Descendants: The Royal Wedding Animation Explained

The Descendants franchise by Disney Channel, which debuted in 2015, is one of the channel's biggest franchises. The animated special Descendants: The Royal Wedding was created as a continuation of the story and a bridge to future projects and instalments. The special features the wedding of Maleficent's daughter, Mal, and King Ben, with the original cast returning to reprise their roles. The animation style is hand-drawn, reminiscent of classic Disney. The special also serves as a send-off for Cruella de Vil's son, Carlos, played by the late Cameron Boyce, with the storyline addressing his absence and the telecast honouring his memory.

The animation quality was poor

The animation quality of "Descendants: The Royal Wedding" was poor, with some viewers describing it as sub-par and lackluster. The limited animation resulted in choppy movements, giving the impression of a motion comic rather than a fluid animated special. The jerky, lo-fi effects fell short of viewers' expectations, with some comparing it unfavourably to old-school Scooby-Doo shows from the 1970s. The disconnect between the high-quality voice acting and the subpar visuals was jarring for some parents.

The animation quality was particularly disappointing given that the special was produced by Disney, a company known for its high-quality animation. The limited resources or quick turnaround time may have contributed to the lacklustre animation. The previous instalment in the franchise, "Descendants 3", had been announced as the end of the film series, so some viewers may have expected a higher-quality conclusion to the story.

The poor animation took away from the overall enjoyment of the special for some fans. While the voice acting and script were well-received, the visual experience fell short, leaving a dissonant impression. The animation quality detracted from the celebratory nature of the finale and made it challenging for viewers to fully immerse themselves in the story.

The subpar animation may have been a result of time or budget constraints, but it ultimately impacted the overall quality of the production. The franchise's young fans, who are accustomed to smooth and vibrant animations, may have been particularly disappointed by the choppy and limited animation.

It was a half-hour TV special

"Descendants: The Royal Wedding" is a half-hour TV special that premiered on Disney Channel on August 13, 2021, as a follow-up to the Descendants film series. The animated special brings viewers back to the United States of Auradon for the wedding of Mal and King Ben, the power couple of Auradon.

The half-hour runtime of "Descendants: The Royal Wedding" is a significant departure from the typical feature-length runtime of the previous Descendants films. This shorter format allowed the special to air on television as a standalone event, rather than a theatrical release.

The decision to produce "Descendants: The Royal Wedding" as a half-hour TV special may have been influenced by several factors. Firstly, the Descendants franchise had already concluded with "Descendants 3" in 2019, and the wedding special served as a way to provide fans with additional content and closure. Secondly, the special focuses on a specific event, the royal wedding, which naturally lends itself to a shorter format. The half-hour runtime allowed for a concise and focused narrative, showcasing the wedding preparations, the ceremony, and the subsequent celebration or challenges.

The half-hour format also aligns with the typical length of television episodes, making it suitable for broadcast on television channels like Disney Channel. This format enabled the special to reach a wider audience, particularly younger viewers who are familiar with the Descendants franchise.

Despite the shorter runtime, "Descendants: The Royal Wedding" managed to include many elements that fans of the franchise have come to expect, including musical numbers, fantasy elements, and appearances from beloved characters. The special also addressed the absence of Carlos, played by the late Cameron Boyce, honouring his memory and acknowledging his character's absence.

It aired on Disney Channel on August 13, 2021

On August 13, 2021, Disney Channel aired "Descendants: The Royal Wedding", an animated TV special based on the "Descendants" franchise. It is a continuation of the story from "Descendants 3", which was released in 2019, and sets the stage for the next adventure in the franchise. The special focuses on the wedding of Mal and Ben, the power couple of Auradon, and their friends' efforts to ensure a magical celebration.

The voice cast of the original films returned for the special, including Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, and Mitchell Hope. The notable exception was Kristen Chenoweth, who had not returned to the franchise since the first film. The special also honoured the memory of Cameron Boyce, who played Carlos, and acknowledged his absence, though it was brief and did not explain his absence.

"Descendants: The Royal Wedding" received criticism for its poor animation quality, which was described as "sub-par" and "choppy". Despite this, the special scored 0.65 million viewers and featured musical numbers and wedding-themed events. It also included diverse representations of characters with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, though the leads were White.

The special ended with a tease for the next instalment in the franchise, "Descendants: The Rise of Red", which was later confirmed to feature a new cast.

It is part of the Descendants franchise

Descendants: The Royal Wedding is a special animated installment of the Descendants franchise. It is a continuation of the story of the power couple of Auradon, Mal and Ben, as they prepare for their wedding. The special premiered on Disney Channel on August 13, 2021, and brought back the original cast in voice roles.

The story of the animated special takes place right after the events of Descendants 3, with Mal and Ben's wedding being threatened by Mal's father, Hades. The special also acknowledges the death of Carlos De Vil, played by Cameron Boyce, and honours Boyce's memory.

Descendants: The Royal Wedding is meant to be a celebratory finale to the story of Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos, and Ben. It also hints at a new chapter in the franchise, with a tease of what's to come at the end of the special. The story dives into a rabbit hole, alluding to the world of Wonderland, which was introduced in Descendants: The Rise of Red.

The animated special received mixed reviews, with praise for the voice acting and short script but criticism for the poor animation quality. Despite this, the special scored 0.65 million viewers, indicating the continued popularity of the Descendants franchise.

The plot revolves around Mal and Ben's wedding

The plot of "Descendants: The Royal Wedding" revolves around the wedding of Mal and Ben, the power couple of Auradon. The story begins with Mal getting ready for her wedding, with Evie as her dressmaker, Dizzy doing her hair, and Audrey as her wedding planner. Ben arrives, but the others try to prevent him from seeing Mal due to superstition. However, Ben reveals that he has brought Maleficent with him, and Mal shares that her father, Hades, will also be attending the wedding.

As the preparations continue, Jay welcomes the guests, including Uma. When Hades arrives, his presence causes concern among the attendees. Despite the initial challenges, the wedding ceremony proceeds, but an accident causes the venue to catch fire, threatening to ruin the special day. Mal and her friends, with the help of Uma, set out to find Hades, who flees the scene. Ben also goes after Hades, understanding how much the wedding means to Mal.

They eventually find Hades in his lair, and harmony is restored as he explains that the chaos was a misunderstanding caused by Maleficent. Mal and Ben decide to hold the wedding ceremony right there in Hades' lair, surrounded by their loved ones. The plot of "Descendants: The Royal Wedding" focuses on the couple's journey to overcome obstacles and celebrate their love with their friends and family.

The animated special pays tribute to the late Cameron Boyce, who portrayed Carlos, by acknowledging his absence in the story. The special also teases future installments in the "Descendants" franchise, ending with a glimpse of white roses dripping with red paint and an open rabbit hole.

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