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The Princess Diaries (Widescreen Edition)

The Princess Diaries (Widescreen Edition)

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: very very cute
Review: Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews are standout leads in this movie about Mia Thermopolis, a 15-year-old nerd from San Francisco, who discovers she is the heir to the throne of a (fictional) European country called Genovia. She becomes Eliza Doolittle to her grandmother Queen Clarisse's Henry Higgins as she is groomed, both literally and figuratively, to be presented at a royal ball. She must make the decision whether to accept her title later.

So there is a fun little makeover scene where she comes out a raving beauty. I loved the last names -- the Italian stylist is named Paolo Putanesca (like the pizza) and their neighbor is Mr. Robitussin. Mandy Moore is blonde cheerleader princess Lana, who heads a little clique made up of Anna and Fontana. She sings a little rendition of Stupid Cupid at the beach party. I think they just wanted to show off that they had a pop singer in the cast, because you are not cool if you sing 50s songs at high school parties, and she was supposed to be the coolest one there.

A very enjoyable romp, free of any sexual innuendo, drugs, or cursing -- the harshest thing they call each other is freak and jerk.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: DELIGHTFUL FAMILY FILM
Review: In the great tradition of such Disney live-action family films as The Parent Trap, Garry Marshall spins a perfectly fine fairy tale with The Princess Diaries. Featuring a sparkling performances from natural comedienne Anne Hathaway and seasoned vet Julie Andrews, this movie is one virtually all members of your family can enjoy together -- it is truly G-rated, and in this case, the G-rating does not mean boring. A nerdy San Francisco highschooler is dumbfounded -- and not terribly happy -- to learn that she is in fact royalty -- and the chaos that ensues is both compelling and highly entertaining. What a welcome sight to see Julie Andrews -- the 60s queen of G-films -- return to form in the role of a Queenly grandmother! The movie has the amiable pacing and gentle humor of a romantic comedy, and unfolds in a way that is predictable without being flat. The score, laden with pop music, adds to the fresh warm-hearted gloss. Watch for a minor car accident, and its subsequent scene, to earn the biggest laugh, though there are giggles and smiles aplenty.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A painfully predictable Ugly Duckling story from Disney
Review: "The Princess Diaries" is a story about a young teenager girl who discovers one day that she is really the princess of Genovia, a postage stamp country between France and Spain, and the only blood heir to the throne. This Disney Film is firmly in the Ugly Duckling tradition, which means that Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) starts out with glasses and bushy curly hair, but she is one makeover away from being gorgeous. The agent of revelation in this story is her grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), who explains that Mia must be prepared to assume the throne. However, Mia's mother (Caroline Goodall) assures her daughter that she does not have to be a real princess is she really does not want to be.

Will Mia becomes a princess? Will the makeover help? Will she tell her best friend (Heather Matarazzo) her secret? Will the press find out? Will Mia get the first kiss of her dreams? Will Mia pick her best friend's brother (Robert Schwartzman) or the big man on campus (Erik von Detten)? Will Mia ever hit the softball? Will the evil baron and his bride take over Genovia? Will Mia's mom find a boyfriend? Will Mia ever get to put stuck up cheerleader Lana Thomas (Mandy Moore) in her place? Do I really have to ask any of these questions?

This movie is going to be liked a lot more by adolescent girls who have not seem enough of this particular formula film to know that most of it is painfully predictable. Fans of Garry Marshall have to be disappointed that this film is not a lot better. Fortunately he has Julie Andrews as the queen and it is hard to get too mad at a film that has her going around being so nice to everybody. I think it is because it is Andrews in the role that the culture shock of colliding with her granddaughter's world is not so great: informed that she is a princess Mia shouts "Shut up!" and there are retainers there to explain to the queen that in the vernacular of American teenagers this does not mean "to be quiet." Unfortunately the script requires the queen to be a bit slow at key moments so that all the little conflicts of the film can come together.

Marshall also has his good luck charm, Hector Elizondo as Joe, who is the queen's jack of all trades. Although he is under utilized, Elizondo provides most of the timely intelligent comments in the film. I know they are working on a sequel this year for this film in which Mia is going to be forced to marry some young European royal, but I am hoping that Joe does more than dance with the queen the next time around.

There are relatively few really good moments in "The Princess Diaries." I liked the line Mia says before her big romantic kiss, and I liked the setting of the big romantic kiss, but the scene only underscores the idea it should not have taken her this long to make the right choice. More emblematic of the film is when Mia gives her arch nemesis her big comeuppance. I know that this is a Disney film and that allowances must be made, but even within those strictures this was the best anybody could come up with? The alternative scene included on the DVD is even lamer. Even predictable films can have their moments and work overall, but this 2001 film falls short on both of those scales.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Pretty Woman meets My Fair Lady...
Review: I asked my three-year-old daughter the other day what she wanted to be when she was older. She answered simply, "A princess." Certainly, that is the fantasy of many girls, and it's one which Mia Thermopolis (played wonderfully by Anne Hathaway) gets to live out in "The Princess Diaries." Young Mia, awkwardly struggling through her teen years, learns from her estranged grandmother that she is the heir to the throne of Genovia. What ensues is a delightful tale about a young woman who is seeking her true identity -- both as a simple teenager and as a potential royal. Hathaway's is perfect, both as a clumsy high-schooler with frizzy hair, and as a "belle of the ball." Her transformation is one of the treats of the film, as are performances by Julie Andrews (as Mia's queenly grandmother) and by Hector Elizondo (as Genovia's head of security). More than a basic, one-dimensional story, "The Princess Diaries" entertains on several levels, and manages to do so while maintaining a "G" rating. Simply put, it's a delight for the entire family.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Rated... Good For All
Review: This was one of those kick back and enjoy yourself kind of movies where you didn't have to worry about language shocking you or someone coming out of their clothes surprising everyone in the house.
Julie Andrews, Miss Elegance herself, was perfect as the Queen. It was a good cast and a good show and one I would own and see more than once.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I HAVE TO GET THIS EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE OTHER EDITION
Review: I NEED WIDE SCREAN I LOVE THIS MOVIE IT"S ALWAYS makes me happy when I watch it ahh(...) ALSO I love ELLA ENChanted THE MOVIE AND BOOK...

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life

I"M SORRY EVERY SINCE I SAW SHREK 2 I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS SONG IT"S CALLED "HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO"

PS. Go to MC DEE's (MC Donalds) AND but an ADULT HAPPY MEAL IT"S COOL

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: LANA, THE CHEERLEADING PRINCESS.
Review: Mandy Moore, who played Lana, in The Princess Dairies, made the entire movie worth watching. She looked amazing in that cheerleading outfit, but to bad she got conned by Mia. I think Mandy Moores character is a true inspiration to all girls who are good looking. Lets face it, looks are everything. Sorry unattractive girls.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Cinderella - with a modern-day twist
Review: Julie Andrews's part of Queen Rinaldi fit her like a glove. I had to actually remind myself that she wasn't royalty.

Unfortunately, Disney can be a bit predictable at times with the storylines but with The Princess Diaries they did a good job of telling the Cinderella tale in modern-day language that today's kids can understand.

This Cinderella story has a twist, with the odd girl finding out she's a princess - and the only descendent that can keep the throne of Genovia in her family. Unrealistic, sure, but it's good for kids to dream.

Many issues are discussed in the film: Dealing with the loss of a parent at a young age, dealing with people who like you only for what you have not for who you are, dealing with a family that has kept its distance. Children won't see or understand the deeper meanings but the storyline teaches those points as best it can.

Definitely a fun movie to watch.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A painfully predictable Ugly Duckling story from Disney
Review: "The Princess Diaries" is a story about a young teenager girl who discovers one day that she is really the princess of Genovia, a postage stamp country between France and Spain, and the only blood heir to the throne. This Disney Film is firmly in the Ugly Duckling tradition, which means that Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) starts out with glasses and bushy curly hair, but she is one makeover away from being gorgeous. The agent of revelation in this story is her grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), who explains that Mia must be prepared to assume the throne. However, Mia's mother (Caroline Goodall) assures her daughter that she does not have to be a real princess is she really does not want to be.

Will Mia becomes a princess? Will the makeover help? Will she tell her best friend (Heather Matarazzo) her secret? Will the press find out? Will Mia get the first kiss of her dreams? Will Mia pick her best friend's brother (Robert Schwartzman) or the big man on campus (Erik von Detten)? Will Mia ever hit the softball? Will the evil baron and his bride take over Genovia? Will Mia's mom find a boyfriend? Will Mia ever get to put stuck up cheerleader Lana Thomas (Mandy Moore) in her place? Do I really have to ask any of these questions?

This movie is going to be liked a lot more by adolescent girls who have not seem enough of this particular formula film to know that most of it is painfully predictable. Fans of Garry Marshall have to be disappointed that this film is not a lot better. Fortunately he has Julie Andrews as the queen and it is hard to get too mad at a film that has her going around being so nice to everybody. I think it is because it is Andrews in the role that the culture shock of colliding with her granddaughter's world is not so great: informed that she is a princess Mia shouts "Shut up!" and there are retainers there to explain to the queen that in the vernacular of American teenagers this does not mean "to be quiet." Unfortunately the script requires the queen to be a bit slow at key moments so that all the little conflicts of the film can come together.

Marshall also has his good luck charm, Hector Elizondo as Joe, who is the queen's jack of all trades. Although he is under utilized, Elizondo provides most of the timely intelligent comments in the film. I know they are working on a sequel this year for this film in which Mia is going to be forced to marry some young European royal, but I am hoping that Joe does more than dance with the queen the next time around.

There are relatively few really good moments in "The Princess Diaries." I liked the line Mia says before her big romantic kiss, and I liked the setting of the big romantic kiss, but the scene only underscores the idea it should not have taken her this long to make the right choice. More emblematic of the film is when Mia gives her arch nemesis her big comeuppance. I know that this is a Disney film and that allowances must be made, but even within those strictures this was the best anybody could come up with? The alternative scene included on the DVD is even lamer. Even predictable films can have their moments and work overall, but this 2001 film falls short on both of those scales.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Very Good Girly movie!
Review: This is a very good girlish movie. The review that says that the book was so much better is totally untrue. I watched this movie a couple of years ago and really liked it. I got the book this Christmas and I totally could hardly make myself keep on reading it. This is the first movie I have ever seen that the movie is better than the book.


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