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Movie Review - Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement (2004)
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(What this rating means)
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| Director: |
Garry Marshall |
| Starring: |
Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Hector Elizondo, John Rhys-Davies, and Chris Pine |
| Rated: |
G |
| Length: |
115 minutes |
| Genre: |
Romantic Comedy |
| Tagline: |
You are cordially invited to the royal event of the season. R.S.V.P. This Summer |
| Studio: |
Disney |
| Website: |
Princess Diaries 2 |
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PLOT
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Mia Thermopolis (Hathaway) is now a college grad and is on her way to Genovia, where she will learn the art
of ruling a country from her grandmother, the ruling Queen (Andrews). Upon arrival, she discovers that because
of some ancient law, she must be married before she can be queen. The Prime Minister gives her only thirty
days to secure a husband or the throne will go to Nicholas Devereaux (Pine), nephew of the evil Viscount
Mabrey (Rhys-Davies). Can an arranged marriage bring her happiness, and what will happen to all those
arrangements when an attraction begins with her opponent for the throne? Cute Anne, Hot Chris Pine, and
Disney cheese ensue.
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MS. ANG'S TAKE
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With the review of Ella Enchanted, I did establish that I was a weirdo
for liking cheesy movies with Anne Hathaway. Therefore, this movie did not disappoint. I just admire her so
much; I wish I could be her. Don't we all have someone like that? I know for Johnny Betts that person is
probably Josh Brolin, or more likely Josh Brolin as James Hickok. At any rate, I really hope she can break
out of the "Cute Disney Girl" mold and get into a movie my husband will want to see with me.
So we're in cute little European Genovia with the cute little farm animals and the cute housemaids and...
had enough cuteness yet? It doesn't let up but for a few brief grown-up moments when we look at the romantic
relationships building in the story. So let's look at them. Mia is on a husband hunt. Prince William isn't
available since he is in line for his own country's crown, so she settles for a harmless looking English Duke
named Andrew. After a quaint two week or so courtship, he presents her with his grandmother's ring and they
are engaged. Wedding plans are made. Meanwhile, the evil Viscount and his nephew are guests at the palace
(because the Queen knows they're up to no good) and the Viscount (who wants his nephew to be King, presumably
so he can puppeteer) convinces his nephew Nicholas to make Mia confused about her commitment to Andrew, change
her mind about marriage and forfeit the crown. In other words, "play her." Mia is surprised and confused by
her attraction to Nicholas, and Nick is equally surprised to find he isn't pretending anymore.
If we left it at this, it could very well be the plot line for a Harlequin Romance novel.
Sadly, all this romantic tension is pushed aside by silly housemaids, a Disney Princess style wedding shower,
and a few cameos of the ever annoying Disney Channel Queen, Raven. I was slightly mollified by hearing Julie
Andrews sing. And then she went mattress surfing. That scene is in every trailer and commercial, you can't have
missed it. Not worth seeing again. The song was beautiful as Dame Andrews sang it, and I really could have
done without it turning into a hip-hop ballad for Raven to sing while 13-year-old princesses danced like Britney
Spears wannabes.
Now, listen very carefully and remember this name: Chris Pine. Each name has one syllable, just like Brad Pitt,
who I think Chris looks like. A young, brown-haired Brad Pitt, with the aura of Tristan in Legends of the
Fall. Look him up online, and if you like what you see then it is worth at least seeing a matinee of the
movie for him. If my husband ever reads this, sorry, honey, but he was really hot.
Obviously it has a happy ending, but not quite the way you would expect. The big wedding still takes place,
but not with the original Bride or Groom. So what, the movie had cheese on cheese with a side of cheese, but
the glimpses of adult relationships, romance and one beautifully touching scene that made me cry (I cry more
at moving things than sad things) was worth sitting through the rest.
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ODDS & ENDS
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- Anne Hathaway is actually the same age as her character - 21 (she'll be 22 in November).
- Chris Pine is hot.
- Because Johnny made me: John Rhys-Davies was in Lord of the Rings with Sean Astin who was in
Goonies with Josh Brolin who was in The Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon. He looked it up for me
to prove how smart he was. Rah, team, rah.
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MAMA'S APPROVAL
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This would offend no one, unless the sight of Raven sends you into an apoplectic fit.
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TRAILER COMPARISON
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What you see is what you get, and then some in all directions. There is more silly stuff than the trailer
shows but also more moving and tender moments as well as things that are actually funny. And of course, lots
more of Chris Pine.
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THE GIST
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C'mon, what do you REALLY expect? It's a sequel - if you liked the first one, you'll like the second. Fun,
entertaining, touching, some Disney cheese thrown in for the kiddos, and the always adorable Anne Hathaway.
I wouldn't say there was a "twist" in the end, but the plot did resolve itself in an unexpected way. The
Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement is good for kids, pre-teens and teens, and dorks like me with
nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon.
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