While Anne Hathaway puts on her sexy, sleek catsuit to play Selina Kyle in Nolan`s Bat-verse, let`s not forget the role that first shot her to fame: Mia Thermopolis, the klutzy young girl from San Francisco who gets swept off her feet and into a world of tiaras, ball gowns, and royal parties when her grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (played by the ever fabulous Julie Andrews), suddenly comes into her life with the news that Mia is heiress to the throne of a small European kingdom that she`s never even heard of. Both films follow Mia`s transformation from dork to princess, and the struggles that come with being both an ordinary teenager and a Queen-to-be at the same time.
The Princess Diaries is a charming movie that`s equal parts hilarity and good-old teen movie material. And though Royal Engagement admittedly falls a little short of its predecessor, it still carries the loveable air of quirkiness and tongue-in-cheek humour that keeps it light-hearted and enjoyable. It also doesn`t hurt that both films are backed by stellar casts (shout out to the casting directors for giving us Chris Pine as Prince Charming).
A sweet and surprisingly sophisticated duo of comedies, The Princess Diaries 1 and 2 are both royally enjoyable classics.
Extras: Just the one blooper reel per movie.
Film: 3.5/5 Extras: 2/5
– Zimin Ho