Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

By FRANCESCA RUDKIN

(Herald rating: * * )

The Princess Diaries was a success with young teenage girls in 2001 and the family comedy continues with this sequel hitting the screens in time for the school holidays.

Like its predecessor, Princess Diaries 2 is filled with good-hearted Hollywood characters (even the bad ones seem harmless), and goofy comedic moments.

The film's strength is delightful performances of its stars Anne Hathaway, as Princess Mia, and Julie Andrews as Mia's grandmother, Queen Clarisse.

The plot is simple enough to grasp without having seen the original film. All you need to know is when Mia was 17, her grandmother visited her in San Francisco and admitted her deceased father was a European prince, and Mia will eventually govern the small state of Genovia.

Princess Mia is now 21 and, although she has learned a little more decorum under her grandmother's tutelage, she is still clumsy and goofy enough to get herself into right royal messes.

As Mia prepares to ascend the throne, the queen's lineage is challenged and, if Mia doesn't marry within 30 days, the crown will default to distant relative Lord Nicholas.

Princess Mia agrees to an arranged marriage, and a lovely English duke is found who fits the bill. Just when you thought that feminism and the 21st century had passed Genovia by, it appears that Princess Mia can have it all - the throne and true love.

At age 69 you might think veteran director Marshall could be out of touch with the film's audience. But the gasps from the 10-year-olds in the cinema when Princess Mia opens her walk-in wardrobe, filled with sunglasses, tiaras and shoes, confirmed that it takes only a touch of materialism to connect these days.

CAST: John Rhys-Davies, Anne Hathaway, Hector Elizondo, Julie Andrews

DIRECTOR: Garry Marshall

RUNNING TIME: 115 mins

RATING: G

SCREENING: Village, Hoyts Cinemas

REVIEWER: Francesca Rudkin