Princess Mia is back in this sluggish sequel to the unexpected
2001 hit, "The Princess Diaries." The new film is simply more of
the same, so fans of the original should find equally mild,
inoffensive, deathly dull delights here. All others have been
warned.
Set five years after the events of the first film, Mia (Anne
Hathaway) is settling into life as the future queen of European
burb Genovia. Guided by the current queen and grandmother (a
sublime Julie Andrews), Mia learns that to take her place as ruler,
she must marry within 30 days. The bachelor choices are slim, with
a nefarious member of Genovias parliament (John Rhys-Davies, Lord
of the Rings and Raiders of the Lost Ark) pushing his nephew
(Chris Pine) into Mias arms to take control of the kingdom through
their marriage.
Like the original Princess Diaries film from 2001, the sequel,
Royal Engagement has all the spice and mystery of a glass of tap
water. Director Garry Marshall, who almost ruined this summer with
his dreadful family comedy, Raising Helen, hasnt changed the
formula that made Diaries such a smash hit, which is great for
the franchise, but not for the audience.
I understand and admire the fairy tale world of the two Diaries,
which makes such an appealing series for younger audience members
who get quite caught up in Mias fantasy world of gowns, tiaras,
and endless supply of fun. But Marshall is such a drain on the
material, staging prehistoric slapstick bits that were dated even
back in the Vaudeville years, and drowning the whole enterprise in
needless, sluggish sentimentality when the films should sparkle
with verve. Marshall has become a machine, churning out the same
featherweight movies over and over, finding success only
occasionally. Royal Engagement has no chance to be truly
entertaining because it gasps for air under Marshalls anvil
direction, again missing a great opportunity to turn this story
into a continuing celebration of fairy tale happenstance.
At least Marshall had the sense to bring back together Julie
Andrews and Anne Hathaway, who are obviously the only personalities
pumping positive energy into the film. Continually amazing is
Hathaway, who is so delightfully comfortable being goofy on camera.
Shes the perfect Mia, blessed with reasonable pratfall skills, and
also able to shoulder the clunky romantic elements heated up for
the sequel. Hathaways cheery, hunky-dory spirit is infectious,
which is exactly what Royal Engagement is aching for.
Julie Andrews brings regality to the table, which this actress
could convey with the simple wink of her eye. An added bonus in the
film is the rare chance to hear Andrews sing again, albeit briefly,
and rudely interrupted by overproduced caterwauling from actress
Raven (in a cameo). But whats there is wonderful; proving that
Andrewss throat traumas over the past decade couldnt stop such a
Hollywood treasure from singing again. This short scene alone is a
reason enough to see the film.
Fans of the original Princess Diaries shouldnt be disappointed,
this is just more of the same, gently raising the stakes for Mia
and her throne, but also losing a great deal of charm the original
film held on to with quivering fingertips.
