 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Princess Diaries
- Review Date: October 12, 2005
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2001
Common Sense Media says
Terrific fun for girls and their families, too.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is rated G because it has no profanity, violence, or sexual material, and there is very little to worry about. But that does not make it a kids-only movie. This is a family movie in the best sense, a movie that the whole family will enjoy. Parents should know that Mia drives without a license and manages to escape a ticket using tactics they might find troubling.
What's the story?
Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is a shy 15-year-old who says, "My expectation in life is to be invisible, and I'm good at it." She dreams of kissing high school hunk Josh Bryant, and she'd like to be able to get up in front of the class to speak without going to pieces. Her sympathetic mother, an artist, her best friend Lilly (Heather Matarazzo), and her "baby," a beat-up Mustang she is having repaired, keep her going. Just before her 16th birthday, she gets a visit from her grandmother (Julie Andrews), whom she's never met. An even bigger surprise is the reason for the visit. It turns out that Mia's grandmother is the queen of Genovia, her late father was a prince, and that makes her a princess! Mia will have to get some fast princess lessons to get ready for the ball. That is, if she decides to accept the job -- which she's not so sure about. As she says to her mother, "Just in case I'm not enough of a freak already, let's add a tiara!" Things get worse when Lilly feels deserted and a couple of very public mistakes make Mia feel that she isn't up to the job. But this would not be a fairy tale if everyone didn't live happily ever after, so somehow everyone's wishes come true.
Is it any good?
This is a great big luscious lollypop of a movie, terrific fun for girls of any age and for their families, too. It's a terrific movie for any age. It might not be of much interest to boys, though Hathaway is gorgeous (the least realistic part of the movie is the highly ineffective attempt to make her look like an ugly duckling), and there are some cool cars and very funny moments. But it's a wonderful story about growing up, finding ourselves, and taking chances, with lots of great things for families to talk about afterwards.
The queen's head of security (Hector Elizondo in another impeccable performance) quotes Eleanor Roosevelt's famous words, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." And Mia realizes that the important part of being a princess is not what it does for her, but what it makes it possible for her to do for others.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about growing up, choices, and mistakes. Parents can tell kids about some of their own mistakes and fears when they were Mia's age, and what they did to move on from them. They may also want to talk about what teens should consider before deciding to kiss someone, and how important it is to be loyal to true friends.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
It's fun
It's fun, but that's about it. The sex-related thoughts mentioned in the comments are suffice.
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AGE
fine
Great unrealistic fairytale film. I would watch it. Mia does say 'shut up' and I think there may have been some other language. But I would let a 12 year old watch it
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Kid, 11 years old
August 8, 2009
AGE
Good for ages 6 and up.
This movie is awesome except there is a little bit too much mushy kissing and there is a part where people are trying to get a picture of Mia naked.
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AGE
This movie did not deserve a G rating. There was too much emphasis on kissing between 15 year olds. My own 15 year old was shocked by the protrayal of french kissing in a G movie. Adults in the movie assume that 15 year old Mia has sex with a boy because of photographs in the paper of her kissing the boy and appearing naked, clutching a towel to herself.
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AGE
Awesome movie!
I love this movie and have watched it so many times I can't count it on my fingers and toes! Although I love this movie, I think this movie would be better off to be rated PG rather than G. I think this because the kissing is quite full on and also becaus eof the part when Mia was wearing just a towel. They're only small points but I think it pushes the movie closer to a PG classification. This movie is hilarious at times and very sweet too. Worth every cent!
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AGE
Girl Power
I love it!! This is a movie that really always leaves you with a good message. Although, I do think this would be better off rated PG, this movie really is pushing the G rating, I think there is a LOT of french kissing and teenage anst/flirting for a G movie. I don't think it's something I'd want a 3 year old to see.
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AGE
4+
I love this movie and so does my mom. It's HILARIOUS!
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AGE
A film for Little Princesses
Princess Dairies is a Movie based being true to yourself and how important it is to honor your self. It is a lovely movie though there seems to be a bit more of kissing then there should be in aG-rated movie plus they tried to take a picture of Mia as she was naked but not too much problems. It is a wonderful movie made for all little princesses.
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AGE
awesome movie!!!!!!
I saw this movie with my friend when it first came out, it was awesome!!!!!!! I still love it and I own it now... lol!!!!
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AGE
Worth a look
Not a bad movie, but gets a bit too caught up in drama.
Nevertheless, there are strong characters and good messages.
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| Topics: | princesses and fairies, book characters, friendship |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Garry Marshall |
| Cast: | Anne Hathaway, Hector Elizondo, Julie Andrews |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 115 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 3, 2001 |
| DVD release date: | August 3, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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