Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest is a 2023 animated streaming television special based on both the Lego Disney toyline and Disney Princess franchise. It is a crossover between several characters featured in films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, and the first Lego special based on the franchise. In the special, five princesses have been transported to a mysterious Castle and must stop Gaston from taking over their individual kingdoms. The special was released on Disney+ on August 18, 2023.

Plot

Gaston has entrapped King Triton in a fish tank and tries to possess his trident to make him ruler of land and oceans. Triton proposes a challenge securing him his freedom, to which Gaston asks who would challenge him. The Magic Mirror summons Snow White, Ariel, Tiana, Rapunzel, and Moana, for they are the only ones that could outbest him. Ariel, shocked at the sight of her father demands his release and agrees to partake in Gaston's challenge, and the rest of the princesses follow suit. Gaston breaks the fish tank so that Triton slowly loses water. The princesses split up. Ariel and Moana set off to find the Magic Carpet while Snow White, Tiana and Rapunzel head to the Dark Forest to find the Sundrop Flower. Gaston brews a storm which is overpowered by Ariel and Moana's connections to the ocean and the two of them come across a pirate ship planning to steal the Magic Carpet. The other three princesses are chased by wolves that they befriend through Snow White's ability to talk to animals. Ariel and Moana are confronted by the pirate ship's captain, Iago, who attempts to destroy them. His attempt is defeated by Moana, and the two of them get away on the Magic Carpet and return to the Castle. The five reunite and head for the final challenge where they must navigate a maze. The maze feeds off the princesses' anxieties and doubt, and Ariel uses her singing to guide everyone out. Gaston attempts to use the challenge as a way of killing the princesses through Dragon Maleficent, but the princesses notice that her wing is damaged and help restore it. This leads to Maleficent siding with the princesses instead and she defeats Gaston while the princesses head back. The princesses return to the Castle, devastated by the sight of a dehydrated Triton. Ariel, now confident through her new friends, grabs the trident and the five send him back to the ocean. The princesses question the logistics of the Castle, to which Magic Mirror reveals that the Castle is also made for them. The princesses move into the Castle and each get their own rooms based on their respective identities.

Voice cast

Jodi Benson as Ariel, a mermaid princess from Atlantica. Auli'i Cravalho as Moana, a princess from the island of Motonui. Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, the princess of the kingdom of Corona. Anika Noni Rose as Tiana, the princess of Maldonia. Katie Von Till as Snow White. Von Till has voiced the character in all media since 2011, with the exception of Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) and Once Upon A Studio (2023). Richard White as Gaston, the main antagonist of the special. White reprises his role for the first time since Beauty and the Beast (1991) and House of Mouse (2001–03). Jim Cummings as King Triton, Ariel's father. Cummings reprises his role for the first time since The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008), and has voiced the character since the death of original actor Kenneth Mars. Corey Burton as the Magic Mirror Barrett Leddy as Iago. This marks the first time someone other than Gilbert Gottfried has voiced the character following his death in 2022. Leddy had previously impersonated Gottfried on The Howard Stern Show in 2014. Jeff Bennett as Mr. Smee Additional cast members include Roland Rubio, who voiced Flower from Bambi (1942), and Jo Anne Worley, who reprises her role as the Wardrobe from Beauty and the Beast (1991).

Release

Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest was revealed on August 2, 2023 as part of a series of month long celebrations of "nearly a century of Disney Princess". A trailer was released on August 8 where it was confirmed that many of the original voices of the characters would reprise their roles.

Reception

Farid-ul-Haq of The Geekiary called the special "an enjoyable little treat for Disney fans", praising some elements such as the easter eggs and the actors' reprisals. Luke Manning of Laughing Place said: "Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest obviously will not live up to any of the movies featured within, but it is a fun diversion for the Princess fan young or young at heart. With trademark Lego humor and fun animation added, it's a recommended sleepy afternoon viewing".

References