The School for Good and Evil is based on Novel Franchise of the same name. The novel has had 5 sequels till date, so it must be good. The film seems like an undercooked dish, where even if the ingredients are good, you will not like what comes to your plate.
The film has more bad than good. Still, I will list out the good first. The concept of the movie is good. It is a twist on classic fairytale world. The plot of the movie is also good. However, the way the plot or story is presented on screen is bad.
The first Harry Potter film is a good example of how to make such movies. The world building in this film is lacking. The entire world of this movie consists of a village Gavaldon and the titular school. So, the setting of this film seems shallow. In Harry Potter films, though it is mostly set in Hogwarts School, action also takes place in Privet Drive, Zoo, London, Diagon Alley, King's Cross Station and Hogwarts Express. Hogwarts itself is a complex setting, shown through shifting stairs, out of bound 3rd floor, Hagrid's Hut, Forbidden Forest and even Dumbledore's Office. See the difference!
The characters in this film are not developed well, except for Protagonists and Friends Agatha and Sophie. Why does Sophie want to become a princess? Because of her late mother! The motivation does not have sufficient background, at least in this film. The heroine duo, instead of being surprised on finding the school, accept it's existence as a matter of fact just because the book store owner told them so! One could see the plot twist at the end coming from a distance.
The central mystery of this film also disappoints. Friendship between the two protagonists is shoved down our throat like we have to accept it.
Honestly and in conclusion, the story and concept is good, the acting is okay and direction is okay. The thing which lets us down is the screenplay, the way a story is transformed to movie scenes.
The film has more bad than good. Still, I will list out the good first. The concept of the movie is good. It is a twist on classic fairytale world. The plot of the movie is also good. However, the way the plot or story is presented on screen is bad.
The first Harry Potter film is a good example of how to make such movies. The world building in this film is lacking. The entire world of this movie consists of a village Gavaldon and the titular school. So, the setting of this film seems shallow. In Harry Potter films, though it is mostly set in Hogwarts School, action also takes place in Privet Drive, Zoo, London, Diagon Alley, King's Cross Station and Hogwarts Express. Hogwarts itself is a complex setting, shown through shifting stairs, out of bound 3rd floor, Hagrid's Hut, Forbidden Forest and even Dumbledore's Office. See the difference!
The characters in this film are not developed well, except for Protagonists and Friends Agatha and Sophie. Why does Sophie want to become a princess? Because of her late mother! The motivation does not have sufficient background, at least in this film. The heroine duo, instead of being surprised on finding the school, accept it's existence as a matter of fact just because the book store owner told them so! One could see the plot twist at the end coming from a distance.
The central mystery of this film also disappoints. Friendship between the two protagonists is shoved down our throat like we have to accept it.
Honestly and in conclusion, the story and concept is good, the acting is okay and direction is okay. The thing which lets us down is the screenplay, the way a story is transformed to movie scenes.