The School for Good and Evil: A review

When I first saw the trailer for this film a few weeks ago I thought oh, that sounds like such a Harry Potter rip-off. 

I wasn't too sure about it as I doubt anyone trying to redo a Harry Potter would be successful at it. Even the stories set in the Wizarding World after Harry Potter have been somewhat disappointing. I knew I would watch this film though as I am a lover of fantasy. 

After getting to watch the film, I feel it is a Once Upon A Time meets Harry Potter-ish. 

The film follows the story of two recluse friends who bond over their perceived eccentricities. Many in their village of Galvadon have secluded them and taunt them with witch allegations to a point of even sending threats. 

The girls use their shared experiences to bond and frequent the local library to read books as a coping mechanism. 

One of the girls Sophia who lives with her stepmother and father after the death of her mother greatly desires to leave their little village for more exciting experiences. She even plans to run away. 

Upon reading a fairy tale written by the School for Good and Evil, she dreams to escape to it and writes a letter placing it on the wishing tree. 

This act leads to a spiral of events that result in her and her best friend Agatha being dragged and dropped off in the School for Good and Evil where the tale continues to unravel. 

The plot of the film is tantalising always keeping the viewer on their toes as they anticipate to see what will happen next. 

This film is not for one second boring. 

However, as engaging as the plot is, the storytelling is weak as the plot feels rushed. There are too many events happening one after another which leaves little room for the special moments to marinate in the mind of the viewer. Also, the relationships especially in the middle of the plot are not very well explored which does not allow the viewer to be invested in them enough to understand, support or oppose the motivations of the characters. 

For example, when one of the likeable characters is supposedly dead, you don't feel strong emotion as a viewer. The same when another is redeemed. 

Encountering the villain doesn't leave one with strong emotions either. This could be because his motivations are not fully explored due to weak storytelling and a rushed plot. 

I imagine the plot feels rushed because the team behind the film crammed a book series into a single movie. I feel it would have been better had they turned it into a ten-episode season or a movie with two sequels. 

The acting of some supporting characters is weak too, which could have come as a result of poor direction. Like in one instance when a character is expressing urgency, you don't feel it as the viewer. 

The performance of the major character is stellar in many instances though. 

The cinematography in the film is top notch together with make-up, and the special effects blowing you away. It leaves you wanting to visit this magical place to experience its creatures, castles and floating stairs. 

Many of the costumes in the film may have been weak and cliché. Not many are memorable. But still a great sight for a fairy tale or any lover of fantasy. 

The diversity and contrast in the film are very welcoming visually and symbolically. Here the team behind the film play around with what you would expect bringing you the exact opposite. 

You would expect the students in the School for Good to not have any vices but they do. The same applies to those placed in the School for Evil. Even the fairies are kinda mean. This aspect was very well done in the film. 

The overall story and message of the film is nothing new as the film picks tropes and tailors them for their purpose. You won't leave the film feeling like you had a new experience. Rather, you will feel as having heard an old tale retold anew. 

The film tells stories about magic, but it doesn't leave you feeling the magic. That's its major flaw. 

The cliffhanger does leave you wanting more I should add. I would watch a sequel. 

Even with all its weaknesses, the movie is very entertaining though and I recommend you give it a watch. 

Have you watched it? What's your opinion on it?