Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5395 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-10-07
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 111 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
A thoroughly engaging fairy tale that's family friendly without being condescending, The Princess Diaries is your basic Cinderella makeover story given a fresh, affectionate twist courtesy of a game, energetic cast and a screenplay that skirts schmaltz in favour of gentle, effective comedy. Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is a frizzy-haired, glasses-wearing 15-year-old girl whose two highest ambitions are to become invisible and to get a few smooches from the slickly attractive school heartthrob. As a girl who can't stand being the centre of attention so much that she throws up during debate class, she's stunned and horrified when her coolly continental grandmother(Julie Andrews) shows up and informs her that she's the crown princess of the European principality Genovia. Soon enough, Mia has to undertake "princess lessons" (and a makeover) from her queenly grandmother, and eventually she blossoms into a confident, radiant girl despite the worries and pressure that her newfound status brings. What makes The Princess Diaries work is director Garry Marshall's guileless, irony-free approach to the material (based on Meg Cabot's novel). In comparison to most sarcastic, ultra-hip teen comedies, The Princess Diaries is refreshingly and enjoyably square, content to win you over on charm alone and not a slick bag of tricks. Hathaway is a charismatic, appealing role model with a sharp sense of comic timing, and Andrews--who came to stardom as the object of a makeover supreme in My Fair Lady on Broadway--is at her regal best, whether teaching Mia the proper royal wave or learning how to eat a corndog. Both leading ladies are complemented by a finely tuned cast, including Hector Elizondo as Genovia's head of security (and romantic counterpart to Andrews), Heather Matarazzo as Mia's best pal, and Robert Schwartzman as the good guy who ultimately wins Mia's heart. All in all, this is a royal pleasure. --Mark Englehart, Amazon.com

Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Production Featurette A New Cinderella
Audio Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Music Video Myra
Music Video Krystal

Synopsis
Teen actress Anne Hathaway gives an endearing performance in Garry Marshall's delightful Disney comedy, THE PRINCESS DIARIES. Assisted by such seasoned pros as Julie Andrews and Hector Elizondo (a Marshall regular), Hathaway shines here in her first major film role. She plays Mia, a high school misfit who has resigned herself to social invisibility. Mia and her best friend, Lilly (Heather Matarazzo), are outcasts. While Lilly relishes the role, Mia just wishes a cute popular boy she likes, Josh (Erik von Detten), would notice her. Mia's life changes dramatically when her grandmother (Andrews) contacts her and Mia finds out she is heir to the throne of Genovia, a small European country between France and Spain. The klutzy, socially awkward girl doesn't think she's up to the job, but she agrees to be coached in regal manners by her grandmother before deciding if she wants to become a princess. Marshall (PRETTY WOMAN) is clearly in his element directing this light, charming teen comedy. Andrews, perfectly cast as Queen Clarisse Renaldi, makes her character seem both imperious and caring. Hathaway's performance and the presence of teen pop star Mandy Moore assure that young girls, in particular, will enjoy the film.

Customer Reviews

A BIT OF FLUFF THAT IS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY...
This is a charming, light hearted film that is fun for the whole family. It is a bit of fluff that tells the tale of a gawky and shy fifteen year old misfit named Mia, who is, in reality, princess of Genovia.

Mia, played with adolescent charm by beautiful newcomer, Anne Hathaway, is just another adolescent living in San Francisco with her artist mother, when her estranged, paternal grandmother, Queen of Genovia, swoops down on her and tells Mia that she is, in fact, a princess of royal blood and the next ruler of the kingdom of Genovia. Granny, regally played by the stately, always lovely, and seemingly ageless Julie Andrews, is determined to turn her awkward granddaughter into a princess worthy of her crown. Mia, a most reluctant royal, agrees to these "princess" lessons, and along the road to royalty learns a few hard lessons about growing up.

An excellent supporting cast, Hector Elizondo, Heather Matarazzo, Mandy Moore, Caroline Goodall, and Robert Schwartzman contribute to the charm of this film, which provides good, clean fun for the entire family.

BRILLIANT!
This has got to be one of my favourite films ever. This is funny, sad, sweet and touching. What more could you want? Everyone in the family will enjoy this, but I think it will appeal to female teenagers even more, such as myself. BUY THIS NOW!

A lovely and enchanting modern day fairytale.
I first saw this gem of a film in Canada a year and a half ago. I loved it. So I bought it on DVD as soon as it was available because it was one of those films. The story of a bright but terribly shy and geeky school girl, Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway)whose only goal in life is just to survive a day at school with very little embarrassment as possible. Then one day, her wish to be invisible is suddenly put on hold when her strict grandmother (Julie Andrews) arrives into town and announces the shocking news that Mia is to become the next heir to the throne of Genovia. Furious and deeply shocked, Mia undergoes a comical transformation that sees her take 'princess lessons' and making the biggest decision of her life in the space of three weeks.

The scene where we see her managing at the dinner table among all of the guests of her grandmother is hillarious and Miss Hathaway proves she has comical ability. Newcomer Anne Hathaway is a delight as Mia who turns from shy school girl to gorgeous princess. I have to say that Julie Andrews graces the screen with such majesty and presence that she almost steals the film. A wonderful and delightful fairytale suitable for the whole family.