Purely Joyful Movie!

A Disappointing Continuation

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Watched The Princess Diaries 2:Royal Engagment With Starring The Lovely Anne Hathaway(Nicolas Nickleby) as Mia Thermopolis,Julie Andrews(Mary Poppins ) as Clarisse Renaldi,Hector Elizondo(Pretty Woman) as Joe, John Rhys-Davies(Lord Of The Rings) as Mabrey , Heather Matarazzo(Welcome To The Dollhouse) as Lilly Moscovitz ,Chris Pine(ER) as Nicolas Devereaux ,Callum Blum(Young Blades) as Andrew Jacoby The Sequel was decent but it was interesting to see Mia as a Princess in Training for The Throne of Genovia also it was interesting to see some plot threads from the first film to connect it was fun but had cheesy moments also great debut from Chris Pine as Nicolas also John Rhys-Davies was a hilarious but Kniving villain , Amazing Costumes Design By Gary Jones(The Talented Mr.Ripley), Cinematography By Charles Minskey(Raising Helen),Musical Score By John Debney(Elf) and Direction By Garry Marshall(The Princess Diaries ) A Fun But Cheesy Sequel 7/10

To be honest, movies at Christmas this year have been pretty poor. The few films I wanted to catch and haven't seen before, I've missed because I've either been shopping or sleeping! Whether it was out of sheer desperation or simply a lack of anything else on, I somehow watched this typically saccharine Disney chick-flick with an increasing sense of disbelief. I confess, I've not watched the first film but if this is representative then my ignorance will remain intact. But please bear in mind that this is a film for young girls and I am neither.To recap, Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) was a slightly awkward teenage high school student who is whisked away to the tiny European nation of Genovia by Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews) who informs her that she is the heir to her throne. With her best friend Lilly Moscovitz (Heather Matarazzo) in tow, she now lives full-time in Genovia but her cosy princess lifestyle is about to be disrupted. Informed that she must marry before taking the throne, she finds herself being suited to an English duke (Callum Blue) - much to the chagrin of the villainous Viscount Mabrey (John Rhys-Davies) and his son (Chris Pine), who is quite smitten with Mia himself.I know that most viewers of this film will find it an amusing, harmless comedy about a fish out of water and to be frank, there are some positives. Hathaway's performance is only topped by Andrews as the Queen but most other actors are either having fun (Raven-Symoné) or paying the bills (Hector Elizondo). The comedy might not be top-drawer but enough to raise a faint smirk - the archery scene in particular works quite well. But this film is as bright, cheery and fake as an air hostess' smile and it's actually quite amusing to see what an American's idea of Europe is, via Genovia and its customs. My favourite is the bitchy Scottish reporter (Kim Thomson) decked head-to-toe in tartan in case there was any doubt as to her ancestry - you won't know from her accent! There is some mild enjoyment to be had assuming you aren't the target audience and if you are then this will be right up your street regardless of what I write here.In truth, there is only one reason why anyone would watch this film and that is to see Julie Andrews singing again which is cause for celebration. But personally, that is the only reason I would watch this again. It's not especially funny, intelligent, well acted, surprising or even entertaining but like I keep saying, this movie isn't meant for me. It simply struck me as being a light, throwaway chick flick and that is exactly what this is. If that's what you want then this will fit the bill just fine. As for me, I guess I'll just keep flicking through the channels or start watching those DVDs I got for Christmas...

I decided to try the first one from Disney as I had heard a relative amount about it, and then I saw there was a sequel with a lower rating, so I tried that too, from director Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman). Basically Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) has settled into her new life as Princess of Genovia, living in the kingdom with her grandmother Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Dame Julie Andrews). It is a tradition that the Princess should marry in order to take that crown and lead the country, this is what the mean Viscount Mabrey (John Rhys-Davies). He is sure he can get Mia to fall in love with and marry his nephew Nicholas Devereaux (Chris Pine), even when she is already engaged to boring but good-looking Andrew Jacoby (Callum Blue). Thirty days is the amount of time Mia has to decide what to do, and when she does initially decide to marry Callum, on the day, she may have second thoughts. In the end, with the Queen's permission, and the support of others in the crowd, Mia decides not to marry, and this will be that will be the future for any Princess. Also starring Hector Elizondo as Joe, Heather Matarazzo as Lilly Moscovitz Kathleen Marshall as Charlotte Kutaway, Tom Poston as Lord Palimore and The Nutty Professor's Larry Miller as Paolo. Hathaway is still reasonably charming and amusing in parts, and Andrews is still a dignified and regal support, it's just what they've been made to do that's the problem. The film is too slow and long to be the same sort of comedy as the predecessor, and the story is flat and uninteresting to care about, I dozed off three times during it, a silly sequel. Adequate!

I just recently viewed The Princess Diaries and over all liked it pretty much, so I figured I would see the sequel. I rented it yesterday and watched it this morning and it seemed to me like it was the same plot as before only with a couple different elements. The film also felt very rushed in some aspects, some of the plots or characters that took place seemed to come and go. Although I'm still not sure since I haven't read the books, but the movie itself was just predictable and a bit too silly at times, it just seemed like it could insult the audience it was aimed at.Mia has graduated college and is off to Genovia to become queen and her grandmother, Clarrise is about to give up her title. But Genovia law is that before Mia is to become queen she must marry someone. She is falling for a young man, Nicolas, but he is also up for the throne as king, so his uncle is trying to set Mia up where she will loose her crown before she could even have it. Mia has to decide wither to go with her heart and let herself love Nicolas or have her duty for her country and marry for Genovia.The Princess Diaries 2 has some cute and funny moments, I won't lie, I did laugh a little bit, but over all I have to say that it just could have been more, you know? The actors didn't seem to click as well as they did in the first film. Not to mention how quickly the character Michael went away and Lily just was there for 5 minutes to make like a semi quick cameo and just be out of the story. If you want too, feel free to watch this movie, it's harmless, but it's not a great movie if you're looking for one.4/10