Customer Reviews

The Princess Diaries

5 star:		(156)
4 star:		(63)
3 star:		(27)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

THE MOVIE:

Although a bit formulaic with the "ugly duckling" storyline, this movie really was a great way to spend two hours. The basic storyline has Mia (Anne Hathaway), an unpopular (to put in mildly) school girl finding out that she's the heir to the throne of a small European kingdom when her long-lost grandmother (the legendary Julie Andrews!!!) shows up to claim her for the throne.

The rest of the movie basically shows Mia taking the hilarious steps to refine and (physically and socially) transform herself for the throne while she tries to survive the tenth grade, find the right boyfriend and battle off the paparazzi. While the plot may sound cliché, the movie really is a great flick taking you back to those less than secure days of high school. You'll really feel for Mia as she battles her own self-doubts, feelings, emotions and those sometimes cruel classmates of hers (including pop superstar Mandy Moore).

Highlights:

- The first state dinner!!!

- Beating the ticket!!!

- Those high school adventures...

- The hilarious lessons in etiquette...

- The makeover...

- A young girl finds herself!!!

The best scenes in the movie for me were the "State Dinner" and the part where they tried to beat a ticket from a cop.

THE DVD FEATURES:

Overall, Princess Diaries DVD is basically a great representative of what most DVD movies SHOULD be like as it is just chalked full of great extras.

1. 8 deleted scenes from the movie, including commentary from director Gary Marshall introducing each scene and then subsequently explaining why they were cut from the movie. GREAT extra.

2. Behind-the-scenes documentary/featurette "A New Princess." Truly one of the better behind-the-scenes documentaries I've seen with tons of cast and crew interviews, including looks at the different cast members and why they were cast for their specific roles. You'll get to see a lot of the cast interaction including a cast and crew party.

3. Two music videos including Myra's "Miracles Happen" and Krystal Harris' "Supergirl." These were cool...

4. TWO OPTIONAL AUDIO COMMENTARIES: One from Gary Marshall and one from Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews. The commentaries actually run throughout the movie where they explain and give their thoughts on each scene.

Summed up, this is basically a really, really good DVD and definitely a must-see if you really liked the movie. Disney's done a great job on it.

Overall, if you dig those "teen/chick" types of movies, you'll go for this one. I'd equate this to a cross between "Miss Congeniality" and "Never Been Kissed." It's a fun movie to kill a few hours with or to catch while on a date. If you're a guy, I'll guarantee your spouse/girlfriend will probably like it...

THE VERDICT:

The Movie: Recommended

The DVD: Highly Recommended If You Really Loved the Movie

15-year-old Mia Thermopolis is just hoping to get through school. She mostly invisible and likes it that way. Then her grandmother comes to visit and reveals a secret. Mia is really a princess and next in line for the throne of Genovia. Now Mia must learn to act like a princess while dealing with her new found popularity and fame. Does she want the throne? Can she rule? Will she hurt her friends in the process?

This is a fun movie. Rewatching it recently, I was struck by how realistic it was. Mia goes through many emotions over the course of the movie, all of which exactly what a girl in her shoes would go through. And her growth is quite noticeable. Along the way, there's a great story that moves along nicely and keeps your interest. Newcomer Anne Hathaway is perfect as Mia, and Julie Andrews brings believability to her roll as Queen Clarisse. I can't imagine anyone else in her roll.

The DVD release is perfect for fans of the movie. The widescreen picture looks great and the full surround is perfect. There's a fun behind the scenes featurette, 8 deleted scenes with interesting if somewhat over done commentary by Gary Marshall, and two audio commentaries. The first features director Gary Marshall and the second features a tea party/commentary with Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway.

Pre-teens girls are the target audience of this movie, and they'll love it. But anyone in the family will enjoy this movie if they'll give it a chance.

I must admit, I did not want to see "The Princess Diaries" at first. However, the film actually captured my interest and approval.

Pros:
1)"The Princess Diaries" offers quality entertainment fit for the entire family. There is little, if any, swearing which is excellent for the younger audience (or for the older audience if you are like me and dislike tastless profanity!)
2)The overall moral of the story is rather elementary, but well executed i.e. there is more to being a princess than having power and vast lands.
3)Julie Andrews offers a wonderfully elegant performance without the ostentation.
4)The humor in "The Princess Diaries" is actually funny... All too often films claim to be funny, but instead of offering decent humor they use sexual jokes and gutter humor versus true comedy.

Anyway, you get the point..

Cons:
1)One scene of the film that irritated me greatly dealt with the princess's physical make over. A short explanation: The princess is a klutzy, unattractive young woman whom undergoes a make over under the orders of her grandmother, the queen. When the make over is finished, the princess loses all of her physical klutziness and instantly becomes an irresistable young woman who can do no wrong. (This ficticious attitude last a while, then the flim takes a more realistic approach to princess's make over i.e. a little make-up being applied does not connotate that you will not trip over your own shoes...)

That is about it for the deadly Cons.

Overall, go see the movie with your family. Enjoy the simple plot, indulge in the clean script, and be swept into a modern fairy-tale.

My earliest movie memories are seeing Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. So you might guess that I have a soft spot for her. The Princess Diaries is Julie's return to the studio that made her famous.

Mia Termopolis is your average teenager trying to survive high school. She lives in an old fire house (probably the one from Herbie Rides Again) and he has her own socially impaired friends. She is set to have a quiet and inconsequential life. But one day her life is thrown into upheaval when her grandmother arrives. She has never met her before.

When Grandma arrives it turns out that she is more than just a grandmother, she is the Queen of Genovia. And she has news; Mia is the sole heir to the throne. And she is going to go through a royal makeover for a reception that will announce her to the world. (This is very predictable but still funny.)

At first Mia tries to hide her royal secret from everyone. First her friends find out then the news breaks and everyone finds out. This turns her from social outcast to the most popular girl at school. And the dreamboat that she fantasizes over now is after her. This is where the movie gets very predictable with an ending that is even more predictable.

This is a charming film and is a great family film.

The quality of the film is Julie Andrews. She takes a role that could be minor or trivial and shows the star quality that she has. She was even mentioned as a longshot supporting actress Oscar nominee - and that would have been justified.

Anne Hathaway makes a great debut as Mia but at times shows her naivety in the early scenes with Julie. But in the end she shows her ability to be a future star.

Hector Elizondo once again shows why he is a great movie character actor. He is polished and makes the perfect number two man.

Garry Marshall started in sitcoms like The Odd Couple and Happy Days but transferred to movies with ease. This is the first film in which he shows some of his old sitcom tendencies but you can overlook it in the end.

DVD EXTRAS:
A New Princess Featurette - making of featurette with interviews by producers Debra Martin Chase and Whitney Houston, director Garry Marshall, actors Anne Hathaway, Heather Matarazzo, Mandy Moore

Deleted Scenes with Introduction by Garry Marshall - 8 deleted scenes with commentary

Audio Commentary by Garry Marshall
Audio Commentary by Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway

Music Videos - Miracles Happen by Myra and Supergirl by Krystal Harris

The princess diary takes a look at the awkwardness of growing up. Mia Thermopolis lives in a refurbished San Francisco firehouse with her mother Helen and cat. A nerdy neighbor suspect sometime strange is happening next door. Mia sleeps upstairs in the loft and slides down a fire pole ended at the main floor. Who wouldn't love to sleep in a firehouse loft and slide down a fire pole each morning?

Mia awkwardness is best expressed when during a "Josh kissing Mia daydream", Mia gets chocolate ice cream smeared against her uniform; or when Mia throws up after being embarrassed during debate practice; or when she stumbles over her thick soled shoes as she practices walking with a stately glide; or when Mia's car breaks down on the way to the acceptance ball, too be rescued by Joseph, as she sits crying in the rain. Joseph not Josh is the white knight to Mia's rescue. Joseph is both understanding with Mia and very helpful in assisting Mia to become a beautiful young woman. Joseph and Queen Clarisse help gently push Mia from the nest and help Mia fly.

Helen manages a career, as an artist. Helen is a single mother, keeps secrets from Mia, and manages to get date with Mia's debate coach. Mia and Helen rock climb together. Mia and Helen are more friends then mother-daughter. Mia discovers she is heir too a small European principality of Genovia, a secret her mother kept from her. Helen wanted Mia to grow up, be educated, and suffer like all non-royalty, but on her 16th birthday choice. The character development between Lilly, Lilly's brother, and Mia was minimal. Lilly is a "save the earth" outcast, who pulled Mia into her cause. Mia pretends to share Lilly interests because she is her friend.

Lilly, at first likes Mia changes in popularity and status. Lilly loves Mia makeover but over time, Lilly spends most of her time mumbling and nagged Mia. Lilly can see their friendship disappearing. Lilly's brother seems too gawk at Mia most of the time but at the end managed to dance with her at the acceptance ball.

The central fantasy of this movie was the make over. Every young girl believes cosmetics, perfect hair, and great clothes will transform them into popularity, affection with boys, and success. Character development is the essence of a person. Mia discovers both. The beauty stylist ask Mia if her these were her glasses. When Mia says, "yes" he snaps them in half. The stylist says to Mia, "If Brooke Shields married Groucho Marx, that child would have your eyebrows." Mia gets her frizzed hairs straighten but not before the wood brush is broke trying to navigate through it. Next, the eyebrows are plucked and cucumbers placed over her eyes. Straight hair, eye shadow, eyelid coloring, cheek color, lipstick, and contacts restore the princess image. The change catches Joshes attention and Lilly's brother, the quiet musician.

The choice to accept or reject royalty may seem complex but it was not. Mia almost immediately chose wealth, prestige, and royalty from the moment she met her grand mother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi. Joseph head of security escort Mia around town by limousine. Joseph secretly has a love for the queen but she can't, at the moment, accept his love because she must manage the kingdom.

The Queen educated Mia on matters of manners, etiquette, statesmanship, and power. Mia role as a princess only required to claim what was hers by birthright and this made her immediate famous. The media received a tip from the hair designer about Mia royal status and TVs attention immediately converge on the High school. Mia royalty had the affect of launching her into celebrity status. The tabloids exploited this fact and followed her every move.

In one scene, Queen Clarisse knights two officers rather than receive a speeding ticket. The officers are dumbfounded and accept knighthood with all its perks. The irony of the situation makes one laugh, they go out to give a ticket, run into a stately dress woman in her mid 50s, and become a knight of Genovia. Mia arrives at the ball and accepts her title as princess of Genovia. Mia is amazed as she arrives by helicopter to the exclusive castle on the hill, for which, she will take possession of. Wealth has its privileges.

The movie has no real villains. The cheerleader nemesis played by Mandy Moore offers no opposition rather ignores Mia and continues expressing her affection to Josh cause jealousy on Mia's part.

Family entertainment. The Princess Diaries is very entertaining for the whole family. Given the cast and director Garry Marshall, one would except a good movie, but this surpasses good proving that a `G' rated movie is as entertaining as any R rated movie; and it doesn't have to be animated! The young Anne Hathaway is very charming and will reminding you of a young Julie Roberts. Hector Elizondo repeats his Pretty Women caregiver role as Joe, the limo driver and watchful friend. Julie Andrews still can capture an audience. She still has that wonderful glow and smile. What a wonderful women. If you need a good movie for the holidays or to keep in your collection to show when you need something entertaining for a mixed audience, this movie should do it. Buy it and enjoy it!

Why? Because I identify so much with them! Lets take Mia for example. Like me she has: bad hair, glasses, a bit geeky, and clumsy to boot. The only thing Anne Hathaway wasn't 'blessed' with during this movie was bad skin. Why not?!

I must admit I'm a sucker for a good Cinderella story, after all, what girl wouldn't want a hunk carrying her away from everything? (And doing stuff to her afterwards that Disney can't show?) This isn't that much of a Cinderella story, although it's loosely based around the idea. There is the fairy godmother, but there's no prince charming - the guys were not cute in this movie!

The only thing that stops this movie from becoming four stars, is the fact it's so slow!!! The first hour flies by, the second absolutely drags. It has a few funny moments, particularly when they're at the big fancy dinner, but that's about it.

I loved the fact that this movie was directed by Garry Marshall, the same guy who directed Pretty Woman. Even some of the same actors appear in this. Allan Kent who plays the waiter at state dinner says the words, "Happens all the time." He said the same words as the waiter in Pretty Woman. Patrick Richwood, who played elevator operator Dennis in Pretty Woman also appears as Mia's next door neighbour. Also, you may also spot Hector Elizonda, who was the hotel manager, Barney Thompson.

There's an underlying romance (since Mia wasn't getting any) going on between Hector & the fabulous Julie Andrews, which was hinted at during the movie, but never really brought forward. However, this relationship Queen Clarisse Renaldi and Joseph was not scripted. The dance scene and the underlying affection was added by the two actors. According to Hector Elizondo, "We felt that a romance after 50 was important to tell and it can be sensual and sexy while keeping your clothes on."

The scene where Mia trips and falls in the bleachers was real. Anne Hathaway had tripped while doing the scene, and director Garry Marshall thought it was funny, he inserted it in the final cut. Hector also played basketball several hours solo in the rain for the few seconds shown in the movie.

Two of my boyfriend's favourite women also appear in this, and they are Mandy Moore and Heather Matarazzo. Neither have really big parts, and Heather plays her usual role, of being a really little whine at times, and also a snob. Mandy played a blonde cheerleader, and once more, she sings a song during this. Why?! Why must she always sing in movies, to constantly remind she was a not-so-successful singer before this? Grrrrrr. She was a real cow in this movie, and thankfully, she got her come-uppance, cos I was about ready to strangle her!

The plot is predictable, and the extras are majorly fluffy, but what else do you expect from a Disney movie? Anne Hathaway held her own against the other bigger name stars, and really shone in this movie. And she did the ugly duckling/swan looks really well. It will be interesting to see how the sequel goes, as I don't really think they could have done much more with it than already done.

I don't think as some reviewers have mentioned this is a kiddie version of Pretty Woman. For starters, there's no handsome hunk to sweep the lead off her feet, in fact, the whole guy-lusting-after-girl-but-she-only-notices-the-popular-guy-at-school is really dumbed down, and hardly a major part of the movie. I think I prefer Pretty Woman though - Garry Marshall has never surpassed that movie.

This movie will never be considered a classic, and is pretty much forgettable a while after watching it. It's nothing special, although Anne Hathaway could do with a little nudge in the right direction, and she'll become a star.

I loved this movie.
It is a "modern day" fairy tale, and since it's from Disney you can expect a happy ending. But it is also very funny. Anne Hathaway as Mia was great, and Julie Andrews as the grandmother was hilarious as well.

This is a "feel good" movie that is a guaranteed good time, with laughs guaranteed.
It's a great movie that the whole family can enjoy.

It's a disney movie so don't expect too much depth and the moral is always the same, but it's not too "in your face",which makes the whole experience enjoyable.

I whole-heartedly recommend this movie.

Fifteen year old Mia Thermopolis is awkward, with glasses, frizzy hair that she can't control, and just wants to blend into the scenery. She is good at being "invisible" and cannot make a speech in front of her class without becoming sick to her stomach. Imagine her surprise when her grandmother, her father's mother whom she's never met, arrives in town and tells Mia that she is really a princess! Mia is hesitant about being put in the spotlight, but she starts taking "Princess lessons". Not only does she learn how to be a Princess, but she learns how to be true to herself and who her true friends really are.

This is a good clean, fun movie for women of all ages. Most teenage girls with identify with Mia as well as any woman who can remember what it was like to be a teenager (and who can't?). The movie doesn't break any new ground, movies like this never do, but who cares? It's great to see Julie Andrews in a starring role and she has a lot of fun with the part. The rest of the cast is excellent, especially Anne Hathaway (although she is far too pretty for the audience to believe she is ever an ugly duckling), Hector Elizondo, Heather Matarazzo, and Robert Schwartzman.

When I was 32 years old, back in 2001 when this movie came out, I took my then 7 year old daughter to see this move. As a parent I often have to suffer through books my children read to me, music they like, and television shows & movies that I have no desire to see. The previews made this movie look like the standard Disney channel fluff I occasionally have to endure. However, I found that I actually enjoyed this movie.

Garry Marshall basically redressed his PRETTY WOMAN storyline for kids. He even brought in Hector Elizondo, the hotel manager in PW, as the head security officer for the Queen of Genovia, who is played by Julie Andrews. The story also has aspects of the LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY novel in it.

The story is not all that original. A long lost heir to the throne of Genovia has been identified as a klutzy teenager who lives in San Francisco. The Queen of Genovia goes to San Francisco and attempts to persuade her to come back to Genovia and take her place as a princess of the realm. From there the typical hijinks ensue. The princess gets an education in proper royal behavior & procedures. The Queen learns to loosen up and relax. Princess Mia also struggles between dating the school jock, who ignored her before she became famous and dating an unpopular guy who has been her friend for years.

The story is predictable and hold no real surprises. Despite this I still found myself enjoying the film. Julie Andrews did well in her role as the Queen and it was a treat to see her in another Disney film. I was surprised by how well Anne Hathaway did in her role as Princess Mia. She held her own against such performers as Andrews and Elizondo. This movie could have come off as cheezy but thanks to the director and skilled actors it proved to be a real treat. I remember back in 1990 when PW came out that girls thought it was so romantic that a hooker could find romance, true love and wealth. In my opinion PD is a much better role model. I'd rather have my little girl wishing she that she was heir to throne than a hooker who happens to find true love.

Anyway, thanks to my daughter I discovered a film that I really enjoyed It is also because of her that I just saw the sequel, PD-2. It was even better than PD.