 | 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. |
Princess: A Modern Fairy Tale
- Review Date: April 15, 2008
- NR
- Genre: Fantasy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Second-rate fairy-tale romance has scary moments.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this mostly live-action movie has many dark, scary sequences that might be disturbing for the very young or those who have trouble distinguishing between fantasy and reality. It isn't simply the animated creature jeopardy (monsters, serpents, beasts), but there are shrouded, ghoulish humans as well, and a mystery that is less suspenseful than confusing. The film's "comedy" involves a character who uses insults like "How gay is that?," "She has lesbian delusions," and "fetus town." The romance, despite the murky circumstances that surround it, is sweet; the princess has all the attributes of royalty: kindness, beauty, intelligence, and courage. It's an odd mix of elements -- a princess, danger, myths, and grown-up sexual insults.
What's the story?
William (Kip Pardue) is a lost soul, a trust-fund kid with no direction in life. Then he meets the strangely private, beautiful Princess Ithaca (Nora Zehetner) at her annual charity ball. A miscommunication leads the princess to believe he is a "Searcher" (a mysterious character who has been sent to help her find a mysterious someone). William, thinking she's just a little crazy but really beautiful and sweet, goes along with it. Their search takes the two of them on a quest in which they and a number of mythical creatures (a mermaid, wood nymphs, and some helpless but scary beasts) are in jeopardy. The story unravels slowly, and it isn't until just before the end that the puzzle of the Princess Ithaca is solved.
Is it any good?
It isn't easy to determine who this made-for-TV movie is meant for. It's part fairy tale romance for little girls, part "dragon killer" mystery for young action fans who aren't very selective, and part modern, not-very-funny insult comedy for grown-ups. The combination doesn't work, especially when none of the elements is well-executed. Even fairy tales depend upon plots that have some logic and consistent rules -- this one doesn't. The hapless hero never gets a chance to be heroic; the beautiful princess is perfect from beginning to end and has no place to grow; and the animated mythical "creatures" are so poorly conceived and realized that they provide the only comic relief.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how special effects are done, including computer animation. Which images are live-action, and which are a combination of live-action and animation? How can you tell?
What do you think about the film's suggestion that the legends surrounding the mythological creatures in the film may be based on some ancient truth?
Why do you think William waited so long to tell Princess Ithaca the truth about his purpose?
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AGE
Garbage highly upset
This movie was not appopiate for kids. It is not a good message and is garbage. It is also showing kids dinking and gay comments,which is not appopriate for their young minds. I was highly upset with the content in this movie.
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AGE
Sweet Princess
My husband and I enjoyed watching this movie with our 4 year old daughter. I suggest watching it with your young child, some of the scenes are a little frightening before you are made aware the Princess cares for mythical creatures.
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AGE
Sexist and just plain awful!
Poorly written, poorly acted. Main two characters are sexist. There is a discussion about things like "...she gave me a book so I could have a sympathetic pregnancy with her...it tells all about what pregnancy does to your wife's body..." Totally inappropriate dialogue for a "family" movie. Shame on you ABC Family!
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AGE
Too scary, sexist, stupid and bad for girls
My girls are 6 and 7 and they were enraptured by the insanely pretty Princess. However, the monsters were REALLY scary and both my kids screamed and burst into tears. They are still talking about it. My kids see a fair bit of stuff, they aren't wimps, the wolf man thing was scary!!
I also thought the "friend" of the main male character was revolting and manipulative and sexist. I didn't like his objectification of the Princess. As others mentioned the homophobia was there too.
Overall the story is still the same old Princess, the whole world revolves around being pretty and getting married. Very disappointing that this stuff is still being made for girls.
Also, they tried to convince us the Princess was 25?? Please.
WHERE are the good stories??
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AGE
Rent in........NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This classic fairy tale has a little twist to it.....the princess needs help to find her sucessor. Great movie. It got a little scary, what is in her dreams, and when they are going to rescue Jitter Bug!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, princesses and fairies |
| Studio: | GAIAM |
| Director: | Mark Rosman |
| Cast: | Kip Pardue, Nora Zehetner |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Run time: | 88 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 30, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | February 3, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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