I’d destroy them one day. It wasn’t until my sixteenth birthday that I first discovered my Dragon form. Not yet able to control my new powers, I burned the fairy academy to the ground. It didn’t matter that it was an accident, after that, I knew that they’d never see me as anything other than evil, so that’s what I became, I was, THE MISTRESS OF ALL EVIL, and the very mention of my name struck terror into the hearts of all who heard it uttered! But I was lonely. I wanted a child, a babe to call my own. Using an ancient spell, I took all that was ever good within me, and removed it to form a child, a baby girl. And I named her… Aurora.

The entire crowd gasps as Audrey and Mal look stupefied by this revelation. Aurora herself looks embarrassed but notably not surprised, implying that she knew all along. Maleficent: Yes, that princess… your Sleeping Beauty, is a part of me. I loved my daughter, but with all that was once good in me now within her, I knew shortly after she was born, that she would not be safe with me, so, against my better judgement, I entrusted the good fairies to find her a loving home. But still, I feared the worst. I feared that my daughter may one day become like me. That’s is why I cursed her to die on her sixteenth birthday, I feared she would inherit my destructive powers. A decision I regret to this day. I lost everything... and I was forever branded, a villain By the way, if any of this sounds familiar, it’s actually a slightly altered version of the events of Maleficent’s origin story in Serena Valentino’s Disney Villains novels. Check them out if you get a chance, they’re actually kind of a fun read. Anywho, having lost the will to fight after sharing that clearly emotional story, Maleficent starts to walk away, most of the crowd still stunned from this revelation. Suddenly, Aurora emerges from the crowd and delivers her first line of the film.

Aurora: I forgive you… Maleficent: What? Aurora: All you’ve done, I forgive you… mother.

Maleficent is silent for a what feels like a long time. Still keeping her back to the audience, she begins to speak.

Maleficent: I am who I am… but that does not mean my daughter…

Maleficent turns to Mal, a single tear in her eye.

Maleficent: …My daughters… have to be. A long time ago, I forgot that. Maleficent turns to Aurora Maleficent: I’m sorry I wasn’t the mother to you I should’ve been.

Maleficent turns to Mal

Maleficent: And you Mal, are you happy here? Mal: Yeah Mom, happier than I’ve been in a long time.

Maleficent looks at Ben

Maleficent: And you, do you love her too

Ben: Of course

Maleficent: Then keep her safe… because I’ll be watching

Maleficent then turns to Audrey Maleficent: Guess you have some Bad Blood of your own now, Granddaughter

Audrey looks like she’s about to be sick as Mal laughs. After this, the other villains each bid goodbye to their children and have a slightly less antagonistic exchange with their heroic counterpart, before they all teleport away and the film ends in Descendants fashion with a big old dance party. A post credits scene would show the dance party being shown on television in what looks like a modernized version of Gaston’s Tavern from Beauty & the Beast. A Tentacle smashes the TV as a hook angrily slams down on the bar table, setting up Uma, Harry & Gil for the next movie.

And that’s my take on how to make Descendants a better movie. Do I think it’s perfect, God no, I don’t even know if it’s that good, but I'd like to think it’s an improvement over the original. We will be covering the other two films in this manner eventually, but please, let me know what you think of this effort. Is there anything you would have done differently? Are there any other Disney films you’d like my take on? All in good time, but for now, it’s been a while since we’ve covered any films in my Big Five, the Disney films that I love most. Well, I have a treat for you guys because we’re about to cover two in a row, starting next time with Zootopia.