The School for Good and Evil

Today was the first time I had ever heard of The School for Good and Evil. I did not even know that the movie was based on a book series of the same name. I was asked if I like Harry Potter, and well, most people do, so I said I would check it out. I actually watched the movie twice and that is just not something that I usually do. Then I did something else I don’t usually do, I looked at some of the reviews on the movie and I am not sure if these were people that cannot enjoy a book separate from the movie or if we were watching two different movies, but I liked it. I liked it enough to watch it twice in the same day.

The School for Good and Evil is the story of what happens when people from the outside are admitted to a school dedicated to the education of the good and the evil kids of the story book characters that we all know and love. This movie gave me a Descendants (2015) vibe which is a Disney TV movie about the kids of the story book characters just less singing and dancing. Of course, this movie also has Harry Potter (2001) vibes because there are non-storybook born people, called readers, admitted to the school, the movie takes place at a magical school, and there is magic.

The School for Good and Evil has a very impressive cast including Cate Blanchett as the Storian, a quill that is writing the story as it happens and also narrates the movie which is acknowledged at one point by one of the characters. Charlize Theron plays Lady Lesso, the dean of the School for Evil. I almost did not recognize her at first and it was all in the hair. Kerry Washington plays Professor Dovey, the dean of the School for Good. Laurence Fishburne is the school master who enforces the rules and upholds what the Storian has written. Sofia Wylie is Agatha, one of the readers that is admitted to the school which she swears is a huge mistake. Sophia Anne Caruso as Sophie, the other reader that is admitted to the school and she swears that she was dropped into the wrong school. Kit Young plays Rafal/Rhian which are twin brothers, the founders of the school, the balance of good and evil, and the younger version of Laurence Fishburne’s character.

Kerry Washington as Professor Dovey and Charlize Theron as Lady Lesso

Sofia Wylie as Agatha and Sophia Anne Caruso as Sophie

Laurence Fishburne as School Master

The story focuses on Agatha and Sophie who are plucked from their home of Gavaldon and seems to mirror that story of the two deans, Lady Lesso and Professor Dovey. Agatha and Sophie are the best of friends that are placed on opposite sides of the spectrum. Agatha did not want to be there but the School Master, Storian, and Professor Dovey keep insisting that she is right where she needs to be and proceeds to teach her how to be a “good” person. Sophie swears she is supposed to be a princess and that she should not be on the evil side but the School Master, Storian, and Lady Lesso insist that she is the right place and if she really thinks she should be on the side of good then she has to get the one thing evil can never have, a kiss from a true love.

Sophia Anne Caruso as Sophia and Sofia Wylie as Agatha

The acting was great, the locations and sets were very well done, and the soundtrack was fantastic. The story was well-written and would be great watch for anyone that likes Harry Potter or the Descendants. As an adult with kids the age this movie is really geared towards, I think I enjoyed it more than either of them would but that really is just a matter of personal preference. The School for Good and Evil is a really fun movie with a great cast and should be given a chance, even if you have read the books.