The Princess Diaries, the review

I can still remember the first time my family and I sat down to watch The Princess Diaries, starring Anne Hathaway. We weren't sure what to expect but we were all big fans of Julie Andrews and couldn't wait to see how she came across as queen, let alone a long lost grandmother reuniting with her grandchild for the very first time.

What surprised us most, however, was how well Anne played Mia Thermopolis, the geeky, uncoordinated, teenage girl. She had us laughing in our seats until our sides hurt.

So naturally, when I was asked to review the film, I couldn't agree quick enough. But I must admit that I wasn't sure how much I, or my daughter, would enjoy the film so many years later.

I wondered if it would appear outdated, if it would no longer be funny, if it would even hold our interest considering the fact that we remembered the plot down to a tee.

Happily, I can say that it's still has funny as the day we first watched it, and the storyline is still just as charming. And seeing Anne's "tower" just made my daughter want one of her own.

You should note, however, that back in 2001 the film was ridiculed by some critics for being stereotypical, for having an idiotic plot, for oversimplifying a grave situation, and for so many other little annoyances, like bad dialogue.



I didn't understand their criticism then, and I don't understand it now.

This film wasn't created to be a literary masterpiece, and it wasn't created with adults in mind. It was created for children, children who love silliness, who love dreaming the impossible into reality, who long to live out their fantasies; even if it's simply becoming princesses and have a little fun with the idea in the process.

In The Princess Diaries, Mia Thermopolis is a geeky teenage girl who is often ridiculed because of her looks, and her inability to speak in public without throwing up. She grows up with an unconventional mother, who never tells her that she is the rightful heir to a throne. Then one day, two months after her father's tragic death, her grandmother appears to inform her that not only is she the rightful heir to the throne, but if she doesn't accept her position the country will fall into the wrong hands, and chaos would pursue.

At first, Mia is angry about the omission of truth, but agrees to go through "royalty school" while she figures out if she wants to relinquish her thrown, or move to a country nobody has ever heard of before. In the meantime, Mia's grandmother, Queen of Genovia, begins a charming little romance the head of security.

In The Princess Diaries 2, The Royal Engagement, Mia travels to Genovia after her high school graduation to rule the country. There's just one problem, distant relatives want the crown so bad that they are forcing Mia to live by an archaic rule that states no princess can become queen unless she marries. At first, she agrees to become engaged to a detestable Duke but soon finds her backbone and fights the archaic law.

If you're looking for a quirky feel-good movie for your daughters, this is a film you don't want to miss.

Order The Princess Diaries combo pack on Blu-Ray today!

Disclosure: Reviewer was given a complimentary copy to review.

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