The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

A fun romp for girls of all ages.

G 2004 120 minutes
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Parents say

age 9+

Based on 25 reviews

Kids say

age 8+

Based on 38 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this modern-day fairy tale sequel preserves the lighthearted fish-out-of-water comedy of the original Princess Diaries. Princess Mia is still delightfully overwhelmed by her unexpected ascent to the throne, but now, more grown up, she has to tackle some important matters such as marriage, true love, and her responsibility to the kingdom of Genovia. There are several scenes with romantic kisses, including a couple of the foot-popping variety.

Community Reviews

joy_joy
joy_joy Adult
July 20, 2020
age 12+

Hmm...

I watched the first movie, The Princess Diaries, when I was really little, but I never realized there was a sequel until last night!! It was cute and I definitely recommend, but it's obviously heavy in the romance area. Most women have low mid-drifts and plunging dresses including the main actresses. Mia flirts, has a few forced kisses on her, and looks longingly at certain men. She also falls asleep outside with a main character but clothes stay on!! No sex implied, just a cute evening. But the sleeping couple was recorded and twisted to imply that they did have sex, which they didn't. Mia was forcing herself to get married to someone she didn't love, so she could be Queen. Mia's also spotted in a closet with another man than her fiance, she wasn't doing anything but it's seen as a seducing angle. Oh, yeah, Mia's basically cheating on her fiance- days away from the wedding day. A gay couple is mentioned, a man and his boyfriend. Mia and her bff reply with, "Right on." and bump fists to acknowledge that they approve of the gay couple. Feminism is pushed because it's the 21st century and Genovian traditions/customs are behind the times. There is a sleepover and the clothes are tight low/short. No bad words that I know of. I thought I heard Anne Hathaway say f*ck when she's surprised by her friend hiding in her closet, but I could be wrong.

This title has:

Too much sex
Tempest555
Tempest555 Adult
April 22, 2020
age 12+

Young Adult Themes

I remember watching this movie when it first came out and liked it a lot. Now after watching with my children I think that is appropriate for soon to be teenagers not grade school aged children. The entire movie is about how Mia must get married within 30 days and her challenge with navigating romantic relationships. The cheating, kissing, sneaking out, and reference to one potential suitor being homosexual are all content that I don’t believe appropriate for children under 12. Call me old-fashion. I do like the message at the very end however.
See all 25 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In this sequel set five years after the first film, Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is now a polished young woman ready to follow in her deceased father's footsteps as the heir to the throne of Genovia. Mia's grandmother, Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews), believes it's time for Mia to replace her on the throne. But the scheming Viscount Mabrey (John Rhys-Davies) pushes Parliament to enforce an old law that requires that a princess be married before she can become a queen, and positions his own nephew -- Mia's distant relative -- to become king. So, Mia has 30 days to find a husband, to win over Genovia, and to learn how to be queen. Within a week she is engaged to a sweet and slightly klutzy English duke, Andrew (Callum Blue), but has an "I detest you"-type bickering attraction to Mabrey's nephew, Nicholas (Chris Pine). While capturing headlines with her gaffes, Mia wins over hearts with her goodness and down-to-earth caring. Best friend, Lily (Heather Matarazzo), returns to help her gain her stride and to give Mia a piece of normality in the decidedly unreal palace life.

Is It Any Good?

Like many sequels, THE PRINCESS DIARIES 2: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT loses some of the flavor of the first by trying too hard not to change a thing in the winning formula while telling a different story. The fantasy of being a princess is not the same as that of being a queen. This makeover is more subtle than taming hair and wearing makeup. Mia must establish a connection to the people of Genovia, while maturing and calibrating her own moral compass. The love story is stilted and missing some of the quirky subtlety Hathaway showed in Ella Enchanted, as she appears to fall for a sapphire-eyed suitor who is handsome but shallow. Finally, there is a distracting deluge of overblown characters who labor too hard to keep the movie light, from the ladies' maids to the young guardsman bellowing out orders while wooing Lily.

The scenes between Hathaway and Andrews are lovely, though, as the two are complementary souls. Grandmother Clarisse shelters Mia under the umbrella of her poise and dignity, while Mia reawakens the Queen's sense of impish fun. With Andrews singing -- albeit briefly -- for the first time in years, this sequel is worth watching for the sleepover scene alone.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how this sequel compares with The Princess Diaries. Do you like it as well? Less? More?

  • Familes also might want to discuss how difficult it is to change centuries-old traditions, especially in royal families. Have you seen video footage of any royal weddings, like the 2011 wedding of England's Prince William and Kate Middleton?

  • What do you think Mia might do in the months that follow the movie's end?

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