The Princess Diaries (2001) Review in 2025
A high school student discovers she is a princess of a small European country and must learn to navigate royal life.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
This movie is suitable for all ages, especially families with teenagers, as it's a light-hearted and fun film that promotes self-acceptance and royal responsibility.
CineReview Recommendation
This movie is worth watching for its light-hearted and fun tone, as well as its positive message about self-acceptance and royal responsibility. It's suitable for streaming or watching in theaters.
Spoiler Alert!
Hover to reveal spoiler summary
Mia Thermopolis, an awkward high school student, discovers she is the princess of the small European country of Genovia. With the help of her grandmother, Queen Clarisse, Mia must learn to balance her royal duties with her high school life, all while navigating her crush on a popular student and dealing with the pressure of being a princess.
Review Details
story8.00/10
The story is engaging and fun, with a clear arc of Mia's transformation from an awkward high school student to a confident princess. However, the plot is somewhat predictable and lacks depth.
acting9.00/10
The acting is excellent, with Anne Hathaway delivering a standout performance as Mia. Julie Andrews is also delightful as Queen Clarisse, bringing warmth and authority to the role.
characters9.00/10
The characters are well-developed and relatable, especially Mia and her grandmother. The supporting characters are also enjoyable, but some feel underutilized.
direction8.00/10
The direction is light-hearted and fun, with a clear vision for the tone of the film. However, some scenes feel rushed or overly simplistic.
cinematography7.00/10
The cinematography is average, with some nice shots of the royal palace and the city of Genovia. However, the film's color palette is somewhat dull and lacks vibrancy.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The Princess Diaries is a fun and engaging film with a clear arc of transformation, excellent acting, and a positive message. The movie is suitable for all ages and is a great choice for families with teenagers.
Cons
The plot is somewhat predictable and lacks depth, and some scenes feel rushed or overly simplistic. The cinematography is average and lacks vibrancy.
Notable Quotes
"I'm not a princess, I'm a regular girl from San Francisco."
"I'm not sure what's more exhausting, being a princess or pretending to be one."
"You're a princess, Mia. You're a princess, and you have to act like it."
