The Princess Diaries

reviewed by Candice Cooper

Suggested Ages: MPAA Rating: Star Rating:
5+ G *****


What It's About:
Shy and nerdy Mia Thermopolis, whose only wish is to get through her school day unnoticed and without causing herself any embarrassment, is about to get the surprise of a lifetime. Enter Mia's estranged grandmother who just happens to be the Queen of Genovia! Mia isn't overjoyed to discover she is a princess and does not attend her 'princess lessons' without a fight. To top it off, Mia has only three weeks to learn how to act and look like royalty. Her comical transformation plays out on screen with much laughter, fun, and sheer enjoyment. On a more serious note, Mia also finds herself hiding from the media, dealing with jealous classmates and trying to thwart a plot to take over Genovia.

What Parents Need To Know:
'The Princess Diaries" contains no profanity, no violence, and no nudity/sex. Alcohol is shown being served at a banquet and at dinner, but it's consumed by persons of legal age.

The Bottom Line:
All girls aged 2 to 102 have fantasized of discovering they are a princess and this movie makes that fantasy a reality in a fun and endearing way. "The Princess Diaries" is pure, ivory soap clean fun, made for the sole purpose of entertainment. Sure, there are plot holes and the storyline is far-fetched, but it takes us back to a simpler time in film history when a movie was a way to escape the harsher realities of life if only for a little while. Take this movie at face value and just let it delight you.

The Scoop:
My whole family loved this movie. It would be a great video for a young girl's slumber party or a Chick Flick night with the girls. Even men will like this movie although, they might not admit it.

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