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43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The "Fairytale Formula" works for Disney yet again!, August 16, 2004
A fairytale dreamland. A Princess. Prince Charming. A stunning castle. Once again, Disney used the formula and got it right. In the adorable sequel to 2001's The Princess Diaries,"Anne Hathaway returns as Amelia Minonette Thermopolis Renaldi. She's still gawky, she's still clumsy, but she's now turning 21 years old and is a bit more mature.
A recent graduate of Princeton, Mia is now moving to Genovia to learn how to rule; her grandmother Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews, in a wonderful reprisal role) will have to teach her poise, decorum and diplomacy before stepping down as queen of Genovia, so Mia can be crowned. Best friend Lily (Heather Matarazzo) is attending Berkeley, and Mia and Lily's brother Michael (Robert Schwartzman) are now just friends, as Michael is off touring the country with his band. When Mia arrives in Genovia only to learn that another person is eligible for her crown, and that by Parliament's rule she must marry before 30 days is up or forfeit her crown, she is stunned! Mia has always wanted to marry for love, and who can possibly expect someone to fall in love in just 30 days?
In Mia's search for an eligible Prince Charming she comes across a lovely young man named Andrew Jacoby (Callum Blue) from England, who is perfect for her in every way: but can she love him? Another is in her path as well: a guy named Nicholas (Chris Pine), with whom she dances briefly at her birthday ball (she flirts with him mildly). When Mia discovers shortly thereafter that "Sir" Nicholas is actually THE Lord Devereaux that is trying to steal her crown, she is quite upset! Nicholas's evil uncle Viscount Mabrey (Jonathan Rhys-Davies) is determined that his nephew should rule Genovia -- after all, Nicholas was born and raised in Genovia, and knows more about the people than "the American born" Mia ever could.
With time running out and pressure from all sides for this "arranged marriage", Mia must overcome a few large obstacles: she must familiarize herself with the long-standing traditions of Genovia (such as shoot a flaming arrow through a ring on the night before her coronation), as well as learn how to be politic in dealing with sticky situations. Falling into a fountain, nearly shooting many people with arrows, stamping her heel on a young man's foot, climbing down ivy from her window and much more could hardly be considered ladylike behavior: but who has time to be genteel and ladylike when you only have 30 days to fall in love and marry?
In Disney style, this G offering has very little objectionable content: there is no bad language to speak of. There is a moment where a girl and a guy wake up together under a tree, but it is adamantly declared that nothing has happened. There is mild flirting, a few temper tantrums (understandable ones), and little else. This movie is so clean, that I would encourage you to take young children to see it! Some may say that it comes off flat and boring, but I didn't find it so. It wasn't quite as funny as I expected or as fast-paced as the first, but the storyline is simply adorable, and what I heard termed once as "gentle fun." Anne Hathaway gives another great performance as the oft-clumsy Mia; Julie Andrews is positively charming as always as the elegant and refined Queen of Genovia, and even regales us with a tune in this film: every bit of the price of admission is worth it, just for this. The other actors do a fine job as well, pulling off a cute and not-too-cheesy Disney fairy tale sequel.
And of course, what kind of fairy tale would this be if Mia and her Prince Charming didn't live happily ever after, so of course, you can expect a happy ending: but WHICH Prince Charming she will choose is an entirely different matter altogether!
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43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Cute and Pleasant Second Time Around, August 15, 2004
As a huge fan of The Princess Diaires books and the first movie, I honestly thought this movie would be a slap in the face for fans of the books and movie alike. Would it hold the same charm as the first movie? And while the plot is certainly not like the books, would it contain the same sweetness and wit as the books, as did the first film? The second time around, The Princess Diaires is just as pleasing and a complete joy to watch.
Princess Mia (Hatheway) has just graduated college. She is soon going to take over as Queen of Genovia from her grandmother, Queen Clarisse (Andrews). However, Mia learns that she must marry in 30 days or forfeit the crown of Genovia to another rightful heir, Nicholas Devereaux (played by, please excuse me for this, the total hottie Chris Pine). His uncle, Vicount Mabrey is really the one who wants Nicholas to be King, but Nicholas goes along with the scheme nonetheless. So Mia picks a decent guy who's sweet and charming and likeable, but can she go through with this wedding? Check out the movie for yourself to find out... though it's fairly obvious what will happen about fifteen minutes into the film, but who cares, it's great anyway.
Anne Hatheway is such a delight on screen, carrying an aura of likeability. Julie Andrews is, of course, wonderful as well and completely believable as a Queen, as she is in the first film. And as I've already said, Chris Pine who plays Nicholas is absolutely gorgeous, completely sending me head over heels, and while I like to have composure about this kind of thing that doesn't matter in a movie at all (ah-hem-- how hot a guy is), I just can't help myself.
Fans, definitely check this one out, you won't be disappointed. Everyone else, by all means check this out as well but leave your Citizen Kane expectations at home. This is just a fun movie! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny, romantic and charming. PD2 is a royal treat!!!!, August 15, 2004
First of, let me start by saying that anyone going to see this movie and expecting a testosterone filled action film is in for a HUGE disappointment. The title "Princess Diaries 2" should be a big giveaway. And if you're still not sure, then check out the original "Princess Diaries" on dvd or video.
I enjoyed "Princess Diaries" so I was looking forward to seeing this sequel. I had hoped that the sequel would be at least as good as the first film and I certainly wasn't disappointed.
"Princess Diaries 2" has the same charm, humor and sense of fun of the first film but this one is even better. Firstly, the fantasy and romance quotient is higher. Secondly, many of the original characters (and the actors who played them) are back including Mia's best friend Lilly (Heather Matarazzo), Joe (Hector Elizondo) and Mia's mom (Caroline Goodall). Thirdly, some new characters are added including Mia's assortment of would-be suitors, the devious Viscount Mabry (John Rhys-Davies), her dim-witted ladies maids Brigitte and Brigitta and the colorful assortment of security guards, servants and footmen who populate the palace.
The story begins with Mia (the always charming and lovely Anne Hathaway) graduating from college and on the verge of turning 21. She arrives in Genovia with the intent of inheriting the throne from her grandmother Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews). However, the law declares that she must marry before she rules and so the stage is set for her search for an appropriate husband. Mia then finds herself torn between two very different suitors - Andrew and Nicholas (played by handsome actors Callum Blue and Chris Pine) - and also the dilemma of choosing duty versus love.
I took my young daughter to see this film and we both enjoyed it...but on very different levels. She loved the princess-y aspects of the film and the humorous situations. I loved the old and young romance (and, yes, newcomer Chris Pine is a 'hunk' - reminds me of a younger Brad Pitt), the fantasy elements (royalty, castles, etc) and the wholesomeness of this film. It is G-rated and is one of those rare films that the whole family can enjoy. It also has a heroine that every parent would not be ashamed to have their daughter look up to. Mia is intelligent, spirited, sensible and very much her own person. She has a good head on her shoulders and, despite the dilemmas she faces, she makes the right choice (at least in my opinion) in the end.
Those who enjoyed "PD1" will certainly enjoy this movie. "Princess Diaries 2" is a charming gem of a film that the whole family (especially young princesses age 3 to 16 and their moms) will enjoy.
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